| The
Parish Church of St James St. James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ (Parish Office 020 8941 6003) |
 |
 |
|
| THE
HISTORY OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH |
|
2000 - 2009: Key to Success - 2006 September
August 1989 - September 2006. A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS From the start of life to the end and everything in between, Brian is truly a “Man for All Seasons”. Whether with a babe in arms at a christening, entertaining the young and not so young, or conducting a graceful farewell at a funeral service, Brian’s message always has sensitivity, humour and above all a Christian spirit. Clive, Maria and Frances Beaumont HE GAVE ME CONFIDENCE One of Brian's skills is enabling people to have the confidence to do things which they might not believe they can do. I never believed that I would be capable of carrying out the duties of a churchwarden, but Brian has always inspired me to believe in myself and helped me to believe that I am not so stupid after all. I have never heard him talk down to anyone or patronize them. He empowers them. He even sweet- talked me into climbing up the enormous rock in Sri Lanka called Sigyuria. I never thought I could do it because it was very scary, but with his encouragement I did. Liz Butler CONCERN FOR WIDER WORLD Brian is a man of deep commitment, promoting the Christian message and, through his involvement with overseas development, he has inspired concern for the wider world. Vincent Cable
|
|||||||||||
BRIAN ACTIVELY ENCOURAGES CHILDREN When I first came to St. James’s with my young son I wondered whether children were welcomed, tolerated or simply ignored. I soon discovered they were certainly welcomed, encouraged to be actively involved rather than just tolerated and definitely not ignored - even when some children get slightly confused. At a Sunday School picnic one child asked: ‘Why is Jesus wearing shorts today and not his dress?’ But they were always encouraged to grow in faith and understanding. Brian’s patience at the annual Crib Service and his rapport with the young people at informal services has been amazing. Lou Coaker-Basdell KEEPING SCOUTS IN ORDER! Our most obvious interaction with Brian has been at the monthly Church Parades, but Brian has been an ongoing support in many other ways, such as question and answer sessions and helping our members to complete various aspects of their badge-work. He has visited Twickeree and has given us enlightening guided tours of the church. He managed the impossible: keeping a large group of Scouts seated and engaged one evening during lengthy preparations for a Q&A session. He has always been willing to listen to us and help when he could. Paul Fitchett CONVEYING THE TRUTH At Rectory School, later re-named Hampton Community College, Brian chaired various panels and was a counsellor to staff and families. We appreciated his broad-minded approach and his sense of the ridiculous, but most importantly the fact that he saw the truth and conveyed it. Netta Forward
|
|||||||||||
OPEN
DOORS IS A LASTING LEGACY
With Brian’s visionary concept of ‘Opening Our Doors’ realised, the beauty of St James’ and its vibrant life is open for all to see. The Parish Office provides a direct contact for all; to arrange baptisms, or marriages, or funerals, or hall bookings. In the north aisle, upholstered chairs and carpet have replaced the bare boards and pews. The prayer corner; the rebuilt organ; the large table and some pews moved to give more space at the west entrance. Reconstruction of the stained glass windows in the chancel and the south aisle. The churchyard, now open to view from Park Road, is maintained by the borough council. Jack Gostling FEW CHURCHES
HAVE OUR RANGE OF MUSIC
|
|||||||||||
AN ENDURING FRIENDSHIP When I was about four years old, one of my earliest memories is of a beautiful young girl with sparkling, fun-loving eyes, bounding towards me in the school playground and introducing herself as Anusha. It was the start of a great and enduring friendship, and the forging of a strong link between both of our families. Brian Leathard has come to mean a number of very different, and yet equally significant things to my two sisters, my mother, my father and to me. He is the man who made Christianity accessible and wonderful to the naïve and impatient mind of a child; and for all of us, he is a great friend. Aita Ighodaro (on behalf of ‘the Ighodaro girls’ - Enida, Aita and Natasha) DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, SAME MESSAGE November 1991… the church lit only by candles, a full congregation of British, Germans and Dutch. Our daughter Helen arrives with her two sisters, small niece and nephew in attendance. The wedding service is conducted in English and impeccable German by Brian… wedding vows made in English by Helen and German by Thilo, her husband-to-be. A unique and unforgettable occasion. The Baptisms: 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, same church, same vicar, same families, same languages and same heart-warming welcome at St James’. Brian is very special to all of us. Tony and Margaret Lawrence A WONDERFUL ROLE-MODEL AS A PRIEST When I first came to the vicarage part-way through my training for ordination, Brian had to clear papers off a table, then books off a chair so that I could sit down and I thought: ‘I like this man!’ As I grew to know him better the overwhelming impression has been of a very thorough, careful and prayerful person giving kind and gentle support and encouragement. He is a wonderful role-model as a priest and his loving support continues. Ros McDowell
|
|||||||||||
BRIAN
THE BUSINESSMAN COMPASSION |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
