All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friends,

This evening we begin of our Festival celebrations with the First Evensong of All Saints Day.

Our Festival this year takes place while we are in the midst of the latest phase of our Restoration Programme. In previous stages we have timed the work to finish in time for All Saintstide, but this has not been possible this year. So our celebrations will take place in the “dim religious light” of the temporary lighting which is illuminating our worship in the interval between the removal of the old wiring and lighting and the installation of the new.

One of the people working on the restoration again this time is a former chorister, Christopher Cook.  He was telling us the other day of the Festival in his days in the choir: an eight day marathon of celebrations and guest preachers.  The boys were then given a week’s holiday to recover from this ordeal by liturgy.  So while we still celebrate our Festival more extravagantly than most parishes, we get off rather lightly. 

At All Saintstide we think not just those saints who have been outstanding examples of the holy but the whole Church’s vocation to holiness.

There is a symbolic aptness in doing all this in the midst of incompletion, because our own growth in holiness, both as a community and as individuals, is always a work in progress.

People sometimes say to me: “You’re not still restoring All Saints are you? What more is there to do?”  Well, we are and there is still more to do, but we can envisage a time when all the major works will have been completed.  We hope that the work we have been able to achieve will be a blessing to those who come after us: that they will think of us with gratitude as they sing “In our day of thanksgiving” in commemoration of past worshippers, as we do of those who worked and prayed here in previous generations.   

But when we think of the life and mission of our community, there will never be a time, while this world endures, when the project of growing in holiness will be complete.   Our Festival recalls us to our consecration to the service of Jesus Christ, our call to be saints, and that is something which should give, for all our failings and shortcomings, cause for rejoicing.

We see the light of Christ shining in the lives of the saints.  That light reveals, yes, the dimness of our own religious light, how far we fall short of holiness, but more important still, it also encourages us to grasp the possibility of growth in holiness through our communion in those holy things which the risen Christ shares with us.

If you are able to share in our Festival celebrations, I hope they will be a blessing to you. If you cannot be with us in the flesh, please pray for us in the Spirit.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses
Vicar, All Saints Margaret Street
Area Dean of Westminster – St Marylebone

Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Stephanie Aziz, Douglas Beeken, Alan Bishton, Susan Beauchamp, Rachel Clayton, Rosamond Clayton, Kate Down, Jean East, Tim Harding, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Elspeth Harley, Lewis Harvey, Myrtle Hughes, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Hilary Morgan, Norman Newby, Maureen Pride, David Reeves, Malcolm Richards, Peter Royle, Jock Scott, Dilys Thomas, Mary Thomas, Joy Wright and Asia Bibi.  

For the recently departed: Mark Wood (Priest) and Jonathan Mani-Weoki, Thomas Shaw SSJE (Bishop), Sylvia Eldridge, John Andrew, Kenneth Lanceley and David Trendell.

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week: Harold Wilson (Priest), Gilbert Pickering, Jack Fallon, Rosemary Crawley, Helen Gordon St Aubyn, Curtis Berk (Friend, Benefactor and former member of the All Saints’ PCC), Daphne Gordon, Terence Duggan, Glyn Thomas, Philip Gould (Baron Gould of Brookwood), Constance Peters, Dudley Sholté and Arnold Fryer.

WORSHIP THIS WEEK – ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL 2014 SERVICES

We are pleased to be able to say that there is a ‘lull’ in our Electrical Renewal Project and Church will be open all week from Monday 3 – Sunday 9 November inclusive. Weekday Masses remain in the Parish Room. Due to the arrival and construction of scaffolding in the north and south aisles, Church will close during the week again from week commencing Monday 10 November. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this challenging period.

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 6.30pm – EVE OF ALL SAINTS, LITANY OF THE SAINTS, SOLEMN EVENSONG & SOLEMN BENEDICTION
Preacher: The Reverend Reuben Preston,
Vicar of St Mary of Eton Church, Hackney Wick
Canticles: The Chichester Service – Walton
Anthem: Love, unto thine own who camest – Stewart

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 11am – ALL SAINTS’ DAY HIGH MASS
Preacher: The Reverend Dr Greg Seach, Dean of Clare College, Cambridge
Mass Setting: Missa Sanctae Margaretae – Gabriel Jackson
Anthem: Gaudent in coelis—Hassler
The Bar will open after the Service.  

WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER – ALL SAINTS’ FESTIVAL SUNDAY
PROCESSION & HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Very Reverend Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield
Krönungsmesse – Mozart
Cantate Domino – Gabriel Jackson
The Bar will open as usual after the Service.

Sunday lunch is served this week. Tickets £5 from the Parish Shop in the Parish Room (subject to availability). Martin Woolley is cooking venison as the main course, dessert and coffee.

SOLEMN EVENSONG, TE DEUM & SOLEMN BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres, Bishop of London 
The Truro Service – Gabriel Jackson
Justorum animÓ• – Stanford  
Drinks will be served after the service in Church or the Courtyard (depending on weather). The Bar will not open this evening.

MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER – ALL SOULS’ DAY 6.30pm – HIGH MASS OF REQUIEM
Preacher: The Very Reverend Victor Stock
Mass Setting:  Officium defunctorum à 6 – Victoria
Anthem: Justorum animae—Byrd
The Bar will not be open after the Service.

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY – 9 NOVEMBER – THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT & REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
HIGH MASS starts at 10.58 for the Act of Remembrance
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Communion Service ‘Collegium Regale’ – Howells
I heard a voice from heaven – Howells

CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Service in F – Ireland
Greater love hath no man – Ireland

ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL APPEAL 2014

Our Festival Appeal is for the Mission Projects of the Church and a collection will be taken during the Offertory Anthem or after the Sermon at each Service.
All Saints Two Mission Projects provide:

1. Essential support to the increasing numbers of HOMELESS PEOPLE in LONDON through the MARYLEBONE PROJECT run by the Church Army – A Day Centre, Residential and Transitional accommodation provider, re-settlement project, 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 4 beds – offers a safe haven and refuge for women escaping domestic violence, financial crisis, sexual exploitation and mental health issues.
2. Key training and support for local clergy, lay leaders and facilitators TO WORK WITH ZIMBABWEAN PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HIV AND AIDS. The programme is delivered by Us (formerly USPG). About 16% of the population in Zimbabwe are impacted by the virus.  Trained individuals work within their communities to address both the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and related issues, including health, education, poverty, and sanitation.

Please give generously to these worthwhile projects and note: Gift aiding your donation increases the value by 25%. If you can’t get to Church at this time, and still want to contribute, please send your offering (cheques made out to Parochial Church All Saints) to the Parish Administrator, All Saints Margaret Street, 7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG with a covering note to say it is for the Mission Projects and indicating if you wish Gift Aid to be added. Thank you!

ALL SAINTS EVENTS in OCTOBER/NOVEMBER:

Monday 3 November – ALL SOULS’ DAY 6.30pm – HIGH MASS OF REQUIEM. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Wednesday 5 November, 8am – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Sunday 9 November – after High Mass there will be a meeting of the Health & Safety Committee in the Parish Office.

Monday 10 November, 7pm – there is a meeting of the All Saints PCC – which will be attended by the Archdeacon.

Wednesday 12 November, 1.10pm – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Sunday 16 November, Ten to One Talk: The Collect. The bell will ring beforehand.

Sunday 23 November, Ten to One Talk: First Reading. The bell will ring beforehand.

Sunday 23 November, 7.15pm (after Evensong & Benediction) – ORGAN RECITAL by Timothy Byram-Wigfield, Director of Music at All Saints. The programme includes works by: Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Bach, Reger and Boëllmann.  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.

Wednesday 26 November, 7pm – EVENING ADVENT GROUP meets for four consecutive weeks in the Vicarage – reading Rowan William’s Being Christian – Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. Other dates are: Wednesdays 3, 10 and 17 December. 

