News from the Pews
the rector’s monthly newsletter: november 2026
Dear Neighbour,
“I can’t believe it’s November already!” is a phrase I hear all over Kennington. The season has properly changed, the mince pies are on the shelves and we are now in winter. Rituals have been central to all human culture as a way of marking time in more than just work deadlines. Children love the memory that every winter we have family rituals. Can I draw your attention to our Christmas programme if you’re not already familiar with it? I think we have something for everyone.
News from the Pews
This Sunday at 10.30am we have our annual all age Remembrance Day service, where explain the origin of this tradition to our children, remember those who have sacrificed in wars, and pray for peace. We observe the two minutes' silence at 11am.
Autumn Being With Course – online Thursdays 8pm-9.30pm between now and Christmas. There’s one spot left if anyone would like to join this online group (currently 9 women) exploring faith and building new friendships. If you’d like to dip your toe in and see if it’s for you, email me on rector@northlambethparish.org
Always wanted to join a Christmas choir but worried about the commitment? Join our Carol Service Choir, with two practices on Monday 7th December 5.45-7.30pm and Sunday 13th December 2pm, before the Service itself at 4pm. With parts for advanced singers as well as complete novices, our professional music team will help you find your voice in this beautiful Christmas celebration for all our community. Email music@northlambethparish.org to sign up.
Dates for your diary
8th November 10.30am Remembrance Sunday All Age Eucharist including explaining the tradition to our children and marking the two minutes' silence at 11am.
8th November 6pm Poetry Compline 35 minutes of an introduction to a piece of classical poetry surrounded by prayers and live classical music, followed by drinks and nibbles.
22nd November 6pm Art Compline 35 minutes of an introduction to a piece of classical art surrounded by prayers and live classical music, followed by drinks and nibbles.
29th November 6pm Advent Sunday Choral Compline Start your Christmas preparations with this short service led by our chamber choir performing three Advent anthems. Followed by drinks and nibbles. Yule be sorry if you miss this!
30th November 5pm Children’s and Youth Christmas Concert – The bells are jingling for our Young Voices, Joyful Noise choirs and our Steel Pans Group. Come and hear some joyful Christmassy music and support our young people in the arts. Open to the whole community as well as their friends and family. Feliz Navidad!
6th December 6pm Carols on the Steps – Hark now hear the angels sing! Join in some Christmas Cheer with informal Christmas Carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies on the church steps.
13th December 4pm Carol Service – O Come All Ye Faithful! All the community are invited to this magical celebration of music and the nativity story. See our special art installation winging its flight o’er all the earth. (yes the puns are going to keep coming!)
14th December -11th January Art Installation All is calm, all is bright… and you can meet our life size stable and meet the characters… see the larger than life size angel flying o’er our heads. The church is open through the week when the coffee stall is there until about 3pm.
(TBC) 22nd December 6pm Christmas Art Compline
24th December 4pm Crib Service – The cattle are lowing the baby awakes… tiny tots to big grown ups gather: children can pick a dressing up costume on the way in, and we will tell the Christmas story together. A special guest (I wonder who?) will be popping in just before his global delivery that evening.
25th December 8am Early Christmas Eucharist Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining… but you can be up and heading to our early Christmas Eucharist, have your first glass of Christmas cheer and a slice of panettone, and be home before 9.30am.
25th December 10am Christmas Day Eucharist very welcoming even if you’re not normally a churchgoer. Glo-ooooo-ooooo-oooooria!
Weekly services and events
Sundays
8am – Said Eucharist (35 minutes)
10am – All Age Eucharist with children’s activities
6pm – Culture Compline with talks on classical pieces of religious art, poetry or music, accompanied by performances of live classical music. On the first Sunday of the month our Chamber Choir performs with a talk on one composer they are featuring. Followed by drinks and nibbles.
Wednesdays
10am – Eucharist with Bible discussion, followed by coffee/tea and biscuits
Thursdays
10am -11.15am – Church Mice – a space for parents and carers with toddlers in tow. Let the kids play with a lot of toys, while you are handed a lovely coffee and relax with some friendly people while you listen to 1980s tracks.
With every blessing,
Sally