St Swithun's Church, Kennington
Outreach to Kennington
 Kennington
has a voluntarily controlled day school for children aged 3-11, called
St
Swithun's Church of England (Controlled) Primary School. Some of the
school's governors are chosen by the diocese. In the past (as we are currently
between resident vicars) members of the clergy have gone into the school.
Termly services are held in the church for the school including a special
services for the year 7 leavers and a Christingle
service which is held jointly with the school.
A newsletter from the church is published each month in the Kennington
village magazine The Kennington Chronicle (except August when
there is no issue). The Kennington Chronicle was founded over
twenty year's ago by the 3 churches in Kennington as an informative magasine
for Kennington about local events and businesses and matters of interest
for the local community. The magazine is delivered free to every house
in the village by local volunteers. A copy can be downloaded from The
Kennington Chronicle website.
In rotation with the other two churches in Kennington, the Roman Catholic
Church of the Good Shepherd and the Methodist church, St Swithun's provides
modern day "loaves and fishes" for the Gatehouse
project in Oxford. This is a place of safety, sanctuary and food for
those in Oxford, particularly those who are homeless or poorly housed.
For offers to help with this or more details please contact Margaret Smith
or e-mail the webmaster, webmaster@stswithunskennington.org,
who will pass on your message.
A regular collection is also held for the local homeless shelter to collect
essential items for them such as toothbrushes, food and socks. For offers
to help with this or more details please contact Ann Coulter or e-mail
enquiries@stswithunskennington.org,
who will pass on your message.
 St
Swithun's is a fair
trade church. Fair trade products offer an opportunity for producers
to get a fair price for their products and also a premium which benefits
for the community. Being a fair trade church means we use Fair Trade tea,
coffee and other items where possible. We have a sale of fair trade goods
usually twice a year including one during Fair Trade Fortnight.
Members of the congregation visit Kennington's village Mother and Toddler
group on a regular basis.
Members of the guiding and scouting movements are invited to attend church
services and parade their pennons as part of the Service of Remembrance
on Remembrance Day culminating in a service in St Swithun's Church.
St Swithun's Church strives to involve other village organisations.
As an example as part of the celebrations of 50 years since the new Church's
consecration in February 2008, village organisations were invited to produce
new kneeler designs, a selection of which can be seen below. The kneelers
in the picture represent Kennington Festival Handicap Group, St Swithun's
Church of England School, KADS (Kennington Amateur Dramatic Society),
KHS (Kennington Horticultural Society), KOA (Kennington Overseas Aid)
and the Parish Council.
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