news & notices

Sat 19 October 3:00pm - 3:45pm - Songhaven at Lumen

Sat 21 September 3:00pm - 3:45pm - Songhaven at Lumen

Sat 21 September 10:00am - 5:00pm (last entry 4:45pm) - Open House London at Lumen

Wed 26 September 7:30pm - 9:30pm - The Quartet Pro Musica

On the 26th of September 2018 the Quartet Pro Musica will perform two premières - Dominic McGonigal's first string quartet In Conversation and the second, Mathilde.
The concert will be at Lumen (Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RS) - 7.30 pm start.
Dominic McGonigal's work has been described as "confident writing for instruments and voices, great textures and a perfect sense of spacing and pacing." His commissioned compositions have been premiered at impressive settings such as St. Paul's Covent Garden and Southwark Cathedral and selected by prestigious choirs such as the BBC Singers with Judith Weir.
The Quartet Pro Musica was formed in 1955 by its original and current leader, Patrick Halling. Over the years the quartet has been involved in acclaimed recordings for the BBC, and has played in many of the leading venues in the country. The current members, Patrick Halling (violin), Keith Lewis (violin), Sarah Pope (viola) and Myrtle Bruce-Mitford (cello), continue this tradition of excellence in chamber music, as they perform and record a wide repertoire from the classical, romantic and modern eras.
Charlotte Broker, as well as performing in Mathilde, will sing Schubert Gretchen am Spinnrade, Heidenröslein, Auf dem Wasser zu singen, and Schumann Die Lotosblume, Widmung. Charlotte is a Franco-German soprano, working as a soloist in London. Her repertoire is wide-ranging from early music with recent concerts including Bach cantata BWV 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, to newly commissioned works. She was a choral scholar and solo recitalist at Emmanuel College, Cambridge while reading for a History of Art degree at Clare College, Cambridge. Charlotte is currently studying for her MA on a scholarship at Trinity Laban conservatoire, under teacher Patricia Rozario.

Sat 22 September 10:00am - 5:00pm - Open House London

London Open House Day on Saturday 22nd September from 10 am to 5 pm. Come and take a look at this remarkable building and find out more about its architecture and history

Sat 9 June 7:30pm - The Space of Spirit - Vocal Constructivists

This programme juxtaposes pieces by Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) with new works designed to stimulate greater sonic awareness. Oliveros celebrated the sounds considered marginal by others, coining the term Deep Listening to describe what it meant to listen ‘in every possible way to every thing possible to hear no matter what you are doing’. An activist, composer, visionary, and performer, Oliveros was a pioneer of electronics, meditative music, improvisation, alternate tuning systems, accordion playing, and multimedia events. Her work with myth, ritual, and the environment had a profound influence. Pieces by Neely Bruce (b. 1944), Ron Kuivila (b. 1955), Paula Matthusen (b. 1978), Michael Parsons (b. 1938), and Margrit Schenker (b. 1954) similarly explore listening and sounding in various manifestations. The programme is designed to free Deep Listeners from some of the sociopolitical forces that can limit our sensory perception of the world.

‘Take a walk at night. Walk so silently that the bottoms of your feet become ears’ (Oliveros, Sonic Meditation)

The Vocal Constructivists specialize in the performance of text and graphic scores, alongside works that extend traditional notation. Formed by Jane Alden in 2011, the group was the first ensemble to give a fully vocal performance of Cornelius Cardew's Treatise (published 1967). They have since performed works by a variety of composers, including Mark Applebaum, Anthony Braxton, Meredith Monk, Bogusław Schäffer, and Christian Wolff. They have performed at the South London Gallery, Morley College, Hanbury Hall, V22 Summer Club (The Old Biscuit Factory), The Forge, Arcola Theatre, and Peckham multi-storey car park (in the 2013 London Contemporary Music Festival). The group has made guest appearances in Canterbury, Southampton, Dublin, and in New York (USA). The Vocal Constructivists have commissioned and premiered twenty works, establishing themselves as an important force in new music-making. Coming from diverse backgrounds, with ages ranging from 18 to 78, the Vocal Constructivists draw on a variety of artistic influences – classical, global, avant-garde, eclectic, and dramatic. Experimentalism is a primary motivation, propelling the group away from an expected sound world. Their CD Walking Still is available on the Innova label (#898).

