All Saints Parish Newsletter 1st August 2014
Dear Friends,
Theology is commonly written off, even by some Christians, as an intellectual exercise, concerned with abstractions rather than realities, a matter of the head rather than the heart.
We cannot read the section of Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which begins with this Sunday’s epistle (Romans 9: 1-5) and think that. For three chapters, Paul wrestles passionately with the place of his fellow Jews in God’s purposes, even though they have for the most part rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
“I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ, for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.”
This cry of anguish, this willingness even to be accursed and cut off from Christ, for his people’s sake, has something of the same depth and passion that we find in Christ’s cry of dereliction on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
The history of Christian relationships with the Jews, our kindred according to the Spirit, has not been a happy one. Even if the genocidal programme of the Nazis was based on pseudo-scientific racist theories, we cannot deny that the ground was prepared for it by centuries of Christian anti-Judaism; a virus still evident in parts of Eastern Europe and Russia.
The horrific events in Gaza, and the continuing occupation of Palestinian territory, make it difficult to ensure that attitudes to Israeli government actions do not spill over into a renewed anti-semitism.
If things are not complicated enough, the support for Israel from American evangelical Christians with a theology which looks forward to Armageddon in the Middle East as ushering in the earthly reign of God, does not help.
And all the while, as the recent tragedy of Mosul shows, the ancient Christian communities of the Middle East are being decimated by Islamic jihadists.
“To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
We should not forget that much of what belongs to them is our inheritance too. Before we get to Paul’s cri de Coeur on Sunday, we will have heard from the prophet Isaiah and sung from Psalm 145. Christian worship purged of its Jewish elements is thin gruel indeed.
Do we need to ask ourselves whether there is enough room for “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” in our prayer and worship; whether it be of the currently popular upbeat charismatic variety or the less fashionable liturgical type we are used to? “By the waters of Babylon, we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, O Zion.”
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Alan Moses
Vicar of All Saints Margaret Street
Area Dean of Westminster – St Marylebone
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Harry Allan, Alan Bishton, Susan Beauchamp, Lily Caplin, Rachel Clayton, Rosamond Clayton, Kate Down, Jean East, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Elspeth Harley, Lewis Harvey, Katherine Lee, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Jonathan Mani-Weoki, Caroline Masterton-Smith, Hilary Morgan, Norman Newby, Geraldine Newman, Aubrey O’Brien Frances O’Neil, Maureen Pride, Malcolm Richards, Peter Royle, Dilys Thomas, Mary Thomas and Joy Wright.
For the recently departed: John Hughes (Priest), James Wheen, Louise Lancaster (priest), Ray Lancaster and Donald Arden (Bishop).
At the anniversary of their death (during the coming week): Harriet Brownlow Byron (Mother Foundress of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor), Donald Scott, Mona Morgan, Julian Davies, Jessie Graves, David Archer (Server), Harriet Gray and Sam Hood.
EVENTS THIS COMING WEEK
WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY 3 AUGUST – SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY HIGH MASS at 11am
Preacher: Prebendary Alan Moses
Mass for four voices—Byrd
Holy is the true light—Harris
The flowers in church have been donated by Clive and Joy Wright to mark their 56th Wedding Anniversary.
The Centenary of the First World War 1914 will be marked at the end of this Mass.
There is no Church Sunday lunch this week and then for the rest of the summer. Sunday lunches will resume in September.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: Father Michael Bowie
Service in E minor—Daniel Purcell
Christe qui lux es et dies (IV)—White
NB. THE ALL SAINTS CLUB AGM will take place in the bar after Evensong. All members are welcome to attend and vote. The bar will open after the meeting.
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY – 10 AUGUST – EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
HIGH MASS at 11am
Preacher: Prebendary Alan Moses
Communion Service in E – Darke
Glorious in heaven – Whitlock
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: Father Michael Bowie
The Short Service – Weelkes
Prevent us, O Lord – Byrd
SPECIAL EVENTS in AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER at ALL SAINTS & ELSEWHERE
Fr. Matthew Duckett invites us to:
PATRONAL FESTIVAL 2014 – Feast of St Peter’s Chains – St Peter le Poer, Albion Avenue N10 1AQ on Saturday 2 August 2014 – 11am Festival Mass – Preacher: The Reverend Melanie Toogood, Vicar St George & All Saints, Tufnell Park followed by buffet lunch
2pm Outdoor Procession returning to Church for Benediction.
Both Fr. Matthew and Mother Melanie are All Saints Ordinands.
