All Saints Parish Newsletter 17th March 2017
Dear Friend,
The readings for Lent 3 share a common theme: God’s compassion for sinners. In Exodus God doesn’t write off his grumbling and ungrateful people but provides water for them in the desert. In Romans, Paul reminds us: ‘God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us’. In the Gospel, we see his compassion in action as Jesus shares the living water of God’s all-embracing love with a Samaritan woman, one whom he, a religious Jew, should shun.
And this compassion is framed, in the first reading and the Gospel, by the gift and sign of water. The water given to the people in the desert is life-giving; Jesus in his human nature needs water as they did; in his divine nature he dispenses it as sign and sacrament. In another passage Paul makes a further fascinating link between the Exodus story and our Lord:
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. (1 Cor. 10.1-4)
Paul’s radical inclusion of the past and present people of God mirrors Jesus’ radical inclusion of the Samaritan woman and her people in Sunday’s gospel. The gift of water is a sign of both human and divine, of how the incarnation signals the value God places on our embodied humanity, with its essential need for fresh, living water, and of how God, in the person of his incarnate Son, wishes our participation in divine, eternal life through the life-giving dispensation we know in word and sacrament. And it is a sign that this gift is true grace, overflowing and free, offered without entry qualifications or strings attached. If we are to receive it fully we are to rejoice that anyone, however unlikely or unsuitable according to our conceptions of morality and worth, can receive it too.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Michael Bowie
Assistant Priest
All Saints Margaret Street
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Asia Bibi, Adrian Davis, Andrew Evans, Tony Hawkins, Jan Williams, Paul Curno, Jack De Gruiter, David Evans, Lucy Bushby, Gwyneth Hopkins, Bishop Michael Perham, Andy Steenhoff, Roy Jenkins, Melanie Stimmler, Bill Rodger, Alix Bainbridge-Spring, Jenna Stanbrook, Carol Naismith, Fr John Wheeler and Wolfgang Shröder, Joy Wright, Fr Peter McGeary and Rosa Postance.
For the recently departed: Myrtle Hughes (for whom a sung Requiem Mass (Mozart Missa Brevis in F) will be celebrated at noon at All Saints tomorrow, Saturday 18 March, followed by refreshments), Victoria Nettey (whose Funeral takes place on 30 March) and Ian Searle.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week including:
Joan MacKintosh (Friend of All Saints), Millie Cathcart, Christine Tagoe, Mary Steward, Hugh Wiley Emily Pattisson, Margaret Baker, Charlotte Read, Olive Evans, Geoffrey Constable (Benefactor), Constance Kirk, Belle McCarthy (Matron of the All Saints’ Choir School), Beryl Williams and Ralph Ballard (Lay Clerk).
For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK:
TODAY – Friday 17 March 7pm (after Evening Mass)
STATIONS OF THE CROSS. Organist: Quentin Williams.
TOMORROW – Saturday 18 March – 12 noon – Requiem Mass (Mozart Missa Brevis in F) for MYRTLE HUGHES For many decades a regular worshipper at and good friend of All Saints (and stalwart helper of Christine Auton in the Parish Shop), Myrtle’s Funeral was held on Monday 27 February at her request at her local church – St Nicholas, Harpenden – where she worked in the Parish Office for many years. The Eulogy will appear in the April Parish Paper. We hope that many people will want to attend and refreshments will be served afterwards.
SUNDAY 19 MARCH – LENT 3
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Missa Brevis – Palestrina
Civitas sancti tui – Byrd
There is no Sunday Lunch this week.
EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar,
Prebendary Alan Moses
Short Service –Byrd
Salvator Mundi – Blow
WORSHIP NEXT WEEK
There will be no 12 Noon Mass at All Saints on SATURDAY 25 MARCH as the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary is marked that day at 12 Noon by High Mass & Procession of the Image of Our Lady at the Annunciation, Marble Arch.
Preacher: The Revd Canon Leanne Roberts, Canon Chancellor of Southwark Cathedral.
We are warmly encouraged to attend this Mass, which will be followed by a Reception.
