MetCPA

Supporting officers and staff to be the best that they can be

Christmas

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Christmas Tree Project

Spreading the Christmas cheer

We’ve launched our biggest ever charity event to ensure thousands of children across the capital receive a special Christmas present this year.

Commissioner Cressida Dick was joined by poster competition winner Lavinia Zimarino, aged 10 and from Sutton, to get the appeal underway by turning on the Christmas tree lights outside New Scotland Yard for the first time, at the Met’s new HQ.

The Met’s Christmas Tree Project has been an annual event since 2012, spreading its cheer across London with trees being lit up by officers outside police stations and in other public places in all of London’s 32 boroughs to ensure more children in need have a present delivered to them in time for Christmas Day.

Lavinia’s police sleigh and Christmas tree poster design was chosen from over 4,000 entries from children across London.

Last year’s Christmas tree was placed outside Hyde Park police station while the Met moved to its new home on the Victoria Embankment.

The event resulted in 17,016 gifts being given to children across London and over £20,000 was donated on JustGiving by 493 supporters to go towards presents for children who might not ordinarily get one.

The lights were turned on at 17:30hrs on Tuesday, 14 November, outside New Scotland Yard.

The Commissioner says,“At this time of giving and festivities, we have the opportunity to spread a little joy to those children less fortunate and in care.

“Since our Christmas Tree appeal in 2012, we have seen its success grow year after year. The generosity and goodwill of officers, staff and fellow Londoners, will see the presents delivered to children and young people in care this Christmas.

“My deepest thanks go to all those who donate.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, says,“Christmas is a time for giving, and the Met’s Christmas Tree appeal offers a chance to make a real difference to young and vulnerable Londoners in care.

“An incredible amount of money was raised last year with thousands of young people across the capital receiving gifts, and I know Londoners will be just as generous this year. I urge everyone to get involved and let these children know we are thinking of them at Christmas.”

How you can give a gift: 

Londoners are encouraged to get behind the campaign and give a gift by taking a tagged ribbon from a tree on your borough or at New Scotland Yard, and following the instructions on the tag.
You can also visit the online virtual Met Christmas tree at www.met.police.uk/christmastree

In addition, this year members of the public can also donate money if they are unable to buy a gift by visiting the Just Giving webpage at: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/saferlondon/metxmastree

The gifts will be for children aged from one-week to 17-years-old and benefit those in need across all London boroughs. The children are currently being cared for by foster parents, in residential care homes, in refuges, in hospitals, or are children from low income families.

The suggested spend for gifts this year is no more than £20.

All gifts will be delivered to the children before Christmas Day

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Celebration of Christmas

Reserve your free place at the LCPF Celebration of Christmas, December 7th, 6.30pm at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London

In addition to the many local borough Christmas events that take place, this is the first year  in our 134 year history that we’re running two met wide Christmas Celebrations.

In addition to the planning and operation of the formal Commissioners Christmas Service held at Westminster Abbey each year we wanted to develop another event for those who can’t make the Commissioners event, or those who prefer a more contemporary style.

This event will be similar in style to our main annual celebration of Christianity – to see a short video of our last annual celebration click here.

Click here to reserve your free ticket for the LCPF Celebration of Christmas – 7th December 6.30pm

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Christmas Message

Merry Christmas everyone!  Especially to those who will be working to keep London safe over Christmas while others are celebrating with friends or family.

For many the Christmas is a good chance for a ‘knees up’; a festival that brightens an otherwise dreary winter season, and personally I’m all for it! However there is deeper significance waiting to be discovered that, if found will revolutionize our lives.

Those of us who have young children at school or nursery may proudly watch them in Christmas nativity plays where we are likely to hear the angels say to the shepherds “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.   The angels were declaring that Jesus would bring peace, but what did that actually mean?

Peace sounds great! I mean who doesn’t want peace- peace of mind, peace in our families, peace in our communities and in the wider world?

While there is so much that is good and to be celebrated in this world, 2000 years after the birth of Jesus it is obvious that we are not experiencing universal peace on earth. There is war in Syria and in other parts of the world; there are governments that oppress and kill their own people; communities that are deeply divided; families and friends that seem incapable of being at peace and individuals who feel that peace of mind evades them.

Jesus told his followers that there would still be wars and division. He even said there would be divisions over issues of faith, in families and that those who followed him would be persecuted.  So what did the angels mean when they proclaimed that peace would come with the arrival of Jesus?

The Bible teaches that it starts with you and me, we can find peace of mind for ourselves. Through faith in Jesus we are promised immediate peace with God our maker. His peace can rule in our hearts and when we pray he promises us a peace that goes beyond human understanding.  God promises to bring peace to us, meaning that we can be at peace even in desperately difficult and sad situations.

