HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Trinitarian
The Newsletter for the Congregation & Friends of Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Volume 4 Issue 3 www.holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk Christmas 2008

Topping Out!
The Revd Rob Gillion
‘a comprehensive church open all
day , every day for everybody’

Holy Trinity Sloane Square

Sloane Street
London
SW1X 9BZ
United Kingdom
Office Phone: +44 (0)20 7730 7270
Office Fax: +44 (0)20 7730 9287
e-mail: info@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Website: www.holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Rector & Area Dean of Chelsea: The Revd Rob Gillion
rector@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Assistant Priest: The Revd Graham Rainford
email: priest@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk As Rector I was topping out blessing I INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Trinitarian was designed & edited by Stephanie Carey, published by Holy Trinity Church Sloane Square
Effective 1 January 2009: determined to see readily agreed.
Awareness Foundation (formerly the TFCC) the work that has The idea was to climb Awareness
been done on the a few ladders to a 3
Director: The Revd Nadim Nassar Foundation
Office phone: +44 (0)20 7730 8830 Church, so when it space suitable for a
Email: director@awareness-foundation.com was suggested that I prayer and a blessing. The Visit 6
Website: www.awareness-foundation.com might join Lee We also needed some
Gardner, the Site photographs of the St Nicholas 8
Morning & Evening Prayer is said daily, Monday to Friday, at 9.00 am & 5.30 pm, Saturday 10.30 am & 4.30 pm Manager, and Dan event. I asked Janine,
The Eucharist is celebrated on Wednesdays at 6.30 pm, and Thursdays at 1.10 pm
Martin, the Surveyor, my wife, to accompany Services &
to offer an informal us with her camera. 11
Events
On Sundays, the Eucharist is Said at 8.45 am, and Sung at 11 am.
 PAGE 2 T R I NI T A R I A N HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE T R I NI T A R I A N PAGE 11

extraordinary height of the finial but

views of in the heart of the
Services and Events
London, the Church. Sun 4 January, Epiphany Weds 4 February Weds 4 March
exquisite new 8:45 am Holy Communion 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
11:00 am Sung Eucharist Healing Eucharist (Said) Healing Eucharist (Said)
carvings and felt P: The Revd Graham Rainford
“Unless the LORD Thurs 5 February Thurs 5 March
how proud John
builds the house, Tues 6 January 1:10 pm Said Eucharist 1:10 pm Said Eucharist
Dando Sedding, 7:00 pm
those who build it Epiphany Carol Service Sun 8 February, Sun 8 March, 2nd of Lent
the or ig in al
labour in vain.” A celebration of Christ in Mission Education Sunday 8:45 am Holy Communion
architect of Holy 8:45 am Holy Communion
Psalm 127:1
Trinity, would Weds 7 January 11:00 am Sung Eucharist 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
have been that 6:30 pm A: Andy Yarrow P:The Revd Canon David Hutt
Healing Eucharist (Said) Principal of the Chelsea Academy
craftsmen are Weds 11 March
Almighty God, We Thurs 8 January Weds 11 February 6:30 pm Said Eucharist
still offering their
give you thanks for 1:10 pm Said Eucharist 6:30 pm Said Eucharist 7:30 pm Awareness Course
artistic gifts for
the skill and Sun11 January, Thurs 12 February Thurs 12 March
the glory of
craftsmanship of Baptism of Christ 1:10 pm Said Eucharist 1:10 pm Said Eucharist
God. A touch of 8:45 am Holy Communion
those who have
heaven. We 11:00 am Sung Eucharist Sun 15 February, Sun 15 March, 3rd of Lent
worked on the P: The Revd Nadim Nassar 2nd before Lent 8:45 am Holy Communion
came down to 8:45 am Holy Communion 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
restoration of this
earth slowly and Weds14 January 11:00 am Sung Eucharist P: The Revd Rob Gillion
church to your 6:30 pm Said Eucharist P: The Revd Nadim Nassar
She doesn’t have a warmed ourselves with
honour and glory. Weds 18 March
great head for heights! some mince pies and Thurs 15 January Weds 18 February 6:30 pm Said Eucharist
May those who come 1:10 pm Said Eucharist 6:30 pm Said Eucharist 7:30 pm Awareness Course
When we reached the hot drink.