Please Note: Clocks go forward by one hour overnight Saturday 25/Sunday 26 March.
SUNDAY 26 MARCH – LENT 4 (Laetare) – Mothering Sunday
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Miss Brevis in C, K 259 – Mozart
Ave Maria – Parsons
There is Sunday Lunch today, being cooked by Tom Leeman. Menu details to follow, but main and dessert with coffee. Tickets: £5 from the All Saints Shop before and after Mass (subject to availability).
EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
6pm Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Canticles in G – Stanford
Ave Maria à 8 – Victoria
PARISH NOTICES & NEWS
Sunday 2 April 2017, 12.45pm MEETING OF PARISHIONERS and
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
A Meeting of Parishioners will be held in Church, at which Churchwardens for the year 2017 – 2018 will be appointed. All persons whose names are entered on the church electoral roll of the parish and all persons resident in the parish whose names are entered on a register of local government electors by reason of such residence are eligible to attend. Any person wishing to be considered for the Post of Churchwarden must be (a) 21 years of age or over, (b) on the Electoral Roll and (c) an actual communicant member of the Church of England. Nominations must be proposed and seconded, and candidates must indicate their willingness to stand. In addition, candidates are asked to submit a short typed or clearly written statement giving the reasons for their wishing to stand, and the benefits they could bring to the post if appointed. Nominations for the post of Churchwarden MAY NOT be made at the meeting. Prebendary L. A. Moses, Vicar, 08/03/17
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will follow immediately. Only persons whose names are entered on the church electoral roll are eligible to attend. At the meeting THREE members of the laity will be elected to serve on the Deanery Synod for the period 1 June 2017 – 31 May 2020. FIVE members of the laity will be elected to serve on the Parochial Church Council for the years 2017 – 2020 and ONE member of the laity for 2017-18. Retiring members of the Council are Dan Fielden, Gillian Dare, Grenfell Prince, Kate Hodgetts, Ian Marsh and Ray Oram. Of these, only Ian Marsh is eligible for re-election. Candidates for election must be (a) on the Electoral Roll, (b) at least 16 years of age, and (c) actual communicant members of the Church of England. All nominations must be proposed and seconded by persons on the Electoral Roll and all candidates must indicate a willingness to stand. In addition, candidates are asked to submit a short typed or clearly handwritten statement giving their reasons for standing for election. Nomination forms may be found in Church. Although nominations may be made at the meeting, it would be helpful if completed forms, together with statements, are returned to the Parish Office by Wednesday 22 March to enable the papers to be available a week before the Annual Meeting. Sidesmen for the year 2017 – 2018 will be appointed at the meeting and the Independent Auditor for the year 2017 – 2018. John McWhinney, Honorary PCC Secretary, 08/03/17
LENT READING GROUP FRIDAY MORNINGS AND TUESDAY EVENINGS weekly in the Parish Room. We are studying Bishop Rowan Williams’ book Being Disciples. While not specifically designed as a Lent Book, it has a conveniently Lenten six chapters entitled: Being Disciples; Faith, Hope and Love; Forgiveness; Holiness; Faith in Society and Life in the Spirit.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
The devotion of Stations of the Cross is taking place after the Evening Mass at 7pm on Fridays during Lent. Organist: Quentin Williams.
ALL SAINTS LENT APPEAL 2017
Our Lenten almsgiving is directed to support our regular Mission Projects (USPG and the Marylebone Project), the Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal 2017 and the Soup Kitchen at the American Church and is made up of collections gathered at the services of Tenebrae and Good Friday along with the contents of individual Lent boxes. The proceeds will be shared between the four charities (please pick up a Lent Appeal Information pack in a white envelope at the door of Church):
- 1. Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal 2017 – Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow – is on behalf of ALMA, the Diocesan Partnership with Angola and Mozambique.
The economic situation in both Angola and Mozambique is severe with oil prices falling and currency devaluations. When coupled with the long-lasting drought that both countries are experiencing and also the political insecurity in Mozambique it is hard for our partners to find funds for their larger projects. We will be joining in with the three educational priorities that they have identified as critical for the future of the church:
Angola: is increasing the number of classrooms in its church schools to meet the huge need for school places and to meet new government requirements, ensuring a continuing Christian presence.