Wed 5 July - Thu 14 September - Llandudno to Thang Tho - Chris Clunn

Lumen Gallery, Weekdays 9 am - 4.30 pm

25 years of street photography from around the world. www.chrisclunn.com

Friday 7 July 6:30pm - Songhaven Fundraising Gala Concert

Lumen Church & Café

Performances by Natasha Day (soprano), Vivien Conacher (mezzo-soprano) & Somi Kim (pianist).

There will be a cash bar, nibbles, a screening of our new short film, and a raffle with amazing prizes.

All funds raised will go towards Songhaven, a FREE dementia-friendly concert series in central London.

Wed 3 May - Thu 29 June - Architecture As Art, Trench Town's self-built housing - Photographs by Charlotte C Mortensson

Lumen Gallery, Weekdays 8 am - 4.30 pm

Charlotte C Mortensson has been recording the ever-evolving architecture of Trench Town since 2008. The area was constructed in the 1940s by Jamaica's Central Housing Authority. It was built along a grid system, the one and two storey homes arranged around communal courtyards. Since then families have grown and people have extended their homes into the streets and courtyards. Many cannot afford breeze blocks and cement so recycled materials are used - wooden pallets, corrugated metal, aluminium printing plates. These structures are vibrant and powerful expressions of individuality and creativity in themselves. Seemingly random, the aesthetic of each wall and extension is carefully planned alongside its functionality. They do not only protect and shelter families and communities. Beauty and practicality are of equal importance.

Saturday December 17 6:30pm - Classical Café Winter Warmer - an evening of musical and culinary delights.

This Classical Café event is raising funds for Songhaven - a new initiative creating dignified, high-quality classical music concerts for people with dementia and their carers.

Tickets £25 from the Lumen Café.

Tuesday August 23 - Friday September 30, 2016 - The Ahadepa Project

Photos of Haiti by Gerald Marie-Nelly.

Saturday September 17, 2016, 10:00am - 5:00pm - Open House London

Friday August 12, 2016 6:30pm - Taiwanese Fellowship Friday Group

Movie watching "Love is Sin"

Alternative Summer Exhibition

18th July 2016 to 19th August 2016 - Open 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday

The exhibition includes a range of work, including ceramics, jewellery, photographs, prints, etchings, paintings etc. by amateur and professional artists some of which is for sale.

Commission on sales from the exhibition and gratuities from the café will be in aid of 'The Relatives and Residents Association', a charity which provides invaluable support to older people in residential care and their relatives. For more information about the essential work of this charity please see www.relres.org.

Friday July 29, 2016 6:30pm - Taiwanese Fellowship Friday Group

Movie watching "Son of God" (first half)

Friday July 15, 2016 6:30pm - Taiwanese Fellowship Friday Group

Movie watching "War room"

Saturday January 9, 2016 7pm - Supporting Displaced Iraqi Christians

Piano Recital by Carl Bahoshy

Carl's parents are Iraqi Christians now living in Britain where Carl grew up. He has been giving recitals in London Churches for over a year raising money for the charity which supports those people who are now refugees. This is the second recital he has given at Lumen and it would be good if we could get a reasonable-sized audience for this event. So please come if you can - the recital lasts for just an hour - and let others know about this event.

The Taiwanese fellowship celebrated New Year (The year of Goat) on 21 February 2015 with a special service followed by new year activities including Calligraphy.

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Christian Aid Week 2014: give people a future without fear

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PAST EVENTS

The background to the Bicentenary Service of The London Gaelic Chapel

In 1801 (in a pub in Covent Garden) the Highland Society of London approved a proposal to establish a Gaelic and English chapel in London. Seven years later, John McArthur (one of Nelson’s pursers in HMS Victory and a keen champion of Gaelic language and culture) persuaded the Society to set up a fund for the purpose. Some years after that, a permanent building was acquired for Gaelic and English worship in Hatton Garden and it was dedicated in 1813.