Secondly we can be God’s peace envoys to the world. We are told to be peaceful towards others. Romans 12 says “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath”.

The Bible also describes Christians as God’s ambassadors and the fragrance of God to the world. So the message of peace at Christmas is that God promises to bring us peace if we invite him in; that we can find peace with God and that through us he brings peace to others around us and to the wider world.

I hope you have  a happy and peaceful Christmas.

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Refelection Christmas 2016

Dear all good afternoon!

25 things!

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called    Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9 6-7.

In the words of the song ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year!’ and as Christmas rapidly approaches our thoughts turn to all the things associated the Christmas season. Over the past few weeks every time someone has mentioned something ‘Christmas related’ I wrote it down until I had 25 things that we associate with Christmas and here they are:

Christmas tree, Christmas dinner, Father Christmas/ Santa, Presents, Cards, The Queen, Bond film, Decorations, Family, End of Term, Christmas jumper, Christmas party, Mince Pies, Christmas pudding, Carol Singing, Crackers, Pigs in Blankets, Turkey, Goose, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘It’s a wonderful life’, Reindeer, Letter to Father Christmas, Chocolate Advent calendar and The fairy tale of New York……. Oh and one more for luck….. Brussels (Sprouts!).

 

These are things that friends and family have spoken about in front of me this year- many of the things on the list you will probably have in your mind as being associated with Christmas in your own family or household-  there will be things that are not on this list that mean ‘Christmas to you’ for instance if you ask anyone in my extended family what they are looking forward to they will probably say ‘home made stuffing’ that is the highlight of Christmas dinner every year in the household Evans….. (Yummy!)

The truth is that every single household does Christmas differently, for some it is noisy (us) and hectic (again us) for others it is a quiet time that is spent peacefully. Some go away to warmer climes every year, some cook, some get cooked for, some look forward to Turkey others don’t! However you spend Christmas and whatever means Christmas to you is unique to you and your celebration….. some of you may even not like sprouts?

 

So what is the one thing we have in common at Christmas?? The answer as they say is in the question- the common theme is Christ! The connection that cuts through all the other stuff I listed above and all the things that make this time of year special to you is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ so beautifully predicted around 700 years before his birth in Isaiah 9!  

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and saviour and it is this that should be the first thing we think of at this time of year- with this in mind we have been running a social media campaign on Twitter and Facebook called the ’25 tweets of Christmas’ focusing on the real and beautiful reason for the season! There is still time for you to see all of the tweets and posts if you check out the details of our twitter/Facebook accounts below!

 

The birth of Jesus is truly something to be celebrated- when we think about that first Christmas night it was night of celebration excitement and wonder:

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

Luke 2 8-14.

 

That first Christmas, no mince pies, no tree, no home-made stuffing….. none of the 25 things above! Just the perfect gift given to each of us!

Christmas is a time for giving and sharing- I decided that this year my ‘Chocolate advent calendar’ at work was going to be just a small thing that I shared with others- I have given away every single chocolate to someone in my department this year- and when asked why I simply reply that I am sharing Christmas…. In a small way!

 

The real and true message of Christmas is Love- God loves us so much that at Christmas he gave us the ultimate gift- one that we didn’t deserve or earn but one that was given to us freely-

‘For God so Loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’

John 3:16

Christmas truly starts with Christ and the message of Christ is that he loves us- this is something that we need to share with others at this ‘most wonderful time of the year’.

So this Christmas enjoy the 25 things above (26 including the sprouts) but don’t let them replace the one important thing-Jesus. It is important to remember the true reason for the season and share that reason with those around you if you can.

So from the Branch Leadership team and our families God Bless you all this Christmas and we look forward to continuing to serve you in 2017.

God Bless

Keith

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Stewards needed

Dear All,

Monday the 19th December sees the Annual MPS Carol service take place at Westminster Abbey. This is the key milestone calendar event for both the MPS and the LCPF with over 2000 attendees. Key to its success as always for any event are those volunteers who support the Abbey in making it happen. Could you volunteer?

What will I be doing? Its open to anyone in the MPS, whether Police Officer or member of staff. You will be asked to come to the Abbey for 1700hrs to change into Tunics/suits/smart clothing, have a quick briefing from myself and then when the doors open at 1730 assist in checking tickets and facilitating people to their seats. On conclusion of the service at 1900hrs you will then help facilitate guests out of the Abbey.

It was a great event last year and really worthwhile . If you want to volunteer please email me and I will be in contact, many thanks, Neil.

Neil.Evans@LCPF.org.uk