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Saint Etienne - London Belongs To Me.
Friday, 13 March 2015
London scenes
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Saint Etienne - London Belongs To Me.
Update: Sophia Hub Seven Kings
Ros Southern writes:
'Here's the weekly news...
The speaker at the enterprise club on Tuesday is dynamic business woman Debbie Skeete who runs a childcare consultancy business and online resources. More info here.
The Chamber of Commerce are running a business networking and comedy night and I would love to get a Sophia Hubs table together. More info here.
Social enterprise Recycles Ilford have a spring sale of their refurbished bikes tomorrow (Saturday). And you can look at the re-used paint supplies. More info here
News on a new green enterprise about to start - eco decorator Bill Gallagher. Info here
Update on the Sophia course after session 2 of 4. Local start-ups attending. Info here.
Interesting and practical session at enterprise club last Tuesday on business canvas model. Info here
Finally, an exciting new enterprise is on its way in Ilford - East London Radio, Redbridge Music Lounge and Asnet are taking over the bowling green in Valentines Park(near the Melbourne Road entrance) as a community space. There is a fundraising quiz and curry night on Monday 23rd March. Shall we have a Sophia Hubs table if so contact me. Otherwise contact Diane on 07969 341943
As always, please spread the word about our Facebook page and Twitter address (see below)
Best wishes,
Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Seven Kings
M: 07707 460309 T: 0208 590 2568
ros.southern@sophiahubs.com
T: @sophiahubs7k FB: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings blog: https://sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com/
c/o St Johns Church, St Johns Road, Seven Kings, IG2 7BB'
'Here's the weekly news...
The speaker at the enterprise club on Tuesday is dynamic business woman Debbie Skeete who runs a childcare consultancy business and online resources. More info here.
The Chamber of Commerce are running a business networking and comedy night and I would love to get a Sophia Hubs table together. More info here.
Social enterprise Recycles Ilford have a spring sale of their refurbished bikes tomorrow (Saturday). And you can look at the re-used paint supplies. More info here
News on a new green enterprise about to start - eco decorator Bill Gallagher. Info here
Update on the Sophia course after session 2 of 4. Local start-ups attending. Info here.
Interesting and practical session at enterprise club last Tuesday on business canvas model. Info here
Finally, an exciting new enterprise is on its way in Ilford - East London Radio, Redbridge Music Lounge and Asnet are taking over the bowling green in Valentines Park(near the Melbourne Road entrance) as a community space. There is a fundraising quiz and curry night on Monday 23rd March. Shall we have a Sophia Hubs table if so contact me. Otherwise contact Diane on 07969 341943
As always, please spread the word about our Facebook page and Twitter address (see below)
Best wishes,
Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Seven Kings
M: 07707 460309 T: 0208 590 2568
ros.southern@sophiahubs.com
T: @sophiahubs7k FB: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings blog: https://sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com/
c/o St Johns Church, St Johns Road, Seven Kings, IG2 7BB'
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77s - Not A Pretty Picture.
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Transparency and authenticity
Today's sermon at St Stephen Walbrook was entitled Transparency and authenticity. The podcast of this sermon can be found in the sermon section of the London Internet Church website:
In May I will be leading the Memorial Service for Robert Fell at St Martin-in-the-Fields. In 1974 Fell became the first Chief Executive of the Stock Exchange and later went on to help regulate Hong Kong Securities.
He writes in his memoirs: “My first meeting … was on the consequences of the Burmah oil collapse. The next day, my first full council meeting was about how to deal with the financial crisis. Two days later, on January 6th … was the day of the City’s Epiphany Service. I attended with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. As we walked down the aisle the Deputy remarked that he did not see Burmah Oil on the Order of Service. But when we reached our pew no three men ever knelt in more fervent prayer … As I knelt I could hardly have anticipated that my regulatory experience (over the next decade) would encompass the ‘hammering’ of one major London firm and the suspension of two others, the murder of a banker, three suicides … the jailing of two exchange chairmen and an assortment of bankers and, as a last straw, the sentencing to eight years imprisonment of the Crown Prosecutor who dealt with most of the commercial crimes I had uncovered.”
Most of what he was referring to happened whilst he was in Hong Kong. A cartoon published in Hong Kong depicted him as a knight in shining armour riding to the rescue of the banking system. He was called ‘a one-man cavalry’ who brought corruption into the light, even when it was dangerous to do so, and by doing so saved Hong Kong’s financial reputation from international oblivion.
In today’s epistle (Ephesians 5.1-14) a similar level of transparency is being commended for our own personal lives: ‘… you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light … and find out what pleases the Lord.’
