Commemorating Nicholas Ridley Day! 

Tomorrow (Friday 16 October) is the commemoration day of our patron - Nicholas Ridley – whom our church, Bishop Ridley, is named after.
 
Nicholas Ridley was born around 1500 in South Tynedale, Northumberland. He studied at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge and became an academic. He was ordained a priest in around 1524. About a decade later, he began to be interested in and sympathise with Protestant doctrines. He is recognised as one of the finest academic minds in the early English Reformation. In 1547, after the accession of King Edward VI, Ridley was appointed Bishop of Rochester. In 1550 he became bishop of London. Under Ridley the see of London was made into a showpiece of Reformed England. In particular, he created an uproar with his campaign for the use of a plain table for communion instead of the altar. He denied the doctrine of transubstantiation—that Christ’s natural body is present in the bread of the Eucharist after consecration. Three years later, Ridley was arrested when Queen Mary Tudor, a Roman Catholic, ascended to the throne. Ridley refused to recant and was burned at the stake on 16 October 1555 – along with and another notable Protestant, Hugh Latimer. At the stake Latimer immortalised himself by encouraging Ridley with the words “we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England as I trust shall never be put out.”.
 
Indeed, our church is just one of the lights which continues to this day in England.
 
Watch out for phishing emails
Unfortunately a number of members of our church have recently suffered phishing and impersonation scams. The National Cyber Security Centre has a number of practical guides on how to recognise and report scam emails, texts, websites, adverts or phone calls.  It is getting harder to spot scams and some even fool the experts! However there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Take some time to familiarise yourself with these steps now.

Working together
We’re still looking someone to represent BR at the Churches Together in Welling (CTW) meetings. CTW is a group which represents nearly all the churches in Welling. It meets five times a year (including one meeting for its AGM) to hear how other churches are building God’s kingdom here in Welling and to arrange joint church activities. We need someone to take BR news to the meeting and to bring news back from the other churches. Please speak to Mark, Grace or Karen if you would like to discuss this opportunity further.
 
Job opportunities
The Diocese of Rochester is currently recruiting for the following roles:

• Stewardship Manager
• Associate Archdeacon of Bromley and Bexley
• Church Buildings Support Officer.

To find out more please visit the vacancies page.

Support our Rainbows
8th Welling Rainbows were chosen as one of the charities that the Coop Local Community Fund were supporting this year. This ends on Saturday (17 October) when the money in the fund is allocated according to how many people have supported each cause. Thank you to those who have already chosen us and been supporting us.  If you haven't chosen a cause to support yet, now is the time to choose 8th Welling Rainbows. Your support will help to make sure 8th Welling Rainbows can continue to give great experiences to young girls. You can use this link to choose us directly instead of searching "8th Welling Rainbows" on the Coop website. Many thanks for your support.  Pat, Sian and Sarah of 8th Welling Rainbows. 

Tackling modern slavery
It is estimated that there are currently more than 122,000 men, women and children in the UK are trapped in Modern Slavery (Global Slavery Index). It affects men, women and children. Vastly under-reported, it is a problem that is hidden in plain sight in our communities. Modern Slavery is used to describe circumstances where people are forced to work, owned or controlled, bought and sold, and/ or have their freedom constrained. Ahead of Anti-Slavery Day this Sunday (18 October), The Diocese of Rochester has launched a new diocesan network to help tackle modern slavery. Eleven volunteer ambassadors are available across the Diocese to help churches respond to Modern Slavery. They are trained to help parishes spot the signs of modern slavery, Know how to report modern slavery and support those affected pastorally. Ambassadors can visit churches to deliver awareness training, as well as share useful resources and information. Find out more here.

Deanery Synod
The next Erith Deanery Synod meeting will be on Thursday 22 October 2026 at 7:15pm at St John’s Welling. It’s local and the talk sounds very interesting so please do go along to be inspired. Find out more.
 
Cheese and Wine evening
On Friday 30 October at 7pm, the Falconwood and District Horticultural Society will be hosting a cheese and wine evening at the Falconwood Community Centre. The evening will also include a talk from Dr John Hughes, Judge at the Falconwood and District Horticultural Society annual flower, fruit and veg show, about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – which he is also a judge for. Tickets are £8 for members and £10 for guests. To book your place please email falconwoodcc1@gmail.com or leave a message on 07881 710 639.

In Loving Memory
Our annual service of thanksgiving to remember and celebrate the lives of those no longer with us takes place on Sunday 1 November at 4pm. Please email info@brchurch.org.uk if you would like us to remember your loved one. Find out more. 

Be a lifesaver
Would you know what to do if you saw some having a heart attack and you needed to use the Defibrillator? Come along to a hands-on session on Saturday 14 November from 2pm to 4:30pm at the Church, which will cover these essential skills recognising a cardiac arrest, basic life support and how to safely use the defibrillator plus much more.  Find out more here. Book your place today by emailing info@brchurch.org.uk or speak to John.
 
Please do check out all our Autumn events. 

Bible readings for this week
Psalm 147:1-7 and Luke 10:1-9