The Advent & Christmas Edition of Parkside Post, the parish magazine of St Paul's Wimbledon Parkside, is now available!  As you would expect, the magazine has a distinctly festive appearance and contains details of all the events taking place in and around St Paul's Church and Community Centre this Advent and Christmas season. The cover image depicts the Nativity scene from our newly restored reredos behind the high altar at St Paul's. This magnificent piece of church art has been brought back to its original gilded glory thanks to the generous support of so many. Do drop in to enjoy it this season. After all, we are 'the Christmas church'!

In her introduction to this edition of Parkside Post, Revd Susan reflects on how we might enrich our lives and the lives of others by extending the hand of friendship and hospitality to those around us in our community, especially those who are lonely or marginalised, becoming aware of their challenges and responding to them as best we are able.  This gesture is symbolised in the Mexican tradition of 'La Posada', or 'inn', by which local families in the days before Christmas re-enact the search of Mary and Joseph for a place to stay on their journey to Bethlehem by symbolically bringing figurines of the holy couple to the houses of neighbours. After prayers and refreshments, the models are hosted for the night before being taken by that household on to the next family or individual. At St Paul's, we will be reaching out to our neighbours with our own 'Posada' this Advent, as we imagine a future based on love, kindness and hospitality.

On page 12, we share some wonderful news of our Southwark Pastoral Auxiliary, Joan Endean, who came to the the end of over 20 years ministry to St Paul's, the parish and the diocese, this year. Joan was joined by Revd Susan and members of the congregation at a lively and full service held at Southwark Cathedral on 8th October, led by Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark.

You will also find inside dates and times of all our church services during Advent and Christmas. You can also keep up to date on our website.

If you live in the parish, a copy should already have been delivered to your door.  If for any reason you have not seen it yet, do please download the digital version here: Parkside Post Advent & Christmas 2023.pdf

Happy reading!