here to find you be
first level Lee We look forward to a Sun 18 January, Thurs 19 February Thurs 19 March
filled with the
suggested we might go Thanksgiving service 2nd of Epiphany 1:10 pm Said Eucharist 1:10 pm Said Eucharist
everlasting light of 8:45 am Holy Communion
a little higher to reach with our generous 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
your love, through Sun 22 February, Sun 22 March,
a better vantage point. Patron, the Earl P: The Revd Rob Gillion Next before Lent Mothering Sunday
Jesus Christ our 8:45 am Holy Communion 8:45 am Holy Communion
This happened at Cadogan, later in the
Lord. Amen. Weds 21 January 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
every level until he New Year, but not 6:30 pm Said Eucharist P: The Revd Rob Gillion 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
uttered the immortal perhaps at the dizzy 3:00 pm Teatime Recital P: The Revd Rob Gillion
Thurs 22 January
words ‘it’s only another 1:10 pm Said Eucharist Weds 25 February Weds 25 March,
six ladders to go until Ash Wednesday The Annunciation
Sun 25 January, 8:00 am 6:30 pm Said Eucharist
the top!’ So it was that Conversion of St Paul Holy Communion with Ashing 7:30 pm Awareness Course
we reached the roof of 8:45 am Holy Communion 1:10 pm
the building, and 11:00 am Sung Eucharist Holy Communion with Ashing Thurs 26 March
P: The Revd Rob Gillion 7:00 pm 1:10 pm Said Eucharist
offered prayers of 3:00 pm Teatime Recital Sung Eucharist with Ashing
thanksgiving and P: The Revd Rob Gillion Sun 29 March, Passion Sunday
Weds 28 January 8:45 am Holy Communion
blessing on all those 6:30 pm Said Eucharist Thurs 26 February 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
who worked on the 1:10 pm Said Eucharist P: The Revd Nadim Nassar
Thurs 29 January 3:00 pm Teatime Recital
project as we gathered 1:10 pm Said Eucharist Sun 1 March, 1st of Lent
around the finial on the 8:45 am Holy Communion
very top of the Church. Sun 1 February, Candlemas 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
8:45 am Holy Communion P:The Revd Graham Rainford
We then took in the 11:00 am Sung Eucharist
P: The Revd Graham Rainford
 PAGE 10 T R I NI T A R I A N
‘Look towards the east, O Jerusalem,
and see the glory that is coming from God’
The Revd Graham Rainford
the crown’ of
Holy Trinity
Church. Visitors
come especially
to see them.
Holy Trinity is
slowly being
unwrapped for
Christmas – as a
gigantic present
f o r t h e
community we
seek to serve.
Once the wraps
are off we have a
responsibility to
This scriptural phrase is interpret the building to
offered daily at Morning those who visit and
Prayer during the worship here. Many of
season of Advent. This us may have forgotten
year the phrase has a what the building really
special significance as looks like on the outside
we have enjoyed and we will be in for a
through these early surprise when we see it
days of Advent the for the first time in
almost a year.
gradual uncovering of
the East window as the Another s c ri p t u r a l
scaffolding is phrase at daily Morning
dismantled and the Prayer is: ‘Like the sun
glory of the morning in the morning sky, the
Saviour of the world will
light can once more
dawn’. As we await the
stream through the
dawning of our Saviour
newly cleaned stained
we can reflect upon the
glass. Indeed we can
stories told in the
‘see the glory that is
stained glass. The
coming from God’.
windows are lifeless
The stained glass
unless they are
windows, especially the
illuminated by the
East window, are the
most significant ‘jewel in intensity of the morning
HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE T R I NI T A R I A N PAGE 3
Trinity Foundation for Christianity
and Culture Changes Name
light. We too are
lifeless unless we An Announcement from Christopher Bunting
allow the intensity of
Jesus, the Light of the Awareness Foundation will be unveiled internationally on 1 January
World, to illuminate 2009
our lives. It is then that The Trinity Foundation for Christianity and Culture (TFCC) is pleased to
we, like this glorious announce that as of 1 November 2008, it will become known as:
building, will shine in
the world to the glory
of God. We too will
need to be interpreted
by others. Will they be
able to read God’s
story in our lives? Will
they be able to see
through us and see
God? Will we be able
to tell our story and
His story as they have
met, combined and
become one?
Or, will we want to
keep the covering on
The name, together compromising their Foundation works to
our story of faith and
keep others from
with the tag line “a path beliefs - while make the Awareness
being able to interpret to peace” and a brand respecting difference. Course available to
us as people who new graphic identity, The new name should peoples across the
reveal the story of God have been instituted to also be easier to world. 2) The
in his world? communicate more remember and less Awareness Forum
clearly the work of the confusing than the consists of online
‘Almighty God, give us Foundation – to longer version it programming, special
Grace to cast away increase awareness replaces. events such as
the works of darkness among Christians of The Foundation has dinners, conferences
and to put on the their own faith, and two key vehicles: 1) and lectures, as well
armour of light, now in
that of their The Awareness a s p u b l i c
the time of this mortal
neighbours, so that Course is the commentary on
life, in which your Son
they can live in a Foundation’s primary topical issues.
