Some of the readers of City Events who pick up their copies from City churches may not know that they do not just "arrive" but are delivered by a team of volunteers from the Friends of the City Churches along with publicity material about some City church events provided to the Friends’ office by individual City churches. This free service is masterminded by John Reynolds. It is just one way that the Friends of the City Churches puts into action its remit of encouraging the use of City churches and providing publicity about them.

City Events has kindly allowed us to insert a page or two each month to spread our message and provide more information about the City churches following City Events’ change of format last year. We hope that you find it interesting.

The organisation was refounded in response to the Templeman Report which had recommended closure/mothballing of many City churches and has been much encouraged by its present Patron, Bishop Richard. We have over 700 members and some of these are particularly active and "church watch" in pairs to allow churches that would otherwise be closed to visitors and worshippers to remain open and secure. We presently watch in St Mary Aldermary, St Martin Ludgate, St Dunstan in the West, St Sepulchre, All Hallows London Wall and St James Garlickhythe.

Events are arranged for members both within City churches and looking at churches elsewhere on the annual ‘Chairman’s Outing’. In 2002 we explored some churches in Somerset around Glastonbury. In response to the Jubilee celebrations of HM The Queen, we joined with the London String of Pearls and arranged a series of free lectures in St Margaret Pattens about church history and the City over the past 50 years, which were well received.

For some years, the Friends have worked from an office in St Margaret Pattens, but due to our increasing activity and support we have taken office space in nearby St Magnus the Martyr. Our move is due at about the time of publication of City Events and like all house moves we shall be in touch with both churches for a while. In the meantime, information about the Friends can be obtained by telephoning 020 7626 1555 and leaving a message on our answerphone.