December 11, 2024

KLS 100 Carol Concert – 10 December 2024

Preached by: Venerable Stephen Taylor, with guest speakers: John Bercow & Joanna Bobin My grandsons, William and Edward, watched the film Frozen when when they were 6 and 5 years…

Preached by: Venerable Stephen Taylor, with guest speakers: John Bercow & Joanna Bobin

My grandsons, William and Edward, watched the film Frozen when when they were 6 and 5 years old and loved it.
They talked about it afterwards, between themselves, then Edward, who was 5, declared he loved Kristoff and wanted to marry him.

William, taking his older brother role, seriously said, “Edward, you can’t marry him.” Not because he is a boy, boys can marry each other. But because he’s not real.

We’ve had a lot of evocative readings this evening. Did they really happen as they were written? Were they real? Does it matter?
I’ve seen the football from the first world war as a part of the centenary celebrations in 2018, Maidstone Museum but im not sure it was 3-2.

I’ve experienced the difference that the Christian faith makes in life. And i’ve seen firsthand the tansformative difference that the KLS makes in people’s lives. And we have all heard firsthand from Zahara this evening.

If you want to hear more about the love of God in Jesus, then come on a Sunday
But tonight, I want to focus on KLS

Katherine Mackay Low was born in America in 1855 and emegrated to England 10 years later, the same time as Benedict Arnold. Her mother was Mary Cowper Stiles
She attended Francis Holland school, and, in her adult years, lived in Grosvenor Square and was known for her philanthropy.
She was treasurer of the Peckham Settlement for 15 years until she died. Her friends knew of her compassion for this area over the river and established a new settlement in her name.

In the late 18th and early 20th century, the needs in the area were huge. In a survey, Orville Road was decribed as being occupied by theives, prostitutes, cadgers, and loafers. Alledgely things have changed.

The social workers for this area were based in St Mary’s Vicarage during Rev John Erskine Clarkes’ time.

Missionaries were sent here from Europe in 1887 from the Salesian order of Don Bosco with inauspisious beginings, the first priest Fr McKiernan died within 12 months of arriving and his successer Bro Rossaro left soon after, the climate and conditions unsuitable for him.

The Roman Catholic church of Sacred Heart was funded by voluntary contributions from Italy, Spain, and France for what was regarded as one of the most deprieved places in Europe and opened in 1892.
The churches could not in and of themselves manage the universal poverty of the area, and nationally, schools and universities were encouraged to engage with places of high poverty and deprivation. In this time, Gonville and Cauis established Caius House, a coilition of girls schools established the Peckham Settlement in 1896, but in 2012, it went into administration and closed.

It’s not clear if any of those who raised the funds to build KLS in 1824 lived on site, as other settlements did, but they attracted sufficient volunteers to deliver daycare, English classes, and healthcare. They created a space to share knowledge and build confidence

Loving your neighbour’ is one of the centeal tenants of the Christian faith and since its founding, St Mary’s has been immersed and integrated with KLS, and it is entirely appropriate that tonight the two of us join togther in this centenary celebration carol service.

But history is one thing, the future quite another
Its clear from the demand on the services that KLS offer that this still a great diversity in our area. Poverty exists at many levels in our area, and KLS remains a bridge for those who can, to contribute.
We know from the back of our carol sheet that KLS needs
£250k

There are about 250 of us here tonight. Thats £1k each
You might not be able to afford £1k and that’s ok.
But you might.

Katherine Low was wealthy, but also generous, compassionate and committed to share what she had with those who hadn’t.

This is on our watch. This is on our patch. This is our call, This is real.

Please be generous and enable the transformation that KLS has delivered to the people in our wider community to continue, now and for the years ahead.

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