All Saints Parish Newsletter 7th November 2014
Dear Friends,
On Sunday morning in churches and at war memorials up and down the land, congregations of people will fall silent to remember the fallen of the war which began a century ago; and not just of that war. The Great War would become the First World War when it was followed by another. It was not to be the “War to end all wars.” The shock it administered did not bring any fundamental change in human and national behaviour.
On Sunday morning I will be at the service in Westminster Abbey with the Lord Mayor of Westminster. It is a day on which the abbey is the national shrine. Beneath its walls is the field of remembrance, red with poppies. Inside its west door lies the tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
At the Eucharist on Sunday, we will hear from the prophet Amos (5.18-24). He speaks in the temple at Bethel; the royal shrine of the northern kingdom of Israel. He addresses a people who expect God to intervene on their side; to wage holy war against their enemies. This, he says, is folly for because of their failure to keep his law, God will wage war against them and not their foes.
The prophet’s condemnation includes the people’s worship:
“I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them….”
We can see why this unpalatable message soon has the Dean of Bethel on the scene to send this prophet packing and silence his discordant voice.
This and similar passages in the prophets have often been used to condemn ritual and ceremony in worship in favour of pure, spiritual worship. But they speak just as clearly against Calvinist metrical psalms, evangelical hymns or charismatic worship songs: “Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps.”
The real point is not what is wrong with the worship but with the worshippers.
Our passage ends, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” These are the pre-conditions for acceptable worship. The life of society must reflect what is done and said in worship. God rejects the worship of those who deny justice. Amos sees injustice in the oppression of the poor and exploitation of the weak. He and other prophets remind the people of the law whose standards of equality they ignore. Our own laws can be traced back in part to the same roots, so the prophets still speak to us when fail to put them into practice, when we leave the poor and weak without justice.
None of this is to say that issues of war and peace, justice and equality, are easy ones to solve. Nor are they amenable to once-and-for-all solutions. If that were so, we would not be remembering the dead of two world conflicts or being called not to forget the sacrifice of young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the lifetime of most of us, Europe has been for the most part at peace has reigned but we cannot assume that it always will be. Aggressive militarism with its cult of violence reappears calling itself “holy war.” As we saw in the Balkans, communal identities can become poisonous hatreds of others because of their ethnic or religious identity; neighbours become murderous enemies overnight. Economic depression stalks the world stranding countless millions in poverty. Corruption and disease blight the prospects of many and breed resentment which is a fertile soil for extremism.
So the voice of Amos, disturbing though it may be, is one we need to hear in the silence of our remembrance.
As Jesus warns us in the gospel on Sunday (Matthew 25.1-13), complacency will not do: “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
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: 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, Linda Orme, 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: John Groves, Paul Leyland, Violet Vanbrugh, Malcolm Norman McHaffie (Priest), Dorothy Cavan, John Augustus Mayo (Priest), C.F. A. Keeble, Arthur Hutchings (composer of Church Music), Sidney Dines RA, Annie Searles, George Scott (Server), Ethel Rawll, Sam Thorpe, Graham Hawkes (PCC Member and Trustee of the All Saints Choir & Music Fund), George Genge (Priest), Herbert Brackley and Jannette Brierly.
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY and NEXT WEEK
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.
WORSHIP 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
Sunday 9 November – after High Mass there will be a meeting of the Health & Safety Committee in the Parish Office.
Sunday lunch is served this week. Tickets £5 from the Parish Shop in the Parish Room (subject to availability). Robin is cooking a main course, dessert and coffee.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Service in F – Ireland
Greater love hath no man – Ireland
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY – 16 NOVEMBER – SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT – HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Missa ‘Miserere mihi Domine’ – