Important Notices: 1) Revision of Church Electoral Roll. 2) Public Worship remains suspended.
A service aimed at children aged 6 and under is available on by clicking the following link (https://youtu.be/AetTXIW2UJQ).
Revd Mark Eminson leads this service. Watch online.
The service is also available on the Merton Priory Parish YouTube Channel. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZcCK2Iklz5mLmH1OEn3r0w)
Join us from 11am – 12 noon on Zoom for a chance to chat and catch up.
Join Coffee & Chat with this link: https://zoom.us/j/92579023930?pwd=aEI3MjJGRnBMYnVZWkpBT2hHdmdoZz09 Or using this information: Meeting ID: 925 7902 3930 / Passcode: CoffeeTime
Dial in on 020 8080 6591
View Archbishop’s letter to the nation to invite people to join in reflection and prayer.
Monday 1 March – David, bishop, patron of Wales, c. 601
4pm – 6pm Holy Trinity Open
7.00pm Finding Sanctuary via Zoom (contact Jane (jvcrew@talk21.com))
Tuesday 2 March – Chad, bishop, missionary, 672
9am-10am St John’s Open
Wednesday 3 March –
5pm – 6pm Christ Church Open
7.30pm Lent Group (contact Mark to register)
Thursday 4 March
11am – 1pm Holy Trinity Open
3.30pm Lent Group (contact Alison to register)
Friday 5 March
10.30am World Day of Prayer Service via Zoom (from St Andrew’s)
Saturday 6 March
9am – 10am Christ Church Open
Sunday 7 March – THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Revd Alison Judge leads a Service of the Word
11am Coffee after Church (via Zoom)
7.30pm God in the Home via Zoom (contact Jane (jane.lovesey@6dg.co.uk))
Topic will be Effra Road Temple and the wider community
Collect for the Sunday 28th February:
Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,
that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession,
Service limits: Each church has an upper limit for the number of people that can attend a service. For Holy Trinity this is 57, for Christ Church this is 40 and for St John’s this is 30.
Please download the latest bulletin to keep up to date with what is going on at Christ Church. Please visit Church Diary and Rotas to find out who is leading the services. Explore online services at the Merton Priory Parish YouTube Channel.
The annual report of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Merton Priory can be found in the team ministry website.
Public Notice
NOTICE IS GIVEN that we are applying to the Consistory Court of the diocese for permission to carry
out the disposal of 6 ‘redundant’ freestanding pews and eight accompanying photographs. Download the full notice (PDF) .
Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16 & Mark 8.31-end. I always like to hear of Simon Peter! Here he is in today’s Gospel, putting his foot in it again; relatable as ever! Of course, there are special interests here too: at Holy Trinity we have Peter as co-patron...
This is the desert, [using Godly Play desert bag] well a piece of the desert. So many important things happened to the people of God in the desert. And today we think about Jesus driven by the Spirit into the wilderness. The desert is a...
Sermon for Transfiguration 2Kings 2 1-12 & Mark 9 2-11. The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ is observed by many Protestant tradition on the last Sunday before Lent whilst in the Catholic and Episcopal traditions on the 6th of August. In the Protestant tradition,...
Following a joint meeting of the DCCs it was felt, overwhelmingly, that we should remain closed for public worship, especially while the strict national lockdown continues and cases of COVID, albeit down, are still high. We agreed to pay heed to what the Government may...
This Second Sunday before Lent is always a Creation Sunday in the Church of England; perhaps to set Lent within a much broader picture; to open our eyes to God’s loving purposes lest we go in for too much privatised introspection! Psalm 104 is a...
The counting out of days and the meaningful customs and practices associated with them is something that we are missing at the moment. It’s Sunday (well actually it’s Saturday but probably you are watching on Sunday or maybe not), it’s Sunday and we are not...
The Archbishops have written to the nation to invite people to join in reflection and prayer each day from 1 February at 6 p.m. The Church of England website also has resources (such as this prayer for the nation booklet; there are others for those who wish to...
Sermon for 3rd Sunday of Epiphany and week of prayer for Christian Unity John15:1-17 & 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Download the service sheet. Download the reading for this Sunday. Today the 6th day of prayer for Christian unity falls on the 3rd Sunday in Epiphany...
The whole people of God of our three churches are back at home and absent from our church buildings for the third period since last March. We are in solidarity with the nation, we are supporting our NHS; but we are sad not to gather...
After a combined DCCs meeting on Tuesday, we voted by a clear majority to close our churches for Sunday and midweek worship. This was with a heavy heart, but felt the right thing to do, given the spread of the virus and the terrible strain...
Dear brothers and sisters, I am sure many of you saw the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday evening informing us that we are now in a third lockdown. The Bishop of London made a statement shortly afterwards, which you can read below: churches are allowed...
In a normal year at Christmas there is a time when everyone has to make plans and decide who they are going to visit this year. Married couples or partners will be making sure to take it in turns between parents, Aunts and Uncles which...
In Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians he encouraged them to rejoice always, this runs contrary to what most of us are feeling with the kind of year we have all had. Some have lost close family and friends to the virus, jobs and homes...
Christmas Eve (24th December) *10.00pm Midnight Communion *11.30pm Midnight Communion A recorded Crib Service will be available on the Merton Priory YouTube Channel. Christmas Day (25th December) *10.30am Family Communion *We are delighted to welcome you to Christ Church to celebrate Christmas. Please come...
A virtual Carol Service at Christ Church, Colliers Wood, for 2020. Led by Revd Alison Judge, Vicar at Christ Church. Please donate to our Foodbank Appeal. The above video is also available in the Merton Priory Parish Youtube Channel. With grateful thanks to all contributors....
In Roman-occupied Palestine during the 1st Century an extraordinary, shocking event happened that shook the Jewish faith to its foundations. It was a pivotal moment in the history of religion, and took place at the heart of the Holy Land. Download the service sheet. Now...
Advent 1st Sunday Year B, Mark 13:24-37 To begin I like to ask if you can recollect the start of the school year a couple of months ago which seems to be a long time ago. Now that you are thinking about the start of...
Thanksgiving and Loss/Christ the King (Matthew 25.31-end) If today’s service is packaged as one which is a gift to our community and to our cultural moment; tapping into the broad sense in which we have lost so much this year; but might also have...
Do I know you? A question I ask myself as someone comes towards me in the street; since we all started wearing masks it can be tricky. Added to which we are all trying to steer a course away from each other, and so, getting...
National Safeguarding Communications 2020 Merton Priory Churches are supporting National Safeguarding Adults Week #SafeguardingAdultsWeek to make people aware of the different types of abuse that some people experience. National Adult Safeguarding week starts on Monday 16 November – is an excellent opportunity to promote adult...
1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 & Matthew 25.1-13 Here we are, my brothers and sisters, in a second national lockdown. We may feel glad about this step or resigned to it or disappointed or angry or all of the above and more. I wonder whether, as the...
Please find below two CofE resources for praying for the nation this month: Personal Prayer for the nation Personal Prayers written by Bev Mason, Bishop of Warrington
Tuesday, 03 November 2020 Dear brothers and sisters, You will all have seen and heard that we are entering a second national lockdown this Bonfire Night, which includes the closing of churches for public worship for the month. We, and so many others, will feel...
Service led by Rev’d. Alison Judge
Last Sunday After Trinity, Racial Justice, Black History Month
Memorial Service: 1 Nov 3.00pm at St John the Divine, High Path, SW19 2JY If you would like the name of a loved one remembered either write their name on the paper at one of the churches or email Alison (revalisonjudge@gmail.com). Space is limited but...
Sermon on Racial Justice Sunday: Luke 18 1-8 & Genesis 32.22-31 Today we mark Racial Justice Sunday which seem appropriate seeing that it falls within October which is celebrated as Black History Month. I will come back to this later, the two scripture readings we...
Racial Justice Sunday Service at the Christ Church, Colliers Wood – by Rev’d Alison Judge “Whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. The saying about getting to understand someone by walking a mile in their shoes is one...
Harvest Thanksgiving Service at the Holy Trinity, Wimbledon – by Rev’d Mark Eminson. Download the service sheet.
Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity. ‘By whose authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority.’ Ask the chief priests and the elders as Jesus is teaching in the Synagogue. Download the service sheet. Describe to me someone in authority, what do...
Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity. Sermon on forgiveness by by Nick Mayhew-Smith. Download the service sheet. Found some chocolates that had been left for Alison. But I was hungry and I ate them all down quickly. We can move on to the service though because...
Homily Trinity 13: 6 September 2020 – Ezekiel 33.7-11 & Matthew 18.15-20: Today has been designated as Climate Sunday and it begins a short period which, in recent years, has been called Creationtide: it fits in with the usual time for Harvest Festivals and culminates...
Homily Trinity 11 – 23 August 2020: Romans 12.1-8 & Matthew 16.13-20 ‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.’ Download...
Ninth Sunday After Trinity The two readings morning challenged me to evaluate my personality on the risk-taking spectrum where I consider myself to be. I am not interested in parachuting out of plane or going to the racing track because am terrified of the...
Eighth Sunday After Trinity Download the homily [ PDF ]. Download the service sheet [ PDF ].
The Archdeacons of the Diocese of Southwark have been putting together a series of Sermons and Services which we hope will be useful over the next six weeks – especially if you’re going to be taking a period of well deserved leave over the summer....
Sixth Sunday After Trinity Download the service sheet [ PDF ]. Hellfire, brimstone and the eternal flames of damnation lie in wait. I’m joking of course. It’s probably not the first time however in the past 150 years when the pulpit of this church has been...
Fifth Sunday After Trinity Whilst we’ve been in lockdown I have been having some lovely chats with people on the phone. Keeping in touch with members of the congregation and, to be honest, also being rather more in touch with my friends than I usually...
Rev’d Alison Judge explains how important it is to be thankful for the things that we enjoy in life.
Fourth Sunday After Trinity Download the service sheet.
From 5th of July, Sunday services will resume in the Churches of our parish. Please see our bulletin for the detailed schedule of services as well as church opening times. Update as of 23 July 2020: Face masks need to be worn by all those...
Monday, 29 June 2020 Dear Friends, We are pleased to send you news that all of the churches in the team are now open for private prayer: Monday 3pm – 7pm Holy Trinity Open (3-4pm priority for those shielding) Tuesday 8am – 10am St John...
Petertide, in the contemporary Church, is the preferred time for ordinations. The small-print of my diary is littered with my own and friends’ anniversaries of ordination during these days; in fact, today is my twelfth anniversary of ordination as a deacon and eleventh anniversary as...
The Bishops, Archdeacons and Dean of the Diocese are calling the people of the Diocese to observe two minutes’ silence at 11.00am on Windrush Day, Monday 22 June. Bishop Christopher writes: “I rejoice at and take pride in the diversity within the Diocese of Southwark...
The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.(Genesis 21:8) Today is Father’s Day a special day when we say thank you to our fathers. In the dictionary there are many meanings to the word...
Prayers and Scripture for private use in church or at home, and Prayers for Racial Healing. Download the Prayers and Scripture for private use in church or at home [ PDF ]. Download the Prayer for Racial Healing [ PDF ]. Please bring this...
The Government has announced that, beginning this week, our buildings may be open for private prayer, but not public worship. This is a good beginning and we hope church members and the general public will avail themselves of this opportunity. If you come, you will...
We are sent out to proclaim the values of the Kingdom. ‘For while we were still weak Christ died for the ungodly’; that’s us. This is not an invitation to feel how bad we are but a statement about how astonishingly and unfailing generous God...
Rev’d Alison Judge explains the story of Jonah and the Whale that teaches the need for obedience to God’s instructions and also God’s grace that gives us a second chance to fulfil our purpose.
Psalm 122:8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name Every morning when I first get up – I am an early riser – I turn on the...
Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices. — St. Teresa, The bookmark of Teresa of Ávila, From Wikipedia, source Teresa...
‘Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth’ (Isaiah 40.28). YHWH, the Divine Name, I AM WHO I AM, the source of all being; the Father who speaks through His Word...
Prayers for the week, by Joy Lyons Open our eyes Lord and help us to see you in the awesomeness of your creation, but also to see you in one another needs at this time of crisis. Open our ears Lord and help us...
The locked door. Jesus, as we remember in the Easter Season, was not troubled by a locked door. One of his most important appearances was of course in the room where his disciples gathered after the Crucifixion. Afraid for their very lives, they had locked...
For online service on the Feast of Pentecost, please follow this link.https://www.christchurchsw19.org.uk/sunday-service-feast-pentecost A homily for Pentecost Sunday 2020 by the Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston A Pentecost message from the Bishop of Southwark A ‘thank you’ from the Archdeacons of the...
On Sunday, the 30th May, as we celebrate the feast of pentecost we can all share together the Agape even whilst we are separated and in our different homes. Download the Service Sheet [ PDF ]. Section 1: Introduction, Reading and Talk – Revd Alison Judge...
We shall be having another Messy Church online-gathering on Saturday 13 June and our theme will be the story of God’s call to Jonah (Jonah 1). So if you would like to join in here are some creative things that you could make or do....
Are you a patient person? I hope that I am when it comes to people but I know that when it comes to life in general I am not very patient. I like to know what is going to happen – and what I need...
Prayers for the week, by Liz Holder From Christian Aid: A prayer for times of isolation ‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come… will be able to separate us from the love...
Thy Kingdom Come – Christian week of prayer from Ascension to eve of Pentecost – By Rev’d Belemo Alagoa. Download the service sheet [ PDF ]. Download the collect and reading for this sunday [ PDF ]. A couple of days ago the church ...
Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven, and the end of his earthly ministry. In some ways it is an end point in the Christian story, Jesus vanishing, closure on that chapter of our evolution, closure on an earthly life, closure on...
“DO NOT BE AFRAID” There are a lot of reasons to be afraid just now. Am I or my family going to get the coronavirus? Will I survive? Will I have a job to go back to? Am I going to be able to pay...
O God our Father, you invite us to pray, and you grant what we ask, when we ask according to your will. Hear me as I tremble in this darkness, and stretch forth your hand to me. Shine your light before me. Recall me from...
Sunday Service – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday – By Rev’d Alison Judge. “The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands.” Download the service sheet [...
Tuesday 12 May 2020 Dear brothers and sisters, ‘So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith’ (Galatians 6.10). Eastertide greetings to you all in these strangest of lockdown...
‘Trust & Obey’, by Andy Coles. I am reminded of the Old Gospel Hymn, written around the time of Moody the famous American Evangelist, and well known by previous generations of Sunday School Children… which goes onto say ‘For there’s no other way to be...
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy, In this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, And lift up all who are brought low, That we may rejoice in your comfort, knowing that nothing can separate us from...
Sunday Service – Fifth Sunday of Easter -Stewardship Sunday – By Rev’d Mark Eminson. Download the Collect and the Reading for this Sunday. Introduction – Holy Trinity Vicarage drive Alleluia. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia. We thank God...
A Messy Church celebration from Merton Priory Team. As part of our Messy Church initiative Rev’d Alison Judge shares the story of Noah’s ark and God’s Rainbow along with the art work done by the Children of the Merton Priory Team.
Evelyn shares below a prose poem from Paul’s letter to the Colossians Chp 1. The cosmic dimensions of who Christ Jesus is revealed with awe and wonder. In the second half we read that Christ brings about a New Creation. Download the full document in PDF.
