All Saints Parish Newsletter 27th February 2015
Dear Friend,
Since I inadvertently wrote about this Sunday’s gospel two weeks ago, I will refer you back to the weekly newsletter for 13th February for my remarks about it! Incidentally, no-one alerted me to my error, and a couple of people thanked me for the letter…
The first and second readings on this Sunday are foundational texts for Christianity as developed by St Paul. Paul’s Big Idea was that we gentiles could tap into God’s covenant relationship Abram (who is given his new name, Abraham, in Sunday’s first reading, as part of the covenant) because it pre-dated the requirement of circumcision and therefore the giving of the Jewish Law; it was based purely on Abram’s trust in God and his acting upon it, his faith, as Paul understood it. Faith then becomes the defining mark of relationship with God, rather than observance of circumcision, food laws and sabbath.
This move is crucial to how we get to be the people of God, even though we are not Jewish heirs of this and other covenants (and how the new covenant, expressed in the Eucharist, is ours too).
The crucial verse, as I’m sure you know, is a couple of chapters earlier in Genesis, at 15.6:
He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.
On this verse is based Paul’s whole theology of bringing us gentiles into the people of God, by faith and not by the works of the law: it is the key to Romans and Galatians.
Abram had faith, and God declared him to be justified, or righteous. So God could do the same for us, without circumcision, food laws and the Sabbath (when Paul speaks of ‘works’ this is what he means). Those requirements follow from the second covenant, in which circumcision is given (the bit of chapter 17 we won’t hear on Sunday). That’s the point, for Paul: in chapter 15 Abram has already been reckoned to be justified, right with God, before circumcision or those other things are required of him. So what we need is faith, not these other markers of belonging.
That same good news is here for us today. We gather, and we go out again, as people of faith, faith in the promises of God. That is the basis of our gathering and the basis of our communion in Christ. That is why our Eucharistic worship, that which we gather to do together, is the foundation of everything else: because it is here that our common life is made, expressed and nourished.
Yours in Christ,
Father Michael Bowie,
Assistant Priest, All Saints Margaret Street
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Asia Bibi. Fr. Bruce Barnett- Cowan, Jean Bray, James Cary-Elwes, Cynthia Drury, Fr. Norman Greenfield, Tim Harding, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Elspeth Harley, Lewis Harvey, Myrtle Hughes, Maxwell Hutchinson, Sheila Kenyon, Peggy Leeman, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Hilary Morgan, Norman Newby, Malcolm Richards, Jock Scott, Fr. Nicholas Stacey, Buzz Stokes, Celia Swan, Joy Wright and Marc Young.
For the recently departed: Jane Wildash, Marjorie Bowden, Ian Rainbow, Robert Streit (whose Funeral will take place at All Saints at 2.15pm on Thursday 5 March), and Pamela Paul.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week: Dennis Gill, William Batey, Gertrude Bennett, Charles Bewick (Priest and one time Server at All Saints), Frances Lightfoot, Catherine Packer, Ernest Gittins, Walter Freeth, Bridget Wright, Marion Badger, Kenneth Edwards, Alfred Gorse (Senior Server and Churchwarden), George Frederick Holden (4th Vicar of All Saints), Gwen Ogilvy, Alice Sutton, Phyllis Wickner, Brigid Beattie-Moriarty.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
SUNDAY 1 MARCH – SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Missa ‘Saeculorum Amen’ – Guerrero
A Litany (Drop, drop, slow tears) – Timothy Byram-Wigfield
Ten to One Talk Theme: Sursum Corda & Preface and Sanctus & Benedictus. The bell will ring beforehand.
There is a meeting of the Mission Committee in the Parish Office after Mass.
Sunday lunch service this week – Stuart Voy and his team will be cookingand tickets will be available for £5 from the Shop in the Parish Room (subject to availability).
