Dear Friends,

A Christian conservation group is fighting the Ghana government in court over plans to mine bauxite in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. The protected highland forest north of the capital, Accra, is home to more than 700 species of butterflies, 239 different birds, and 1,134 plants and also provides water for millions of people.

The government reportedly granted a license to the Chinese state-owned Sinohydro Corp. to mine bauxite and build a refinery for the production of aluminium to pay back a $2 billion loan for infrastructure projects across the country. Experts say the mine would be catastrophic for plants and wildlife, not to mention the climate and clean water.

“We thought that if we didn’t take this step of faith, then we would not have acted well as Christians who are stewards of God’s creation,” said Seth Appiah-Kubi, the national director of A Rocha Ghana. “We’ve done all we’ve done because we are Christians.”

A Rocha Ghana is leading the legal challenge, joined by six other civil society groups and four private citizens. The case was filed three years ago and made its way to the Accra High Court in February. The conservation group has never filed suit before.

“Even though we’ve done advocacy and campaigns as part of our work, this is the first time we’ve taken legal action,” Appiah-Kubi said. “It’s a big learning curve.”

I was able to meet Seth a few weeks ago on a visit to Ghana, where I went to the Atewa Forest Reserve and saw some of its wonders, even as I could hear chain saws in the distance. I promised Seth that I would pray for him and A Rocha Ghana’s fight to protect the forest. I told him that I would also ask you to pray for him and we would try to raise funds for their work, beginning at the coffee morning at the vicarage at 11 on Tuesday the 17th of October.

I believe that what is happening to life on earth in our lifetimes is like what was happening to the Jews in Germany in the 1940s. We cannot ignore what is happening. We must do something. A poet recently wrote, “it’s 3.23 in the morning and I can’t sleep because my great great grandchildren ask me in dream what did you do while the earth was unravelling?” Supporting A Rocha is something we can do as a parish. I ask for your help.

With love and my prayers,

James

---

---

Sunday and weekday Services

Our weekly service times are:
Sunday 10:00am Eucharist
Tuesday 10:00am Morning Prayer (BCP)
Thursday 10:30am Holy Communion (BCP)

The weekly online service is now a livestream of our Sunday Morning Eucharist Service. The link for the livestream page is https://stmarymagdalene.church/livestream-service/ the Service for the coming Sunday is listed on this page on a Friday. The page includes a video that will go live at approximately 9:55am on Sunday, it also has the words to the hymns, collects and readings and has a downloadable service booklet. It will continue to be made available to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend church.

---

Parish Concert

The Parish Concert is drawing near at 4:00pm on Saturday 14th October. Whatever your age, if you can sing, dance, play an instrument, recite, act or otherwise entertain, for up to 5 minutes, please have a word with me. Some people have volunteered to take part but it would be good if a few more folk were to join in. There will be a cup of tea afterwards. Thank you,
Eleanor.

---

Quiz

If you would like to come to the quiz on Saturday 28th October then please let me know. You can organise a table of up to 8 people in advance or you can make up a table on the night.

I’m hoping to be well enough to be in church next Sunday but you can also ring or email me.
Judy

---

Coffee and a Concert

The September recital was presented by Margaret Green, Soprano, and Roddy Elmer on piano and French Horn (but not at the same time!). It was well attended and enjoyed. Except for one piece by Handel, they performed twentieth century music.

In contrast, the October recital to be performed by Jonathan Newby will consist of piano music by Beethoven and Mendelssohn. It will be at the usual time of 12:30pm on Wednesday 11th October. There will be coffee and cake beforehand starting at 11:30am. Do come along if you are free.

---

Pilgrimage 2025

In the past it was always our custom to go to Launde Abbey one year and a pilgrimage elsewhere the next. We have not been able to do this recently but are trying to re-establish the practice. We are going to Launde Abbey this year and have looked at options elsewhere for the future. We are considering a pilgrimage to Greece which includes St Paul’s time in Greece as well as some sightseeing of the ancient wonders of Greece including Athens and Delphi. Because this is likely to be expensive, about £3,000, we have deferred this to 2025 to give time to save, and I will be setting up a monthly savings scheme in August or September this year. I have already had expressions of interest from about 12 people and, if you think you would like to come, please speak to me for more details.