There were to be many setbacks and conflicts over the chapel, including a takeover by what is now the Royal Caledonian Education Trust, a special Act of Parliament and several court cases, culminating in a major battle between the Gaelic Society of London and the Royal Caledonian Education Trust in the High Court in 1872. The famous Edward Irving was appointed as English-speaking minister to the Chapel in the 1820s (John Lees conducted the Gaelic services) and for a time Irving’s preaching was so popular that the chapel was full to bursting, causing traffic jams with the horse carriages of those days.

The Gaelic chapel did not survive in its original form for very long. Its lineal descendant today, Lumen URC in Bloomsbury, left the Church of Scotland at the Disruption of 1843, has not had a Gaelic-speaking minister since 1906 and has not held regular Gaelic services since World War I. But Gaelic-medium worship continues in London to this day under other arrangements, and the service and meeting in July 2013 is intended to celebrate its survival and remember its history.

 THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

FRIDAY 18TH JANUARY UNTIL FRIDAY 25^th  JANUARY 2013

LOCAL ACTS OF WORSHIP IN THE KING’S CROSS AREA.

 Day 1  Friday 18th January at 9am

Morning Prayer at Holy Cross Anglican Church.

Day 2  Saturday 19th January at  6pm

Mass at St Aloysius RC Church,  Eversholt Street.

Day 3  Sunday 20th January at 7pm

Finnish Lutheran Service, Lutheran Student Chaplaincy,  Sandwich Street.

Day 4  Monday 21st January at 6.30pm

Vespers with the RC Consolata Missionary Community,  11 Regent Square.

Day 5  Tuesday 22nd January at 5pm

Service of the Word at Lumen United Reformed Church, 88 Tavistock Place.

Day 6  Wednesday 23rd January at 1.15pm

Eucharist at St Pancras Anglican Church,  Euston Road.

Day 7  Thursday 24th January at 7pm

Taizé prayers  Kings  Cross  Methodist  Church,  Crestfield Street.

Day 8  Friday 25th January at 8.30am

Morning Prayer at  Goodenough  College Chapel.

Kings Cross Local Ecumenical Partnership

A Bible Study Course at Lumen URC,

beginning on Wednesday 6^th June.

Convened by The Rev’d. Christopher Cawrse.

Bible Study     5th - 26th October   .......'Cash Values'

Open Day       17th & Sunday 18th September

Lumen was delighted to be participating in Open House again this year, and for thefirst time opened our doors to the public on both days, with a special Open House Sunday Service taking place at 11am

DIVERSITY COURSE 2011

Mon June - Monday 25th July

KING’S CROSS ECUMENICAL FELLOWSHIP :LENT GROUPS 2011

“SEEKING CHRISTIAN RECONCILIATION: LIVING WITH COMPLEMENTS AND OPPOSITES?”

Wednesday 23^rd March - Wednesday 13th April 

KING’S CROSS ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIP : AUTUMN BIBLE STUDY  

"THE AWARENESS FOUNDATION COURSE"

Wednesday 15th September - Wednesday 3rd November

‘One World Week' -Monday 18th October 7.00pm

Fr Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation,preached to local church and student groups

"Spring into Summer"

Series of joint church study sessions are planned for Wednesdays from June 9 to July 7 inclusive 

10.45 for 11am and to conclude by 12.15

Lent Course -“People on the Edge of His Pain” 

Woman's World Day of Prayer 5th March 2010  

 ‘Let everything that has breath praise God’     from Cameroon

Women's World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action, organised and led by Christian women who call the faithful together on the first Friday in March each year to observe a common day of prayer and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.The service is written by a different country each year and that country then becomes the focus of the world's prayers on the day itself, which begins as dawn breaks over the islands of Tonga in the Pacific and continues across each continent until the last services of this special day are held back in the Pacific,on the islands of Samoa, circling the world in prayer for 36 hours.

