You'll probably know this already but we are looking forward to 20 visitors coming to us for a long weekend Thurs 30 April to Monday 4 May (so in less than a week's time). The exchange with the amWeinberggemeinde has been running for well over 20 years.

Thank you, first of all, if you are providing accommodation - the visit could not happen without you. The same is true if you are helping with the planning, the catering or the logistics. There are further tasks that we are going to need help with: more of that later on.

The second reason for writing this email is to invite you to any, or all, of the events that we have planned.

Here is the timetable we've shared with our guests:

Arrival at Christ Church is late in the evening of Thursday 30th. Everyone seems to be arriving at different times, so guests will go straight to their hosts' homes. They might need a snack before they go to bed.

Fr. 1st May  

8.30am Morning Prayer at Christ Church. Coffee and biscuits afterwards

10am Meet at Island Gardens DLR for journey to Tower Gateway DLR. Walk to 120 Fenchurch St for visit to the Roof Garden

12noon walk to St Olave's Church 

Sandwich lunch 

on completion, tour of this historic church by the Rector, Rev. Philip Dawson

on completion, walk to St Lawrence Jewry to meet the Guildhall's Church chaplain Fr. James Title, introduction to the City of London

on completion, visit to the Guildhall Gallery, or to All Hallows by the Tower (or both)

Free time / worship preparation

7pm Evening meal (Cumberland sausages and mash, onion gravy, cheesecake and berry fruits with cream, coffee and tea to follow)

Performance of 'Metropolis' - Fritz Lang's silent film on modernity and city life  accompanied with live music by Dennis Tjiok

Community Singing (if wanted)

Sat 2nd May

8.30am Morning Prayer at Christ Church. Coffee and biscuits afterwards

10.15 gather at Christ Church and walk to Masthouse Terrace Pier to catch the 11.15am Uber boat to Barking Riverside

On arrival, meet up with Rev Unesu Chindabata who will give us a tour of her parish and church 

Lunch at Christ Church Barking

On completion travel back to the Isle of Dogs or into London by tube.

Free time / worship preparation

7pm Evening meal at Christ Church (Beigels and smoked salmon/ salt beef, cheeses, cold meets, salads, cake and cream, coffee and tea to follow.

DJ performance by Julien Lee who has a residency at the uber cool St Katharine's Foundation

Community Singing (*if wanted)

Sun 3rd May

11am Ecumenical Service, with preacher Dr. Christine Schlund, Minister of the amWeinberggemeinde, Berlin. There will be music from our guests some of whom are bringing their instruments.

1pm lunch (salmon, chicken, vegetables, potatoes, lemon drench cake and cream/ custard)

Free time for our guests

All of the above meals and events are open to everyone. All we ask is that for each meal we have 4 - 6 volunteers to serve and to wash up. If you have enjoyed yourself you might like to use the contactless terminal in church to make a donation. On Sunday we will need more helpers to stack chairs and lay out tables.

Hoping to see you at these events

Fr. Tom