Dear all,

I hope you have had a good summer, with time to rest, enjoy family and friends, and perhaps even have some real holy-days—days in which we were able to slow down and become more aware of God’s presence. Now, as September begins, we find ourselves standing at the start of a new season.

For many of us, September brings a new journey. Some are returning to school or beginning a new academic year. Some have received GCSE or A-level results and are stepping into a new chapter of life. Others are starting a new job, returning refreshed to work after the summer, or simply facing new responsibilities and opportunities.

Every journey involves moving towards a future we have not yet visited. And every journey needs company  and vision—a sense of whom we travel with, where we are going and why—that gives us joy to travel and courage to keep moving when the road becomes difficult.

As a church, we too are beginning a journey together. This autumn, through our Sunday sermons and daily readings from Matthew’s Gospel, we will travel under the theme:

The Kingdom Call: The King and His People

The Kingdom Call is the call to radically follow Jesus our Lord and King and to become a people shaped by his character and engaged in his mission. Matthew will show us that following Jesus is not simply about knowing more about him; it is about allowing his life and teaching to reshape the way we live—how we reconcile broken relationships, forgive as we have been forgiven, believe and bear witness, respond to his invitation, give him our undivided allegiance, and serve faithfully with all that he has entrusted to us.

But there is another important aspect of this journey.

Travelling alone is one thing; travelling with others is quite another.

Following Jesus may sometimes appear to be an individual journey—my faith, my prayers, my discipleship, my relationship with God. Yet the Bible gives us a much richer picture. Jesus does not simply call isolated individuals to follow him; he gathers a people around himself. Following the King is a communal journey.

That changes the way, the what and the why we travel.

When I travel alone, I can decide my own speed, where to stop, and when to move on. But when we travel together, I have to notice the people around me. Someone may be tired. Someone may be struggling. Someone may have fallen behind. Someone may need encouragement, forgiveness, patience or simply another person to walk beside them. Following Jesus means that we cannot always insist on travelling at the pace that suits us personally. It means slowing down or speeding up so that another person is not left alone.

This is especially clear in Matthew 18. Jesus speaks about becoming like little children, caring for the “little ones,” seeking the one sheep that has wandered away, repairing broken relationships, forgiving repeatedly, and gathering together in his name. The chapter gives us a beautiful picture of the church as a community. The question is not only, “How am I following Jesus?” but also, “How are we following him together?”

That means our journey through Matthew cannot consist only of private Bible reading. We need communal spaces in which we can practise following Jesus together.

During this season, we will therefore offer some communal spaces to travel together: our Thursday evening prayer space, where we can seek God and pray with and for one another; Practicing the Way, a course exploring how we can become apprentices of Jesus together—being with him, becoming like him, and learning to live as he lived; and, at the heart of our shared life, our Sunday worship, when we gather around Word and Sacrament as the people of God.

I want to encourage you not to see these simply as extra church activities competing for space in a busy diary. Consider them part of the journey itself—spaces where Christ forms us together as his people.

So this autumn is more than a sermon series, a course, and more than a Bible-reading plan. It is an invitation to travel together with Jesus—to listen, learn, pray, worship, encourage one another, carry one another when necessary, and allow the King to shape us into the people of his Kingdom.

My prayer is that, as we journey through this season together, we will not only come to know our King more deeply, but increasingly become a community that looks like him, honoring Him,  and joins in his mission.

Let us travel together, following our King.

Your brother and servant,

 Adel Shokralla
Vicar, St James Church - Alperton.

We are beginning a new course together: Practicing the Way.

This is more than a Bible study or a set of good ideas. It is an invitation to become apprentices of Jesus—to be with him, to become like him, and to learn to live as he lived.

In a busy world that constantly shapes our desires, habits, and attention, Jesus calls us again: “Come, follow me.” This course will help us make space for that call in ordinary life: in prayer, work, family, relationships, rest, service, and witness.

Over the coming weeks, we will explore how a simple Rule of Life—shared rhythms and practices—can help us remain rooted in Christ and grow together as his people. Whether you have followed Jesus for many years or are still finding your way, you are warmly invited to join us.

Come with openness, honesty, and a desire to take one more step with Jesus.

From September to November (Christ the King Sunday), we are beginning a 12-week journey through Matthew’s Gospel under the theme
The Kingdom Call: The King and His People.

Alongside our Sunday sermon series, this daily reading plan invites us to walk through Matthew together as a church—listening to Jesus, discovering more deeply what his Kingdom is like, and learning what it means to be His people.
Each day offers a short passage, reflection, question and prayer to help us not simply read the Gospel, but allow the words and ways of Jesus to shape our everyday lives.

This is more than an individual reading plan.
It is a shared journey of discipleship. As we read the same Gospel, pray through the same themes and gather each Sunday around the same King,
our hope is that we will grow together into a people shaped by his character
and engaged in his mission.

Whether you read in the morning, at the end of the day, or with someone else, make space to meet Christ in His Word.

One King. One people. One journey together.

Download the booklet 

We are beginning a new series of Women’s Reflective Evenings based on the Book of Esther.

Week 1 — Hiddenness and Identity
Tuesday 6 October, 7:30 pm

Week 2 — Fear, Courage, and Calling
Tuesday 13 October, 7:30 pm

Week 3 — Wisdom, Timing, and Presence
Tuesday 20 October, 7:30 pm

Week 4 — Speaking the Truth
Tuesday 27 October, 7:30 pm

Esther’s story speaks powerfully into ordinary life: seasons of uncertainty, hidden struggles, courage, identity, wisdom, and the quiet ways God works behind the scenes. Although God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, his presence and providence can be seen throughout the story.

Together, we will reflect on Esther’s journey and ask what it means for us to live faithfully, courageously, and wisely “for such a time as this.”

These evenings will include Bible reflection, prayer, stillness, and space for personal reflection and conversation.

All women are warmly invited.

Wednesday Communion Service 

Our Wednesday 10:30 am Communion Service will resume after the August break
on 9 September 2026.

All are warmly welcome to join us for this midweek time of worship, prayer, Scripture and Holy Communion.

From September, we will begin a new Sunday sermon series:
The Kingdom Call: The King and His People.

The Kingdom Call is the call to follow the King and to become a people shaped by his character and engaged in his mission.

In this series, Matthew’s Gospel shows us what following the King looks like in practice: reconciling broken relationships, forgiving as we have been forgiven, believing and bearing witness, responding to his invitation, giving him our undivided allegiance, and serving faithfully with all he has entrusted to us.

Are you interested in learning more about the Christian faith
or growing and deepening your roots in its foundations? 

Wherever you are on your journey of faith,
this may be the perfect time to take the next step. 

Whether you're new to Christianity or seeking a deeper connection with your faith,
our Baptism or Confirmation classes
provide a welcoming and supportive space to explore.
Through guided discussions and learning together about the Christian story,
you’ll grow in your faith alongside others. 

If you or someone you know is considering this step,
please contact the vicar here. 

If you're someone who wants to help but isn't sure how.
Why not consider speak to us

Your volunteering would be greatly appreciated, and we’re confident it will make a meaningful difference in the life of our parish and beyond.

Please contact Revd Adel 

Please contact SANDRIA: hall@stjameschurchalperton.co.uk