A SOLEMN COMMEMORATION ON THE CENTENARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR, Westminster Abbey – Monday 4 August 2014 at 10pm
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall representing Her Majesty The Queen will attend this service to commemorate the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. The service will draw upon Sir Edward Grey’s famous remark that “the lights are going out all over Europe”, as the Abbey moves from light into darkness until one candle remains at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, which will be extinguished at 11pm, marking the exact moment of the declaration of war. The Vigil will feature music, readings, poetry, and contemporary reflection, such as diary entries and letters from 1914 and be broadcast live on BBC TWO as the event itself is by invitation only.
Wednesday 6 August, 5pm. – Fr Alan Moses is preaching at ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL.
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – Friday 15 August, 6.30pm HIGH MASS at ALL SAINTS. Preacher: Father Michael Bowie. Mass setting: Missa ‘Assumpta est Maria’ – Palestrina. Anthem: Ave maris stella – Monteverdi.
Sunday 17 August – there will be a Mission Committee meeting after High Mass.
ALL SAINTS – REQUIEM MASS on Tuesday 19 August 6.30pm – please print the names of anyone you would like to be remembered in the file to be found on the wooden lectern in the Baptistery at the back of Church.
NAUTICAL POETRY TEA – Saturday 30 August at 4pm
All welcome. Please bring poetry or prose on a Nautical Theme. Please note different venue. This tea will be held at Paul Weston & John McWhinney’s moorings in Wapping. Cream tea (scones, cream & jam) will be served. To accept and to find out the address of the moorings please speak with Paul or John after Mass or email them at paul@hcmoorings.org. A donation of £6 towards the Restoration Appeal would be appreciated.
Friday 12 September, 7.30pm THREE PARISHES ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT, St Cyprian’s, Clarence Gate. In order to manage the catering arrangements, it would be helpful if you could now start forming your teams (up to a maximum of SIX people). The charge is £10 per person, payable on the night, including refreshments. Please let Chris Self know as soon as possible if you are intending to take part. Individuals who want to be slotted into a team on the night should also let him know beforehand. Email: chris_self@btinternet.com. T: 020 7723 2938.
Sunday 14 September, 7.15pm – ALL SAINTS – ORGAN RECITAL (follows Evensong & Benediction) given by Charles Andrews, Associate Director of Music at All Saints. Retiring collection to support the Choir and Music at All Saints (suggested donation £3.50). The All Saints Licensed Club/Bar below the Church will be open afterwards.
Monday 15 September, ST CYPRIAN’S DAY, Clarence Gate – 7pm High Mass. Preacher: Fr George Bush, Rector of St Mary-le-Bow.
THE ANNUNCIATION MARBLE ARCH – Centenary Feast of Celebration – Tuesday 16 September 2014, 7.30pm in The Annunciation
To celebrate the Annunciation’s 100th birthday and in the tradition of Dinners in the Community Ben Wegg-Prosser has put together a glittering event to raise funds for the restoration of the church.
The speakers are Alain de Botton, Matthew Parris and Tessa Jowell with Fr Victor Stock (author and former Dean of Guildford) in the chair. The Churchill Hyatt Hotel has most generously donated the hospitality for the evening so all ticket money goes to church funds. Tickets are £50 or tables of 10 are £450. Please contact Fr Gerald (gerald.beauch@btconnect.com) if you would like to come.
EYES OF FAITH by Professor Jack Mahoney SJ – Christianity as viewed by five great theologians (Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Karl Rahner) A five week course on Mondays from 7 – 8.30pm from 22 September to 20 October 2014. MOUNT STREET JESUIT CENTRE, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH. Please book in advance via website: www.mountstreet.info or phone: 020 7495 1673.Professor Mahoney is a Jesuit priest and Emeritus Professor of Moral and Social Theology in the University of London, where he taught in several colleges for thirty years. These included Heythrop College, where he also served for a period as Principal. He is the author of several books and many articles, and has lectured widely at home and abroad, on theology and various branches of ethics.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WESTMINSTER “MEET THE NEIGHBOURS” – Hosted by The Annunciation, Marble Arch – Tuesday 30 September 7 – 9pm
The evening includes a welcome and talk by Fr Gerald Beauchamp (Priest in Charge) about the church’s history and architecture, including relics and statues, as well as the tradition behind its worship style. There will be an opportunity to look around the Church. Refreshments will be offered afterwards. Pevsner notes that to enter The Annunciation is to have stumbled upon: ‘a fragment of a major medieval church’. All are welcome to join this visit to a dramatic building in a fascinating and fast-changing part of London.
