Community

Peace Garden

The Southwark Peace Garden was created in the former Clubland ‘quad’, from a design by local students and opened on World Peace Day, 21st September 2018. It is a response to knife and violent crime in the local community, by creating a place of peace and a space for meeting that can be the focus of educational and creative projects by and for the young people who are most impacted by knife crime.

Since the Peace garden was opened, an olive tree has been added to the garden and a remarkable sculpture of a dove by the artist Graham Slade installed, fashioned from knives surrendered to the police.

At the dedication ceremony for the dove sculpture in January 2020, Rev David Markay offered the following words:
‘After much deliberation, the committee commissioned Graham Slade to sculpt this dove. An international symbol of peace, we know that it will mean different things to different people.

If this dove calls to mind for you a story of Noah and his family and animals on an ark, surrounded by angry waves, which subside, imagine his releasing a dove from the deck, and it returning with an olive branch in its mouth. May that story be, for you, a heavenly promise of peace after destruction.

If this dove calls to mind for you a story of Jesus wading into the River Jordan to be baptized, and the Spirit of God descending upon him like a dove, and a voice from heaven bellowing, with words meant for him, and for you: You are my Beloved.

If this dove is for you a symbol of the Spirit of God, may you experience the Spirit’s power to heal a wound, to change a heart – maybe your own – , embolden a community, transform the world.

Whatever your perspective, this dove is for you, and it may mean different things to you on different days:

In its sharp edges, acknowledge the pain you have experienced.
In its welding and soldering, remember things joined together again.
In its gentle span, find freedom.
In its knowing glance, know you are not alone.
In its vulnerability, learn to cherish each moment.
In its strength, rediscover your own.

And as you look at this dove…

If it is descending, may its approaching flutter catch your attention.
If, for you, it is ascending, let it lift your spirit.
If it is hovering, let it be an abiding, soothing presence.
If it perched, may it remind you of a holy accompaniment.
And in its permanence in this garden, may it bring you Peace.

Amen.’

Children & Youth

Sunday School

There has been a Sunday School at Walworth off and on for over 200 years, although we are about to celebrate our 12th Thanksgiving service on 26th June 2022.

Sunday school is divided into two classes, that is: lower and upper school

  • The Lower School ages 3-8 years old
  • The Upper School ages 9-16 years old

We celebrate the children’s birthdays monthly, but we have been unable since the covid, this we plan to commence back soon.

During the covid, we engaged the children twice weekly via zoom with lots of activities, which was successful. It was nice coming back to church and having the children around.

Every Sunday, we do bible passages relating to the day’s sermon and differentiate to meet the children’s needs according to their age group. We support the younger ones during the lesson with videos, images, art and craft.

For the older ones, we do organise talks and activities for them.
We provide refreshments for the children during Sunday school with support from the teachers, parents, and patrons.

Safeguarding

We seek to create a safe environment and culture where all are welcome. This includes our members, visitors and users of our facilities.

Walworth Methodist Church therefore commits itself to:

RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed or may suffer harm, whether in the church or in another context. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.

IMPLEMENT the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, government legislation and guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.

PROVIDE support, advice and training for lay and ordained people to ensure that people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.

AFFIRM and give thanks for those who work with children and vulnerable adults and also acknowledge the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who are on our premises.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility

All users of the premises at Walworth Methodist Church are required to comply with the safeguarding policy of the Methodist Church.

Our Safeguarding Team

Please contact our safeguarding team if you have any concerns: Rev Rachael Wilson, Revd David Markay, Mrs Caroline Ogunsola (vulnerable adults), Mrs Ann Pratt (children and young people), Mrs Rosalina Frazer (children and young people).