Jesus Christ came to
diverse society without e d u c a t i o n a l G r e a t e r
us in great humility.’
fear and without programme, and the understanding
 PAGE 4 T R I NI T A R I A N HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE T R I NI T A R I A N PAGE 9

among religions and world. Foundation has been challenges presented established and can available the
among peoples will Building a strong brand based here at Holy in the Year of the further develop to resources needed to
ultimately defeat everywhere the Trinity since it’s Child. Holy Trinity provide opportunities make it a success,"
extremism, and help Awareness Foundation conception as TFCC Church has an for Christian nurture. said Archbishop of
nurture an environment operates is key to its in 1993 and we’re ex c ellent wor k ing The Year of the Child York , Dr John
where people can live success if more people extremely pleased relationship not only at Holy Trinity will Sentamu. "Young
together in peace. in more parts of the that this mutually with our own Church place children and people all over the
The new logo world are to be beneficial and fruitful School but also with young people at the country need to hear
incorporates the name reached. r elations hip c an Garden House School. heart of our work in the words of Christ's
of the Foundation and The Revd Rob Gillion, continue.’ There are also many m iss ion, wor s hip, love for them in all
the tag line with the Rector of Holy Trinity For further opportunities to education. manner of ways. So
letters intertwined to said: ‘The Awareness information on the engage with other "In the lead up to the too, we the Church
represent the work of the schools in our local Year of the Child 2009 need to hear afresh
integration of 21st A w a r e n e s s community. I hope to it is my hope that God speaking to us
Century global society. “Greater Foundation and the see Holy Trinity individual churches through the life and
The dove – understanding Awareness Course Church being used as and Christian witness of children.
international symbol of among religions please contact: an excellent resource denominations Come and join the
p e a c e a n d for Religious throughout the country celebration, be
and among Christopher Bunting
reconciliation – in the Education. Our own will opt in and make challenged and
second “o” of peoples will CEO Junior Church is well inspired.
“foundation” reflects ultimately defeat A w a r e n e s s
the vision of peaceful extremism” Foundation New Bishop of Kensington Announced
coexistence around the +44 (0)20 7730 8830
It has been announced am looking forward the London diocese
that the Queen has enormously to serving from 1992-1995 and
Awareness Course at Holy Trinity approved the in partnership with the then as Associate
nomination of Canon c l e r g y a n d Vicar at Christ
The Revd Nadim Nassar
Paul Williams to be our congregations across Church Clifton,
new Area Bishop. He the area in supporting Bristol from 1995-
Awareness Foundation challenges Christians was written to help us
is the Rector of St and encouraging their 1999. He has been
has been working very face living in a rapidly make sense of our
James Gerrards Cross mission. Rector of St James
hard to revise the and aggressively faith in a world which
with Fulmer, in the He will be consecrated Gerrards Cross with
Awareness Course to changing world. It is looks at God and
Diocese of Oxford. a bishop by the Fulmer since 1999,
make it more exciting, not acceptable to call faith as awkward and
Canon Paul writes: Archbishop of and an Honorary
accessible and user ourselves Christians absurd.
“I am understandably Canterbury in St Paul’s Canon of Christ
friendly. We at Holy unless we engage with God astonished us
honoured to have been Cathedral on 25th of Church Oxford since
Trinity will have the the world around us when He came and
invited to take on this March. 2007.
first access to the new and find our place and became one of us.
new role in the wider Paul (age 40) trained He is married to
materials. “Citizens of role in it. In times of He keeps His
church. West London for ordained ministry at Sarah, and they have
Two Kingdoms” will be crisis, people turn to amazing work of love
is full of churches, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. three boys, aged 5, 8
our Lent Course in faith in order to receive among us all the time
large and small, doing He served his title at St and 9.
2009. It is a course encouragement and even in a time of loss
outstanding work and I James, Muswell Hill, in
which deals with the guidance. This course or poverty or even
 PAGE 8 T R I NI T A R I A N
St Nicholas & the Year of the Child
The Revd Graham Rainford
On 5th December, the being encouraged to
Eve of the Feast of St help make 2009 'a
Nicholas, the children year to remember' for
of Holy Trinity C of E young people with the
Primary School launch of an
welcomed St Nicholas inter denom inational
at a special service in Year of the Child, to
church. The children coincide with the 30th
gathered around St anniversary of the
Nicholas, sang carols, United Nations'
listened to the story of International Year of
their patron saint, then the Child.
received from St This is an ideal
Nicholas, gifts of opportunity for the
chocolate coins to be Church to adopt 2009
shared with their as a celebration of
friends and family. children and childhood
The legends and by: reviewing our work
traditions associated with children and
with St Nicholas are young people,
centuries old and have celebrating their
enriched the contribution to the life
celebration of Advent of the Church and of
and Christmas by wider society and
placing children and challenging the Church
young people at the to fresh vision and
heart of mission. expression, inspired by
Church leaders are the spirit of the child.
HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE T R I NI T A R I A N PAGE 5
death. His hand is economical and 13 th May. Each
a l w a ys stretched political earthquakes Session will begin at
toward us in order to surrounding us. 7.30 pm and finish by
embrace us and show The course will start on 9 pm. Refreshments
us His infinite love. Wednesday 11th March will be available after
“Citizens of Two and run until 1st April. the evening Eucharist
Kingdoms” is a course We shall have a break which starts at 6.30
about the lifestyle of for Easter, and start pm. For further
the Kingdom of God the second part of the information, contact
and how to live it here course on 22nd April. the Holy Trinity office.
and now despite all the The course finishes on
It is an opportunity to THE AWARENESS COURSE
make 2009 a year in
which the issues,
injustices and
challenges facing CITIZENS OF TWO KINGDOMS
young people today
can be highlighted
and for work with Making sense of our faith in the 21st Century
children and young
people to be
celebrated. It is an Begins Wednesday 11th March 2009
ideal chance to
facilitate new at Holy Trinity Church
initiatives with and for
young people. It has Course runs every Wednesday evening 11th March - 1st April
so many strategic
possibilities not just
Two week Easter break then 22nd April - 13th May.
for celebrating at an
event, but also Said Eucharist 6.30 pm
lasting change and Refreshments 7.15 pm
growth.
One of my Course Runs 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm
responsibilities as
Assistant Priest at For more info contact the church office on
Holy Trinity is to
020 7730 7270 or email
ensure that the
Church embraces the info@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
opportunities and
 PAGE 6 T R I NI T A R I A N
The Visit
A Theatrical Happening at Holy Trinity
Max Morgan-Witts, Churchwarden, offers a personal appraisal
Oh no, not amateur featuring Father Rob
dramatics at Holy Gillion as a typical
Trinity! overworked vicar
It just goes to show weighed down by
how wrong one can be; preparations for
this was a first-rate, Christmas - when he
professional piece of learns that there is a
entertainment. Father visitor in the offing, no
Rob, who was once a less than “the son of
professional actor, had the Boss”, who is to
taken quite a gamble in materialize in his
deciding to put it on so church and stay as his
soon after his arrival as guest over the festive
Rector of Holy Trinity. season. He promises
Had he and the play to be no trouble. And
been a flop…it doesn’t so the stage is set.
bear thinking about. When my fellow
But it was anything but. churchwarden, Charles
For readers who could Longbottom, and I first
not attend on the night, interviewed Father Rob
a brief explanation. for the position of
The Visit was billed as Rector, we knew a little
a one-man show about him. We knew
HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE HOLY T RI NI TY S LOANE S QUARE T R I NI T A R I A N PAGE 7
And so he has turned nevertheless kept very more importantly, an
out, with more strings busy on stage. And of underlying truth, in
to his bow than your course there was a this case the
average incumbent. bevy of backroom message of
On the night, staff, from directors to Christianity. Fr Rob
November 20th, The film cameramen to convincingly
Visit had a large and helpers who controlled conveyed the
distinguished the lighting and the necessary emotions.
audience, including sound and tidied up It was a genuine tour
our Patron, Lord the church afterwards de force, and we can
Cadogan, who so that the next day no only hope that The
enthusiastically one would know that Visit will be seen
entered into the spirit something rather again locally soon,
of the occasion, exceptional had perhaps on a wider
seemingly prompting happened there the stage.
Father Rob from time night before. The proceeds from
to time from his seat in The Visit is a light- the production mean
the front row. Frank hearted piece and in that a cheque for
Williams, the vicar in common with most nearly £2000 will be
Dad’s Army, was good comedies, donated to Children
he was Area Dean of there, adding a touch contains a measure of in Need.
Chelsea as well as of TV glamour and the pathos and, possibly
Vicar of St Saviour Worshipful the Mayor
and of St Simon Councilor Joanna
Zelotes, that he had Gardener added a bit
been a prison of Borough glamour.
chaplain in Hong Father Rob has
Kong, before that an periodically presented
actor, and that he The Visit since 2006 in
regularly appeared all sorts of places,
on the radio with from the Cathedral of
Terry Wogan. St John the Divine in
Additionally the New York to
Bishop of London, Wormwood Scrubs.
Richard Chartres, The play is billed as a
thought he was, “a “one-man show”, but
good performer”, a in a way it was no
description open to such thing. For a start
various there was a second
interpretations but, all player, and a woman
in all, this Father Rob at that, a non-speaking
sounded interesting. verger who