I’m still having to be creative about posts due to the lockdown; hope you like this selection of words I’ve seen on notices, posters and plaques around the capital (visited before the lockdown, I hasten to say) and more locally, revealing more of God’s presence on our streets (see also January).

Prayer for Workmen at Lambeth Palace

No apologies for repeating this picture from January. I love that the Archbishop of Canterbury specifically said a blessing over all the workers on the building site at Lambeth Palace, how many other building sites get a blessing, do you think?

Sign outside St Botolph Aldersgate

This sign emphasises that, though the church building is wonderfully old, with so much history and beauty, the most important thing is that Jesus is present now and has been for 1,000 years. It makes me think of everyone who has worshipped here down the ages. I wasn’t able to go inside but it’s on my list of places to visit when lockdown ends. (It’s a very long list!)

John Wesley Conversion Plaque

Amazingly, this huge bronze plaque is situated right outside the Museum of London, you can’t miss it! I talked about this in my Museums in March post; John Wesley and his brother Charles were active in the church: doing good works among the poor and leading Bible studies. But I’m guessing they did not realise that God’s love could be personally assured for each individual. I love the way it says ‘In the Evening I went very unwillingly to a Society……’ (presumably a Bible study group of some sort!) While he was there, John ‘felt my heart strangely warmed’ – the Holy Spirit was convicting him of his sin, but at the same time, assuring him that Jesus had forgiven him and saved him ‘from the Law of Sin and Death.’ Not often you see a testimony outside a museum, I love it!

Sign at St Mary-le-Bow, EC2

Inclusive Church believes that the suffering caused by discrimination is the same, whatever its reason. ‘IC’s unique interest and expertise is in recognising the experience of being “outside” because of the process of discrimination……(it) confronts the generic problem of discrimination within the church. It does this by promoting an inclusive view of the scriptures and appealing to the values of social justice.’ From www.inclusive-church.org.uk Brilliant stuff!

Chaldon Church, near Old Coulsdon

One of the benefits of lockdown is exploring and visiting places nearer to home. This gorgeous country church is reached by crossing Happy Valley and some crop fields, and then along a country lane. And still has a Croydon postcode! The Vicar has had the brilliant idea of providing wood discs and pens for people to decorate or write a message to hang on the yew tree. These are a few of my favourites.