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Father Michael Bowie
The Short Service – Weelkes
Ach, arme Welt – Brahms
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
SUNDAY 8 MARCH – THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Father Julian Browning
Missa ‘Simile est regnum cÓ•lorum’ – Victoria
O Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not – Gibbons
Ten to One Talk Theme: The Epiclesis. The bell will ring beforehand.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
The Short Service – Ayleward
Versa est in luctum – Lobo
7.15pm after Benediction – ORGAN RECITAL – CHARLES ANDREWS (Associate Director of Music). Programme: Prelude in G minor (1914) – W. S. Vale, An Wasserflüssen Babylon BWV653 – J. S. Bach, Fugue in G minor BWV578 – J. S. Bach, Suite op. 5 – M. Duruflé (Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata). Retiring collection to support the Choir and Music at All Saints (suggested donation £4). The All Saints Licensed Club/Bar below the Church will be open after this recital.
LENT at ALL SAINTS
LENT STUDY GROUP underway – The Study Group meets on Fridays at 11am in the Vicarage. This year, at the Sunday Eucharist, the Church is reading St. Mark’s Gospel. So the publication of Rowan Williams’ book “Meeting God in Mark” is providential. The book is based on Holy Week talks given Archbishop Rowan in Canterbury Cathedral in 2010.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS – Fridays: at 7.05pm (after the Evening Mass), a weekly devotional service in Lent meditating on the events of Jesus’ Passion.
EVENSONG SERMONS during LENT
In the Common Worship Baptism service the “Commission” gives a summary of the Christian life. At Evensong on the Sundays of Lent, we will have a series of sermons based on this to guide us in our corporate and individual self-examination. These will lead up to our corporate renewal of baptismal vows at Easter.
Lent 1 “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers?”
Lent 2 “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
Lent 3 “Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?”
Lent 4 “Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?”
Lent 5 (preached on Palm Sunday) “Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak and seeking peace and justice?”
ALL SAINTS’ LENT APPEAL
Our Lent Appeal 2015 will be shared equally three ways:
- Bishop of London’s Appeal, which is concentrating on supporting Youth, Children and Family projects across the Diocese,
- Us (formerly USPG) and their support of the church in Zimbabwe in working with those affected by HIV and AIDS and providing local clergy and lay leaders with skills and training to undertake the work, and
- The Marylebone Project, where our money goes towards providing one of the emergency beds in the Homeless Women’s Centre.
For more information about the Bishop of London’s Appeal see: www.london.anglican.org/articles/the-lent-appeal-who-inspired-you/?utm_campaign=Ministry_Matters_Jan_2015&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=CM_londondiocesan.
ALL SAINTS’ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY IN MARCH
*** SPECIAL RESTORATION APPEAL FUNDRAISING EVENT ***
Sunday 1 March and Sunday 8 March, 9.30 – 10.50am and post 11am Mass until 1.30pm – All Saints’ Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG, Parish Room,
THE “HOLY HOARDER’S” RESTORATION APPEAL SALE
A substantial sale of largely new (and some nearly new) men’s clothing items in aid of the Restoration Appeal. We have been given a generous gift by Fr John Rick III of high quality men’s clothes – 60 pairs of new tassle-loafer shoes in sizes 8.5, 9 and 9.5 (Gucci, Cole Haan, Weejuns brands) and 30 pairs of new Camper casual/athletic shoes; Bomber-style jackets size 42 (in leather, nylon water-proof and cotton); 30 pairs of Khaki 34 waist trousers; Corduroy trousers; Jeans; 25 Jumpers; Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirts, 55 dress and casual shirts, 12 Sports Jackets, 11 pairs of shorts, scarves, skip caps and socks (knee-high and ankle). Goods range in price from £1.50 – £35 a piece (shoes from £8 – £12). This is a cash only sale in aid of the Restoration Appeal. Please come and get yourself a bargain and support our Church restoration project.
Thursday 5 March, 2.15pm – The Funeral Mass for Robert Streit.
Saturday 7 March at 3pm – St. CYPRIANS CHURCH, CLARENCE GATE, NW1 6AX – CHORAL EVENING PRAYER & BENEDICTION – Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis: Gibbons Second Service, Anthem: Purcell Jehova quam multi sunt hostes mei. With the St. Cyprian’s Singers. Directed by: Julian Collings.
