Page 12 - Moravian Messenger May 2021

Hornsey Moravian Church
Hornsey Moravian Church in London was officially opened on Thursday 24th September 1908 with a service that was led by Bishop E. R. Hassé. The decision to extend the work of the church of the Fetter Lane Congregation was taken on the 3rd March 1907 and after much thought and consideration the plot of land, where the church was to be built, was purchased for £910. Since that time, the church has continued to serve the local area and provide a spiritual base for the Moravian Church in north London. September 1939 saw the completion of our new hall, and the official opening was planned for 26th October. But, sadly before this could take place the country was plunged into the Second World War, and six and half years were to pass before we were free to make use of it.
One Thursday afternoon in the early autumn of 1960, Br Spencer boarded a bus for Stoke Newington, armed with a notebook inherited from Br Farrar containing addresses of Moravian brethren and sisters from the West Indies. This act of mission and outreach would forever enrich the congregation. Today the congregation is predominantly made up of Brothers and Sisters who are of West Indian heritage and who were
ultimately brought to church by that same action.
Many years of
faithful service
to God and the
community
have passed
and brought us to the church as it stands today. It is difficult writing about the church at the present moment because our current situation is, in line with that of other congregations in this province and indeed around the world, quite different from how things 'normally' are. But I will try and make things as clear as possible.
Our services are held every Sunday at 11am and Sunday School meets in our hall part way through the service. Now, these services are being uploaded onto Hornsey's YouTube page and shared about among our members and friends of the congregation via WhatsApp and Facebook. We have our own Facebook Page which is used for keeping everyone up to date with news when there is anything to report. The Congregation love singing and music in worship. It is a
vital part of their expression of Praise. Having our services via this method allows them to continue to sing in worship from the safety of their own homes.
Every year the congregation plays host to a Winter Shelter for the homeless in partnership with the charity 'All People All Places'. However, sadly that was not able to happen this year. Our hall usually sees lots of different people, community groups and exercise classes hiring it. Losing that income for so long has been difficult for the congregation. Also, prior to the pandemic, we had a 'Who Let The Dad's Out' group that was providing a valuable space for fathers to bond with the children and meet other dads too.
I, along with all our members, look forward to a time when we can meet together, sing together and worship God in our words and in our actions. I am sure that there will be many more years of faithful service to come from this blessed part of north London.
Br James Woolford
The Provincial Elder’s Conference
on the passing of HRH, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
The Provincial Elder’s Conference of the Moravian Church in Great Britain & Ireland have expressed their sadness at the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. However, we also rejoice and celebrate a life that was well and long lived in service to his family, country and further afield.
Our prayers are with the Royal Family in the days and weeks ahead. We pray for Her Majesty the Queen; may she find peace and rest in her faith and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 121
Assurance of God’s Protection
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God be with us all now and forever more. Amen.
The Moravian Messenger
Official Journal of the Moravian Church in the British Province. Published monthly by the authority of the Provincial Synod.
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