Food and practical support during Covid-19 Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC) Volunteer Task Force Help for isolated households and those more at risk of COVID-19, Monday to Friday. To get help: E-mail: help@mvsc.co.uk Telephone: 020 8685 2272. In addition, an urgent COVID-19 Community Response Hub...
During the current Covid-19 restrictions It is vital that we continue to safeguard those who need our help. Please download the Covid-19 related safeguarding guidelines. HT Safeguarding 020420 Thought [PDF] Safeguarding matters domestic abuse [ PDF ] Think Safeguarding [ PDF ] For more information about safeguarding at...
Prayers – Mardelle Jordan I will lift up my eyes to the hills form where cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. For those who have to make decisions that...
The Good Shepherd – John 10:1-10. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who together with God leads us to what we need, food, water, air, true security, rest and real love. When we trust Him we are free to enjoy all the good gifts fully as...
Our next Messy Church is due to take place on 9 May and will again be a virtual celebration. The theme will be Noah’s Ark and you can read the story in Genesis starting at Chapter 6 and going through to Chapter 9 verse 17. There...
In this video homily, Rt Rev’d Dr Richard Cheetham talk about something which points to the deepest truths about reality, and about life, and about God.
In this message, Bishop Richard talks about the the transition from fear to a profound peace in the presence of the risen Christ.
Archbishop Justin Welby explains the five (5) reasons for why the church buildings are closed.
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) promotes the study, practice and improvement of music in worship. In the absence of all of the usual routines of life, we RSCM has put together a whole range of initiatives, which will help to hold everyone together. For...
Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your SonJesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on thecross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who...
Letter from Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops of the Church of England to all clergy in the Church of England Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Stay home, protect the NHS and save lives We are writing further to you given the rapidly changing nature of...
Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close in London in response to Covid-19. All public worships are suspended. The following are the letters circulated by Church authorities in response to coronavirus: Letter from Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England....
Following on from the Prime Minister’s message on 23 March, the Diocese of Southwark announces: Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close in London. London is seeing a huge increase in the number of people falling sick with COVID-19. We...
Join in us worship and prayer recorded by Rev’d Mark Eminson – Team Rector. During this challenging season, let us come together through digital sources to share our faith and exemplify the hope and peace that God offers to all of us. (Audio Recording)
Video Message from Rev’d Mark Eminson on Mothering Sunday. Coronavirus Pandemic: Thought for the Week 21.3.20, by Mark Eminson Here we are, brothers and sisters, in these unprecedented times, on the eve of a very untypical Mothering Sunday: no church services, no meals out or...
The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ has been used historically to describe the means of grace by which a person, prevented for some serious reason from sharing in a celebration of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the communion of Jesus Christ. The form of prayer below offers...
If it is not possible for people to worship together, the various Church of England apps for Daily Prayer and Reflections are a wonderful resource and unite us in prayer. Alongside them, we have crafted two simple acts of worship, particularly geared to those who...
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church” in the face of the coronavirus crisis. The service, including prayers, hymns and a short sermon, will...
Message from Mark Eminson, Team Rector of Merton Priory Team. Download in PDF Wednesday, 18 March, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Many of you will have heard that, in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have directed that...
Wimbledon food bank is run by local people for local people to ensure we can continue to stop people going hungry. We collect food products at Church from people and handover to the food bank. If you wish to donate, please follow this link to offer a onetime gift or a regular gift.
Merton Priory – including Christ Church – is a founder member of the newly-launched Merton Citizens organisation, affiliated to Citizens UK. Merton Citizens will be campaigning for
At the launch events, on 19 April, Merton councillors from all major parties pledged to support these goals.
The Merton Priory Team Ministry has a Mission Action Plan, including Objectives for each Church and for the Parish as a whole.
For Christ Church, the summary is:
Christ Church is Open:
For more details, download the full Mission Action Plan.