Lebombo (Southern Mozambique): is initiating a significant project to create a new accredited seminary outside Maputo to train the next generation of church leaders.
Niassa (Northern Mozambique): is building a church training hub with accommodation in Nampula for the huge Lurio region – to be used for training locally ordained priests, lay leaders, Mothers’ Union, community development fieldworkers and teams.
These are ‘church’ projects which would find it difficult to attract other funding. - 2. USPG – supporting the church in Zimbabwe working with those affected by HIV and AIDS and the stigma associated with these conditions, providing local clergy and lay leaders with skills and training.
- 3. The Marylebone Project (Homeless Women’s Centre) in London NW1– where our money goes towards providing one of the emergency beds.
- 4. The Soup Kitchen run by the American Church, Tottenham Court Road – addressing food poverty – one of the most pressing issues in London and the UK today, assisting people from 25 to over 80; from all backgrounds, from several ethnic groups, and many struggling with a variety of physical and mental problems – but all united by their need for a safe and welcoming community to be fed, heard and helped. One recently summed up what the Soup Kitchen means to him: ‘An oasis in the middle of homeless chaos.’ £5 provides bread for 1 day, £10 covers tea and coffee, £20 covers soup for 1 day – OR fruit – OR vegetables, £25 covers meat for 1 day, £100 covers all food and £300 covers all the Soup Kitchen’s (SK) running costs for 1 day.
The All Saints’ Lent Appeal in 2016 raised over £8,000 (including the funds generated by the Queen’s 90th birthday Raffle and applicable Gift Aid). Please give generously this year so we can try and raise more than in 2017. Cheques should be made payable to: Parochial Church All Saints. Please use a Gift Aid envelope wherever possible since it increases the value of your gift by 25% at no cost to you.
PARISH RETREAT, 19 – 21 MAY 2017
This year the Retreat will be from May 19-21 at Bishop Woodford House in Ely. It will be conducted by Fr Michael Bowie. If you want to come, or would like further information, please contact Martin Woolley on 07976275383 or at m.g.woolley@btinternet.com. Rooms will be allocated in the order in which bookings are received.
The WALSINGHAM NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE takes place on Monday 29 May. The preacher will be Padre Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, Preacher to the Papal Household. As in previous years, a coach will leave All Saints at 7.30 am. Please contact Ross Buchanan, Assistant Secretary to the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham, ASMS Mob: 07905 863578 or email: ross.r.buchanan@btinternet.com. if you would like to book a place.
The ALL SAINTS PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM will take place from Friday 21 – Monday 24 July. Places are limited. So if you would like to book place and have not already done so or would like to know more, please also contact Ross Buchanan (details above) as soon as possible.
BEYOND ALL SAINTS and of interest…
HUGH PRICE HUGHES 2017 LECTURES – “Speaking of God in Public”
All lectures at Hinde St Methodist Church, London W1. Admission free. All welcome.
Tuesday 4th April, 7.30pm
Thought for the Day – Can God be broadcast in soundbites?
Revd Dr Jane Leach [regular contributor to Radio 4’s flagship Today programme].
Tuesday 9th May at 7.30pm
Which God? Which public?
Revd Gareth Powell [Secretary of the Methodist Conference]
Gareth will begin to explore these questions in the context of the Methodist Church in Britain today. What is our experience of God? Which “God” are we speaking about? In what context are we speaking, and to whom? What are the ‘points of contact’? And how, in the light of this, do we speak of God in public with confidence and imagination?
** MISSION NEWS**
Men’s clothing especially is needed by the Jesus Centre in Margaret Street and also by the Soup Kitchen at the American International Church, both of whom provide a daily range of services to homeless people. If you have women’s or men’s clothes to give away, please bring to Church and leave at the Parish Office so we can continue to help support our neighbours’ efforts. The Church Army is now also collecting women’s clothes for their Homeless Hostel so all donations can be found a good new home!