EMPEROR OF EMPOWERMENT In management-speak 'empowerment' may be an overused word, but in the context of Brian's 17 years at St James’ it accurately describes the way in which he has sought to build up the body of Christ within the church and in the wider community. By knowing people's skills and talents, followed by that all-important personal invitation, he has given many the confidence to take on roles and to contribute with remarkable effect to our common life. Lesley Mortimer THE VISITOR WHO CARED When my mother, Lesse Mills, was too confused to know who had visited her, we kept a visitors’ book. Brian was a frequent visitor. One entry, 1 November was: ‘Visited St Lesse on All Saints Day’. A small thing perhaps, but an indication of the value he put on every person in his care. When my back did not allow me to move from the floor, Brian would collect the therapeutic frozen peas, put them on my back and chat, replacing the peas in the freezer on his way out! Ruth Mills BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND As churchwardens at the time, we interviewed candidates for the post of Vicar of St. James’s. We knew what we wanted: a priest with a high degree of spirituality, who would encourage all believers; not somebody with the qualities of the archangel Gabriel, but one whose feet were firmly on the ground and yet whose faith was strong enough to lead us forward. We felt that Brian had all these qualities, and it has indeed proved to be the case. Lesley Mortimer and Alan Taylor
|
|||||||||||
SPEAKING
UP AGAINST INJUSTICE IN THE WORLD ENCOURAGING
CHILDREN TO UNITE IN SONG
|
|||||||||||
SO MANY MONDAYS... Monday mornings won’t be the same after 17 years of going to the study at the vicarage, sorting out the work for the week and having a cup of coffee and a chat. It has been a pleasure to work for you and the two curates, Freda and Julie, both so different but developing during their three years with us and now priests in their own parishes. We have been through lots of happy and sad times together in both our families and you have always been a great source of strength to me. Thank you for making my job so pleasurable. Janet Nunn SUPPORTER OF YOUNG AND OLD Brian has brought to our services, along with a great sense of sincerity and spirituality, a relaxed atmosphere, warmth and love. He is totally approachable by young and old, giving great encouragement and support to young families, evidenced by the number who now regularly attend our morning services. My family and I have found Brian extremely supportive in times of difficulty, for which I thank him. We will really miss Brian and all his family. We all wish them well in their new parish. Eila Severn GUIDE, PHILOSOPHER AND FRIEND I don’t know whether Alexander Pope had Brian in mind when he wrote of the ‘guide, philosopher and friend’, but Brian has been all these to many. He has shown us the way to live, to find the moral imperative and to become - we hope - better people. And truly he is a friend to us all: open, generous, understanding and kind. Thank you for being here, Brian. Margaret Taylor
|
|||||||||||
BRINGING HAPPINESS TO ALL OF US In 17 years, Brian has been so many things to so many people - preacher, teacher, friend, comforter, supporter, inspirer, challenger, theologian, writer, listener, music maker, thinker, mediator, visionary, priest, and many more. In doing all these things what he has really done is to bring happiness to people. Happiness because he cared, happiness because he took the trouble, happiness because he was himself. That happiness stays with us, and we shall always remember why. Rodney Taylor A LEADER AND A GIFTED TEACHER Brian has helped many people in many ways. I am grateful to him above all for his teaching. Any teacher instructs, or at least tries to do so. A good teacher enables students to learn and understand. Further, a gifted teacher can so empower a group that the teaching becomes interactive; all can learn from each other. Brian’s leadership has enriched us in this way. Dick Wilde THE FUNERAL OF OUR CHOICE When my husband Bill died nearly nine years ago, although an agnostic family, Brian enabled us to have the funeral of our choice. We had lived under the church spire for over 40 years and I had been involved with the church from week two. Bill and I had talked about our deaths, the need for ritual, and we hoped to have some of the ceremony in St James’. Brian was splendid. Thank you. Barbara Withers
|
|||||||||||
Salute to Brian Leathard St James’ Church Friday, 15th September, 2006, at 7.00 p.m. Introduced by Michael Bunce and Rodney Taylor Lesley Mortimer and Alan
Taylor - Brian’s arrival at St. James’s
Eila Severn – How the church has changed Children’s Choir Jack Gostling and Dick Wilde – Changes in the church fabric Bill Jerman and Netta Forward – Brian’s role in local schools Barbara Withers – Personal reflections Jennifer McEvoy – Personal reflections Vincent Cable, MP – Brian’s wider role in public life The Ighodaro Girls – Brian’s influence Lou Coaker-Basdell – Brian and Sunday School Ros McDowell – Brian and ordinands Ann Peterken – Brian’s support for charities at home and abroad Margaret Taylor and Tony Lawrence – St. James’s pilgrimages Ramani and Anusha Leathard and Peter – Life in the vicarage Ramani and Brian Leathard – Opening Our Doors Susannah Nettleton – Music at St. James’s Ash Charles – Bach organ music Liz Butler and Rodney Taylor – Churchwardens’ appreciation of Brian Brian Leathard – What I will take away from 17 years at St. James’s Finally Liz Butler thanked Michael Bunce for organising this ‘Salute to Brian’ and everyone else who took part. She invited everyone to the party in the hall and courtyard and a great time was had by all!
|
|||||||||||
On Sunday 17th September, at 9.30 am, The Revd. Preb. Dr. Brian Leathard administered his last service at the Parish Church of St. James, Hampton Hill, before taking up his new post of Rector of Chelsea on Thursday 5th October. The church was full to bursting with friends from near and far wishing to participate in this very moving service.
|
| Further Information |
|
 |
Associated pages on this website: St. James's Vicar |