ALL SAINTS’ PARISH RETREAT 2015 – PLEASE NOTE – Just a few places left!! The Retreat will be at Ely again, from 13-15 March. The conductor will be Fr John Cullen. If you would like to attend, or to know more about it, please contact Martin Woolley on 07976 275383 or at m.g.woolley@btinternet.com. A careful note will be kept of the order in which firm reservations are received to assist with fair room allocation.
Sunday 22 March, 6pm – PASSIONTIDE MUSIC, READINGS & BENEDICTION
Monday 23 March, 6.45pm and 7.30pm – Meetings of the All Saints Choir & Music Trust and the Foundation in the Vicarage.
Sunday 29 March – PALM SUNDAY
PLEASE NOTE – CLOCKS CHANGE FORWARD BY ONE HOUR.
EVENTS BEYOND ALL SAINTS
Sunday 1 March 3pm – POETRY TEA AT PAMELA’S. All welcome. Please bring Poetry or Prose on the subject of ‘Love’. To accept or to find out Pamela’s address please speak to Pamela or Sandra in the courtyard or ring Sandra on 020 7637 8456 leaving your name and phone number. Cost £6 – raising funds towards the All Saints Restoration Appeal.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – FRIDAY, 6 March, 2.30pm, at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster (in The Chapel). All are welcome to this Interdenominational Service, prepared this year by the Women of The Bahamas. The Service will be followed by tea in an adjoining room.
Wednesday 25 March, 7pm – FEAST OF TITLE, The Annunciation Marble Arch – HIGH MASS & PROCESSION, Preacher: Fr Paul Thomas, Vicar of St James Sussex Gardens. Drinks reception after mass. All welcome.
Monday 30 March 2015, 6.30pm, St Cyprian’s Clarence Gate – Francis Holland School presents a Charity Choral Concert in aid of St Cyprian’s Church. Music by Handel, Haydn, Parry & Rutter including Handel’s Zadok the Priest. Tickets £10/Under 18s Free. For tickets please contact Mrs Gurini (sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk)
ALL SAINTS RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE
EXCELLENT PROGRESS with work and fundraising but FURTHER DONATIONS NEEDED to reduce the reliance on loans
New wiring and lighting, essential CCTV security and fire detection systems cost £372,000. Church reopened for all daily weekday worship on Monday 2 February. Finishing works on the fire alarm and back of house areas continue into early March. As the project reaches its conclusion, we want to reduce our reliance on loans so any further gifts you can make will help us to do that.
HOW YOU CAN HELP………. please be as generous as you can, making cheques payable to: All Saints Church Restoration Appeal and sending them to: The Parish Administrator, 7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG.
Please indicate where Gift Aid may be applied as it increases the value of your contribution by 25% at no cost to yourself. Thank you!
Please note: Sundays 1 and 8 March pre and post Mass (full details elsewhere in this Newsletter) – Special Fundraising Event – THE HOLY HOARDER’S SALE OF MEN’S CLOTHING in the Parish Room at All Saints – all in aid of the Restoration Project. Please get yourself a bargain and support this worthy cause. .
ALL SAINTS MISSION ACTIVITIES
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.
Seasonal Appeals – The grand total collected in 2014 was £3,463 (up significantly on 2013’s support of £2,790) to this Mission Project through the All Saints Festival and Lent Appeals. The Project (in acknowledging our support) said: ‘Such a wonderful amount to have raised, thank you so very much for your valued support’.
A further £3,000 raised in 2014 for Us (formerly USPG) was acknowledged to be a ‘very generous gift’ which will be used to feed communities and generate income to support AIDS orphans in child-headed families in Zimbabwe.
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. 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.
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.
* 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 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 CHORAL EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION, 6pm.
MONDAY – SATURDAY
Morning Prayer 7.30am
Low Mass – 8am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm
Evening Prayer 6pm
(Except Bank Holiday – 1.10pm Mass only)
Confessions
A priest is available for confessions/counsel Monday – Friday from 12.30-1pm and at 5.30pm Monday – Saturday, or by appointment.
www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com.