The Soup Kitchen specifically calls for: men’s trousers (sizes 32-36) and men’s sturdy/athletic shoes (sizes 9-12 especially) and say ‘we are also beginning to need men’s outerwear of all varieties and we always need rucksacks and duffle-bags to help our guests carry their belongings!’
The Soup Kitchen team (only part-time) asks: ‘Please drop me a line if you are planning to drop things off here. As always, many thanks for your support.’ Soup Kitchen at the American International Church, 79a Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4TD T: 020 7580 2791 www.amchurch.co.uk/soup-kitchen/
ALL SAINTS REGULAR MISSION PROJECTS:-
Marylebone Project – emergency refuge and rehoming project for homeless women.
Between our Lent and Festival Appeals, we raised £5,120 for them in 2016
USPG –work with those experiencing Aids and HIV in Zimbabwe.
Between our Lent and Festival Appeals, we raised £5,120 for them in 2016
ONGOING SUPPORT for HOMELESS PEOPLE through:
MARYLEBONE PROJECT run by the CHURCH ARMY – A Day Centre, Residential and Transitional accommodation provider, re-settlement project and Educational and Training Unit for women. The Emergency Bed Unit – for which we have for some years helped to provide the funds for one of the 4 beds – offers a safe haven and refuge for women escaping domestic violence, financial crisis, sexual exploitation and mental health issues.
Year Round Support – we also support the Marylebone Resettlement Project with non-perishable food and toiletries or household necessities like cutlery or bed linen/blankets. Thank you to everyone who contributes food and household essentials via the basket in Church or handed in to the Parish Office. Please continue to donate these so we can help more people in need.
Day-to-day Support – we respond to the needs of homeless people who visit the church allowing them to sleep there in the daytime and signposting them to other agencies who can offer help and donating a total of £3,454 in 2016 (a one off £1,000 and part of our Festival Appeal collection) towards the Soup Kitchen at the American International Church in Tottenham Court Road. We also allow individuals, who need a place to shelter or sleep during the day, to rest in the back of the church. We have created an information resource for Church Watchers, giving useful advice to homeless and vulnerable people seeking particular support or services. In the face of a rising tide of homelessness in London and as the cold weather starts to bite, please help us fund and support people in need through our Mission activities.
Want to help someone sleeping rough but don’t know how?
Call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 and they will get a visit from the local Street Team who can put them in contact with the services they may need.
FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS OR ASSISTANCE FROM ALL SAINTS MARGARET STREET:-
* If you would like to encourage others to take an interest in All Saints/keep up with what is happening here, please forward this email on to them, or to people you would like to invite to services or tell them about our websitewww.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk, which has a full colour 360 virtual tour for viewing the wonderfully restored interior of the Church – seewww.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/history/virtual tour – before a visit or if unable to travel.
* If you know of others (near or far) who would like to receive this regular update on what’s happening at All Saints please encourage them to sign up for the email on the All Saints website – see the tab News & Events> Weekly Newsletter.
* If you would like prayers offered at All Saints, please email the Parish Administrator Mrs Dee Prior at: astsmgtst@aol.com. Or make use of the prayer request facility on the website at: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/prayer.
* If you would like any pastoral assistance, please do not hesitate to contact:
The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses: alanmoses111@gmail.com.
Or Assistant Priest Fr Michael Bowie: mnrbowie@gmail.com.
DAILY SERVICES AT ALL SAINTS
On major weekday feasts, High Mass is sung at 6.30pm
SUNDAYS in Church
Low Mass 6.30pm (Saturday), 8am and 5.15pm. Morning Prayer 10.20am
HIGH MASS and SERMON, 11am and
EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION, 6pm.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
Morning Prayer 7.30am
Low Mass – 8am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm
Evening Prayer 6pm
(Except Bank Holidays – 12 noon Mass only)
SATURDAY
Morning Prayer 9.00am
Low Mass – 12 noon and 6.30pm (First Mass of Sunday)
Evening Prayer 6pm
Confessions
A priest is available for confessions/counsel Monday – Friday from 12.30-1pm and at 5.30pm Monday – Saturday, or by appointment. (Special arrangements apply in Lent and for Holy Week.)
www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com