NOTICES
ALL SAINTS RESTORATION APPEAL UPDATE
Cost and Programme
The Butterfield design lighting fittings, which are now well advanced at the blacksmiths workshop, will be the most noticeable change in the church after the hugely enhanced lighting. Tenders for the main work have been returned and a report was made to the PCC Meeting on Sunday 29 June. Discussions are taking place with the lowest tenderer to review the cost and scope of the works before the contract can be let and the stripping out the existing installation commenced.
Now that the market has been tested, the original budget target of £250,000 for an extensive programme of works both within the actual church and in crypt has proved unrealistic and we can now see that some £350,000 is required for the following works:
- Complete rewiring and new lighting scheme as designed and approved
in the church including central battery powered emergency lighting - Renewal of the antiquated electrical mains panel presently below
No 7 stairs and necessary works in the basement to bring the existing system up to a minimum standard to allow for the NICEIC certification. - A new induction loop system for hearing aid users
Other desirable parts of the overall project – including new courtyard lighting, a new sound system, a new CCTV system for the organist and security, automatic smoke detection in the church and complete rewiring of basement – will all need to be deferred.
Once greater certainty is achieved through post tender negotiations more definitive information on costs will be available.
In the meantime if you would like more details or have questions, please speak to John Forde, Churchwarden.
The Fundraising Appeal
Fund-raising continues. We still await the result of applications to a small number of charitable trusts. The All Saints Foundation has now increased its grant offer from £60,000 to £120,000 together with a loan of £30,000.
So far the extended family of All Saints has donated or pledged a total of £316,338 towards the cost of the project. This is 90.38% of the revised target. Our grateful thanks to all who have so generously contributed to date. With some £34,000 to find – further donations are of course welcome!
Cheques should be made payable to:
All Saints Church Restoration Appeal and be sent to:
The Parish Administrator at 7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG. Please indicate where Gift Aid may be applied as it increases the value of your contribution by 25%. Thank you!
We still hope to be able to commence works in mid-August with completion for Advent.
As in previous phases of the restoration programme, weekday worship, except on major feasts, will take place in the Parish Room. This will enable contractors to have more uninterrupted working time, keep costs down and speed the whole process.
ALL SAINTS SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE – MARYLEBONE PROJECT –
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 provided the funds for one of the 4 beds – provides a safe haven and refuge for women escaping domestic violence, financial crisis, sexual exploitation and mental health issues.
Seasonal Appeals – Last year we donated £2,790 to this Mission Project, collected through the All Saints Festival and Lent Appeals. The PCC approved support of £3,000 for 2014 and the Marylebone Project has now received this sum and been most appreciative.
Year Round Support – we also support the Resettlement Project with non-perishable food and toiletries or household necessities like cutlery or bed linen/blankets. Please contribute to this effort, bringing donations to the Parish Office or leaving them in Church in the basket in the Baptistery.
Day-to-day Support – we respond to the needs of homeless people who visit the church, providing luncheon vouchers for the West London Day Centre for rough sleepers who apply to the office and allowing a few 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, please help us fund and support people in need through our Mission project.
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.
* If you know of others who would like to receive this correspondence 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.
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@hotmail.com.
DAILY SERVICES (the Church is open every day of the week from 7am to 7pm except on Bank Holidays, when it opens for the lunchtime Mass only)
SUNDAYS
Low Mass at 6.30pm (Saturday), 8am and 5.15pm
Morning Prayer at 10.20am
HIGH MASS AND SERMON at 11am
CHORAL EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION at 6pm
MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Morning Prayer at 7.30am
Low Mass at 8am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm
(Except bank holiday – 1.10pm Mass only)
Confessions from 12.30pm -1pm and 5.30pm
(No Confessions on bank holidays)
Evening Prayer at 6pm
SATURDAYS
Morning Prayer at 7.30am
Low Mass at 8.00am and 6.30pm (First Mass of Sunday)
Confessions at 5.30pm
Evening Prayer at 6pm
On major weekday feasts, High Mass is sung at 6.30pm with Evening Prayer at 5.45pm.
A priest is available in church for confessions or counsel every weekday from 12.30-1pm (except Saturdays) and at 5.30pm, or by appointment. The clergy are always happy to see anyone for whatever reason. Please enquire at the Parish Office (to the right as you enter the church courtyard).
www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com.