Prayer for Christian Unity

Joint lunch and worship at Kings Cross Methodist Church on 23 January (worship at 12 noon; gather from 11.45; bring lunch items). This is part of the week of prayer for Christian unity (18-25 January).

Advent Reflection and Worship  -  Wednesdays at 11am till 11.45

King’s Cross Methodist Church (Deacon Paul Wayne).

Lumen (Revd. Geoffrey Roper).

Holy Cross Church (Fr Christopher Cawrse).

Bible Study Course - Sept/Oct 2009

The Bible study groups for autumn 2009 were created on behalf of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland addressing the theme of global warming and the enviornment: 'Creation in Crisis - A Time for Prayer and Action'. They took place here over six Wednesdays in September and October, a King's Cross Churches Partnership in the Christian gospel. This shows the group gathered in the Peace Garden around the water feature designed for Lumen by Alison Wilding RA.

BIBLE STUDY COURSES THREE TIMES A YEAR.

Open Day - Saturday 19th September

We were open all day on Saturday 19th September as part of the country-wide 'open house' programme (http://www.openhouse.org.uk/public/london/ajchoice.html) There were guided tours on the hour every hour conducted by our architects Patrick Theis, Soraya Khan and Peter Vaughan, and our church treasurer John Beha. Over 400 people attended the course and declared Lumen an unqualified success! Please join us on Open Day next year.

Soraya explaining the construction of the 'Ray of Light'

Ecumenical Bible Study Course 2009

LOCAL ECUMENICAL BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

MEETING THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE ON WEDNESDAYS AT 11 am.

In the current Church Year our Gospel readings came from those written by St Mark, and we used these readings to explore the purpose for which Mark wrote his Gospel and the themes which emerge out of his thinking.

500 Years of Calvin 

2009 was the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Events were held in London and throughout the world to mark the occasion and as part of a series of talks and discussion being held around reformed churches in London (see http://www.calvin09.org.uk) we hosted an event on 29 April on ‘Calvin’s Understanding of Communion’, speaker Revd. Allan Smith.

Titian
Portrait of John Calvin
(1509-64)

Ecumenical Lent Course 2009

On Wednesday mornings during Lent 2009 we hosted an ecumenical study course devoted to exploring Christianity through the human senses, based on biblical and other material. The convenors included our church member Revd Geoffrey Roper, and you can hear some of the associated broadcasts on the BBC Radio 4 Sunday programme for as long as they continue to be available on the BBC website.

Taiwan's Future - April 2009

Our church has strong links with Taiwan, and in April 2009 we hosted a very successful meeting held by the Taiwanese Association of the UK to discuss freedom of speech and democratic development in Taiwan. The main speaker was Bi-Khim Hsiao, who was an opposition MP before her current role as special assistant to the leader of the opposition, and Wang Dan, one of the student leaders in the Tienanman Square events of 1989, was also in the audience.  

Wedding of Linda Anzi and Charles Chen - January 2009

Two members of our congregation, Linda Anzi and Charles Chen, were married in our church in January 2009. It was a very joyous occasion for us and the first time for many years that a marriage has taken place between members of the congregation. After the service, members of the church mingled with Linda and Charles’ other friends to listen to speeches and toast the happy couple. The bride insisted on doing the washing up!  (See pictures in Photo Albums.)

Gaelic-English Service to Mark 200 Years since our Original Founding - December 2008

Our church was full for the interdenominational Gaelic/English service we held in 2008 to mark 200 years since the Highland Society of London first set up the fund to create our church as a Gaelic Chapel. For the first time in about a century (since the time of our last Gaelic-speaking minister Alexander Connell) the building rang to the sound of Gaelic psalms and hymns (sung by Coisir Lunnainn, the London Gaelic choir) as well as a reading from the Gaelic bible by Angus Nicol representing the Highland Society of London and prayers from Father Calum MacLellan from the Hebridean isle of Eriskay, who also gave the address. A Gaelic bible was presented to the church in remembrance of its origins and of this special service.