Church plants
Our Croydon Vineyard and Balham Vineyard church plants continue to go from strength to strength and we are always encouraged to see the vibrant ways in which they are bringing the love of Jesus to the communities in which they minister, and see lives changed.
We continued to support Roanna Quirke as she planted the Kennington Vineyard, a satellite church of SW London Vineyard which seeks to be missional and see life and colour brought to Kennington and to London. Over 2017 there were 25 people who called themselves ‘Kennington Vineyard’. Although not currently running any small groups, the focus of the church is on Sundays where they gather together 3 times a month with the 4th Sunday being a supper club open to anyone. In September, the church ran a weekend away for 15 of the team. Members of the church volunteer monthly with Foodbank monthly in Brixton and Waterloo as well as raising money for them through events over Christmas. From January to March members volunteer with Robes helping host and cook at a local night shelter.
In September 2017 as part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations we held a Commissioning Service for the Kennington Vineyard and released them as an independent church, along with sending those called to join this new expression of a local Vineyard church in Kennington.
The wider Body of Christ
We recognise the importance of fellowship and unity with the wider body of Christ and as members of the Evangelical Alliance we are keen, wherever possible, to work with other churches in the area and across London. We have continued to seek to develop our relationships with a number of churches including: Holy Trinity Brompton; St Mark’s Battersea Rise; St Margaret’s Church Putney; Putney Methodist Church; Holy Trinity Parish Church Roehampton; St Stephen’s Putney along with other local Vineyard churches.
Over the year members of the church attended conferences and festivals including: Holy Trinity Brompton’s Leadership Conference and Focus; Soul Survivor; New Wine and David’s Tent.
We remain incredibly grateful for the whole Body of Christ and the generosity with which so many local churches share so openly of their wisdom, experience and resources.
Volunteer Workforce and Leaders
All of the above and more would not have been possible were it not for the very many leaders and volunteers, both within and without the church who have given so generously of their time, energy and money. We have been incredibly blessed by God and remain deeply indebted to the Lord for the very many wonderful servants committed to Christ, His Church and His Cause through the ministry of SW London Vineyard.
Teams of servant-hearted, kingdom-focussed passionate and gifted individuals including: set-up teams; friendly welcomers; smiling car parkers; gifted worship leaders; doughnut purchasers; tea and coffee makers; faithful prayers; tireless VKids leaders and workers; street-wise youth workers; inspirational small group leaders; pastoral House Group leaders; compassionate Foodbank volunteers; creative Job Club coaches, welcomers and sandwich makers; patient Little Fish helpers; conversational English Language Classes teachers; counselling service advisors; Bereavement Journey companions; pastoral care supporters; Sozo ministry intercessors; small group deputies, worship leaders, hosts and administrators; lift givers; lunch providers; Storehouse packers; lap top operators; HOTS healers; generous financial givers; Trustee advisors and many other ministers, evangelists, encouragers, prophets, pastors and teachers all of whom:
‘equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.’ Ephesians 4:11-12
Without each one of these doing their part, quite simply, there would be no SW London Vineyard and we are very grateful to each and every one of you.