Jesus, our Lord, is the light of the world. He is God fully revealed in human form, so shows us what God is actually like as well as revealing all that we, as humans, can become. We come into the light of Christ by comparing our lives to his. As we do so, inevitably we find that we fall short; that our capacity to do what pleases him (by living out all goodness, righteousness and truth) is less than his capacity for these things. Our reality, as our Gospel reading states, is that we are divided people. As St Paul so accurately states in Romans 7: ‘… what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.’
So coming into the light of Christ initially reveals our fallibilities and failures to be Christ-like. As a result, if we are to be transparent in the light of Christ, we make our humble confession to Almighty God truly and earnestly repenting of our sins.
But the light of Christ does not just expose and make visible our fallibilities. When we learn what pleases our Lord (which is all goodness, righteousness and truth; or, as our confession says, intending to lead a new life by following the commandments of God, walking in his holy ways and living in love and charity with our neighbours) we are then illuminated by him and become a light to others. This is what Jesus means when he tells us to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
In today’s business terms we would call this being transparent. One business dictionary definition of transparency is a “lack of hidden agendas or conditions, accompanied by the availability of full information required for collaboration, cooperation, and collective decision making.” That is essentially what Bob Fell brought to his work in the City and in Hong Kong. The true purpose of transparency is not simply to appease regulators, to increase profits, or to please shareholders. The true purpose of transparency is authenticity. This is the quality of being genuine, and ultimately of being trusted, which allows your message to be heard and believed.
The Church of England has recently been accused in the press of hypocrisy – a lack of authenticity – over its statements on the Living Wage. When told that the Church was full of hypocrites, Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, replied, "Not full – there's still room for one more." Of course the Church doesn't always live up to the standards of the Gospel. That’s why we regularly and consistently confess our sins and shortcomings.
But, as Canon Dr Angus Ritchie has written, “I'm glad the Church is speaking out on these issues. If it wasn't for the lead of our Bishops – and the powerful grassroots work of churches … many more people would earning poverty wages and living at the mercy of Britain's loan sharks … It would be a disaster if the Church stopped speaking out, silenced by fear of the next negative headline.”
May we, like Bob Fell and our Bishops, continue to practice transparency and authenticity, while acknowledging our own shortcomings, and do so even in the face of accusations of hypocrisy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crux Fidelis Kng John IV of Portugal.
In May I will be leading the Memorial Service for Robert Fell at St Martin-in-the-Fields. In 1974 Fell became the first Chief Executive of the Stock Exchange and later went on to help regulate Hong Kong Securities.
He writes in his memoirs: “My first meeting … was on the consequences of the Burmah oil collapse. The next day, my first full council meeting was about how to deal with the financial crisis. Two days later, on January 6th … was the day of the City’s Epiphany Service. I attended with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. As we walked down the aisle the Deputy remarked that he did not see Burmah Oil on the Order of Service. But when we reached our pew no three men ever knelt in more fervent prayer … As I knelt I could hardly have anticipated that my regulatory experience (over the next decade) would encompass the ‘hammering’ of one major London firm and the suspension of two others, the murder of a banker, three suicides … the jailing of two exchange chairmen and an assortment of bankers and, as a last straw, the sentencing to eight years imprisonment of the Crown Prosecutor who dealt with most of the commercial crimes I had uncovered.”
Most of what he was referring to happened whilst he was in Hong Kong. A cartoon published in Hong Kong depicted him as a knight in shining armour riding to the rescue of the banking system. He was called ‘a one-man cavalry’ who brought corruption into the light, even when it was dangerous to do so, and by doing so saved Hong Kong’s financial reputation from international oblivion.
In today’s epistle (Ephesians 5.1-14) a similar level of transparency is being commended for our own personal lives: ‘… you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light … and find out what pleases the Lord.’
Jesus, our Lord, is the light of the world. He is God fully revealed in human form, so shows us what God is actually like as well as revealing all that we, as humans, can become. We come into the light of Christ by comparing our lives to his. As we do so, inevitably we find that we fall short; that our capacity to do what pleases him (by living out all goodness, righteousness and truth) is less than his capacity for these things. Our reality, as our Gospel reading states, is that we are divided people. As St Paul so accurately states in Romans 7: ‘… what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.’
So coming into the light of Christ initially reveals our fallibilities and failures to be Christ-like. As a result, if we are to be transparent in the light of Christ, we make our humble confession to Almighty God truly and earnestly repenting of our sins.
