I’ve already blogged briefly about attending a 100th anniversary event – to celebrate the ‘birthday’ of the Moravian Church in Hornsey.

I want to return to that topic – to say a little about why I think that church, and others like it, bring something special to our community – even to those of us who don’t go to worship there.

The church’s history itself shows how our capital and society have been changing over the years. The church was founded in 1908 as the “daughter-congregation” of the Moravian Church in Fetter Lane (today in Chelsea).

Many members of Fetter Lane had moved to the northern outskirts of London and decided to build a new church in Hornsey. It used to be a predominantly “white English” church but over the years, especially between the early ’50s and the mid ’70s, its congregation changed as London’s population changed and it is now predominantly a “black Caribbean” church – complementing the historic roots of the Moravian Church, which was carrying out missionary work was in the Caribbean in the early eighteenth century.

Thus in this institution we see a microcosm of how our society and institutions can – and do – successfully change over time, bringing together people as our population changes. Its role is greater though than simply what it does for its worshippers – it is part of our wider community.

And so even though I am not part of the congregation, the church has regularly featured in my life. So many community events happen there. During my eight years as a councillor (Muswell Hill ward), I regularly held surgeries there. I’ve been to many flower shows there. I’ve often spent election day in and around the church – it being one of the regular polling stations. And so on.

Our community – whether we are Christian, Muslim, Jew, other faith or no faith – would be the poorer without it. And community is vital. One of the real issues we are all facing as a community is the change in the institutions and structures of our lives as there used to be.

The old structures that held our society safely in place – be that marriage, the law, class or a virtual, unwritten but universal understanding of acceptable behaviour – are far less certain, uniform or permanent than used to be the case. Consumerism seems to rule OK.

But the periods of relief from ‘quick fix’ solutions or momentary glow from ‘retail therapy’ is getting shorter and shorter. We seem to see our welfare in terms of our purchasing power. We value appearance rather than substance.

So how – in this world that has moved on from those ‘old-fashioned’ values – can we create structures or environment that value our human good qualities more and place less importance on wealth or status?

Well – here we are with one part of the answer. A church that works and seeks to support and help and be part of that community. And further – a church that is aware of their responsibility as stewards for our world. This is why they are interested in social and environmental aspects. (And it is interesting to see how in the USA, increasing support for action against global warming is coming from the religious right – driven by a similar believe in the responsibilities of stewardship.)

Part of the Moravian Church’s plans for the centenary year is the installation of solar panels on the roof of our community hall in August 2008. At the end of last year and the beginning of this year they have done extensive building work (refurbishment of the south elevation and of the steeple) – about £80,000. They will continue with the other elevations and the community hall as they raise further funds – preserving and improving not just their own building, but a building that is part of the wider community.

So – it was a delight to help celebrate 100 years of our Hornsey Moravian Church – and I’m looking forward to the next 100.