If you have not been on a pilgrimage with us before they are great fun, and serious too, help us all to get to know each other better and make us the family we are. Do give it a thought.

Michael

---

Coffee Morning

the next morning will be held by James & Nana at The Vicarage on Tuesday 17th October at 10.45 and they are looking forward to seeing lots of you there. A small donation would be appreciated if you are unable to come.

Rita

---

The Sanctuary Course

One in four people will be affected by a mental health challenge at some point in their lives, yet the stigma surrounding these experiences often prevents people talking about it. Informed and empathetic conversations about mental health and mental health challenges can transform communities of faith.

The Sanctuary Course is an eight-week study guide for churches and small groups who want to learn about mental health and start their own conversations.

Each session examines a key mental health topic, and the accompanying films feature insights from mental health professionals, church leaders, and theologians. 

This course requires no prior mental health training  expertise; it is for anyone interested in starting the faith and mental health conversation.

We will be running The Sanctuary Course at St Mary Magdalene and St Luke’s (alternate weeks) every Monday evening for 8 weeks, starting on Monday September 18th, 7.30 – 9pm at St Mary Magdalene. We really hope you will join us!

Please speak to Ann Rolland or Alison Reeve, or email Ann at annrolland3@gmail.com if you would like to come along.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Patron of SANCTUARY London, talks about THE SANCTUARY COURSE:

Dates, venue and topics:

2 October – St Mary Magdalene – session 3, Stigma
9 October – St Luke – session 4, Recovery
16 October – St Mary Magdalene – session 5, Companionship
23 October – no session
30 October – St Luke – session 6, Caregiving
6 November – St Mary Magdalene – session 7, Self-Care
12 November – St Luke – session 8, Reflection

---

Singing Group

We are thinking of starting a singing group, possibly Tuesday or Wednesday evenings depending on people’s availability, for people of all abilities who enjoy singing. The idea is to sing a variety of music and have fun – nothing too serious. If you are interested in helping set this up, I would love to hear from you.

Many thanks! Ann Rolland annrolland3@gmail.com

---

Community Café – Free, warm, welcoming, safe.

Every Thursday, from 1:30pm-3:30pm, we will be opening the hall for anyone and everyone as a free, warm, welcoming, and safe place to be for a couple of hours. Cups of tea or coffee will be provided along with the opportunity for somewhere warm to meet others in a friendly and safe space.

Can anyone run the Community Café on 19th and 26th October please? Ann is unavailable for these two Thursdays. If you are available, please let Ann know annrolland3@gmail.com.

---

Ladychapel Memorial book

Every week we remember the anniversaries of death for different people. Their names are taken from two Memorial Books we keep. One for those whose ashes are interred in the Memorial Garden and a second, in the Lady Chapel, for people we wish to be remembered on a certain date (usually their death).

If you would like the name of someone to be remembered in the Ladychapel Memorial Book please speak to Maureen Rew, the cost is £25.

---

Dates for your diary

October
Sunday 8th 10:00am Harvest Festival followed by Harvest Lunch
Wednesday 11th 11:30 Jonathan Newby Piano Recital with music by Beethoven and Mendelssohn
Saturday 14th 3:00pm Parish Concert
Tuesday 17th 11:00am Coffee Morning at the Vicarage
Saturday 28th 7:00pm Parish Quiz

November
Sunday 5th 10am All Saints’ Day
Sunday 5th 4:00pm All Souls’ Service of remembrance
Wednesday 8th 11:30 am coffee and cake followed, at 12:30pm by Lunchtime Concert Fumi Otsuki and Sarah Kershaw, Violin and Piano – Including Violin Concerto No 3 by Mozart
Saturday 11th 7:00pm Enfield Choral Society Concert
Sunday 12th 10am Remembrance Sunday with Act of Remembrance at 11:00am
Saturday 18th 7:00pm Poetry and Drama evening.

---

This magazine appears online only, with only a few copies available for archival purposes