Wednesday 26 November, 6.30pm – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Friday 28 November, 11am – DAYTIME ADVENT GROUP meets for four consecutive weeks in the Vicarage – reading Rowan William’s Being Christian – Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer.
Other dates are: Fridays 5, 12 and 19 December.

Sunday 30 November, Ten to One Talk: The Psalm. The bell will ring beforehand.

Sunday 30 November, 6pm – ADVENT SERVICE OF READINGS & MUSIC

EVENTS BEYOND ALL SAINTS
 
Thursday 13 November, 6.45pm THE 2014 MARYLEBONE SERVICE at The Annunciation, Marble Arch W1H 7AH. An interfaith celebration of Marylebone, the international village. The Chairman of the Marylebone Association, the Lord Mayor of Westminster cordially invites you to this service, followed by a reception. Limited spaces – RSVP essential, by email k.coyne@ish.org.uk or call 0207 631 8366. The event is supported by the Portman and Howard de Walden Estates.

Saturday 29 November, 3pm – St Cyprian’s, Clarence Gate – ADVENT VESPERS

Friday 12 December, 6.45pm – ALL SAINTS’ CELL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM EVENT – In the octave of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – an Ecumenical Visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, Mayfair. All are invited and welcome to join the liturgy – Anglican Evensong led by Fr Michael Bowie with address by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, a tour of the church, followed by light refreshments. You do not have to be a member of the Cell to attend but please advise Mrs Rosa Postance by email (rosa_postance @hotmail.com) if you are going to come to this event.

NOTICES

WALSINGHAM PARISH PILGRIMAGE 2015
All Saints’ twelfth annual pilgrimage to Walsingham will take place from Friday 17 to Monday 20 July 2015. (In the past the pilgrimage has been from Friday to Sunday, but following feedback after the 2014 event, we are offering an option to stay until Monday lunchtime.) Please indicate which departure date you would like when booking. If you are interested (or would like to find out more) please speak to Jean Castledine or contact Ross Buchanan on 020 7221 1312 or ross.r.buchanan@btinternet.com.

Due to the Shrine’s limited capacity and booking arrangements, those who would like to attend will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £10 to the Parish Administrator, Dee Prior, by the end of November 2014 to reserve a place on the Pilgrimage. A further £10 deposit will be required by Monday 13 April 2015 and the full payment for accommodation by Monday 15 June 2015. 

ALL SAINTS RESTORATION APPEAL UPDATE – WORK IS GOING WELL!

FUNDRAISING – Thanks to the huge generosity of parishioners and friends and the good news of £10,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, we have now received £365,835, reducing our reliance on loans to circa £19,000 (from £35,000) but we still have a couple of significant project elements on hold to get within the overall project figure – a CCTV security system and an automatic fire detection system. Both are highly desirable in our Grade 1 Listed Church.  

WORKS – The electrical cabling strip out in Church and delicate work of repairing/painting and stencilling the fabric afterwards is almost complete and running to schedule. The new chandeliers are painted and having light fittings attached in Southampton. Installing the new electrics in the Church is planned after the All Saints Festival, when scaffolding will need to be erected in the north and south aisles for some weeks. The overall project is scheduled for completion by the end of January 2015, allowing for a Christmas break and subject to the delivery of all specialist materials.

WEEKDAY SERVICES – taking place in the Parish Room and Confessions heard in the Oratory (access via the Parish Office). Church will be open on Sunday throughout the project.

HOW YOU CAN HELP………. further donations are needed to reduce our reliance on loans and complete key fire and security improvements! Cheques should be made payable to: All Saints Church Restoration Appeal and be sent 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%. Thank you!

ALL SAINTS YEAR ROUND SUPPORT for HOMELESS PEOPLE

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 – 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.  

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.

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 during Refurbishment until January 2015
(Church guaranteed open Sunday only from 7am to 7pm and at other times when safe to do so)
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 in the Parish Room
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. During the refurbishment works, confessions will be heard Monday – Friday in the Oratory at 7 Margaret Street. Please ring the bell
at the Vicarage or Parish Office doors for admittance.  

www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com.