But the light of Christ does not just expose and make visible our fallibilities. When we learn what pleases our Lord (which is all goodness, righteousness and truth; or, as our confession says, intending to lead a new life by following the commandments of God, walking in his holy ways and living in love and charity with our neighbours) we are then illuminated by him and become a light to others. This is what Jesus means when he tells us to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
In today’s business terms we would call this being transparent. One business dictionary definition of transparency is a “lack of hidden agendas or conditions, accompanied by the availability of full information required for collaboration, cooperation, and collective decision making.” That is essentially what Bob Fell brought to his work in the City and in Hong Kong. The true purpose of transparency is not simply to appease regulators, to increase profits, or to please shareholders. The true purpose of transparency is authenticity. This is the quality of being genuine, and ultimately of being trusted, which allows your message to be heard and believed.
The Church of England has recently been accused in the press of hypocrisy – a lack of authenticity – over its statements on the Living Wage. When told that the Church was full of hypocrites, Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, replied, "Not full – there's still room for one more." Of course the Church doesn't always live up to the standards of the Gospel. That’s why we regularly and consistently confess our sins and shortcomings.
But, as Canon Dr Angus Ritchie has written, “I'm glad the Church is speaking out on these issues. If it wasn't for the lead of our Bishops – and the powerful grassroots work of churches … many more people would earning poverty wages and living at the mercy of Britain's loan sharks … It would be a disaster if the Church stopped speaking out, silenced by fear of the next negative headline.”
May we, like Bob Fell and our Bishops, continue to practice transparency and authenticity, while acknowledging our own shortcomings, and do so even in the face of accusations of hypocrisy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crux Fidelis Kng John IV of Portugal.
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Exhibition: National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers
A group show by the National Society of Painters, Sculptors and Printmakers can be seen at St Stephen Walbrook until 20th March. The Private View for the exhibition is to be held tomorrow from 6.30pm. The exhibition can be enjoyed whilst also attending music recitals on Tuesdays (from 1.00pm) and Fridays (from 12.30pm), or whilst attending the midweek Eucharist on Thursdays from 12.45pm.
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Update: Sophia Hub Seven Kings
Ros Southern writes:
'Enterprise club on Tuesday (tomorrow) is with Aidan and it's another session on the business canvas model which we think is extremely useful for start-ups as its flexible, simple and on one page. Please come, info here.
The 5th Sophia Course had a great first session last week, a full house, read an update here.
The Timebank skills swap last week was a success and another useful opportunity for start-ups and businesses plus community spirit. Pics and video here.
Announcing a brand new Redbridge start-up - Sam the cartoonist - and special offer to Sophia contacts! Read here
Thanks to Muhammad for the marketing session last week. For info click here. Powerpoint presentation available.
Advance notice - the enterprise club speaker (Tues 17 March) next week is Debbie Skeete of Early Years Play. She has a wide range of business knowledge and is part of many local networks.
Best wishes,
Ros
Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Seven Kings
M: 07707 460309 T: 0208 590 2568
ros.southern@sophiahubs.com
T: @sophiahubs7k FB: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings blog: https://sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com/
c/o St Johns Church, St Johns Road, Seven Kings, IG2 7BB'
Mumford & Sons - Believe.
'Enterprise club on Tuesday (tomorrow) is with Aidan and it's another session on the business canvas model which we think is extremely useful for start-ups as its flexible, simple and on one page. Please come, info here.
The 5th Sophia Course had a great first session last week, a full house, read an update here.
The Timebank skills swap last week was a success and another useful opportunity for start-ups and businesses plus community spirit. Pics and video here.
Announcing a brand new Redbridge start-up - Sam the cartoonist - and special offer to Sophia contacts! Read here
Thanks to Muhammad for the marketing session last week. For info click here. Powerpoint presentation available.
Advance notice - the enterprise club speaker (Tues 17 March) next week is Debbie Skeete of Early Years Play. She has a wide range of business knowledge and is part of many local networks.
Best wishes,
Ros
Ros Southern, Coordinator, Sophia Hubs Seven Kings
M: 07707 460309 T: 0208 590 2568
ros.southern@sophiahubs.com
T: @sophiahubs7k FB: Sophia Hubs Seven Kings blog: https://sophiahubs7k.wordpress.com/
c/o St Johns Church, St Johns Road, Seven Kings, IG2 7BB'
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Sunday, 8 March 2015
Fourth Plinth: Gift Horse
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America - A Horse With No Name.
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Windows on the world (332)
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Tsefat, 2014
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Victoria Williams - This Moment.
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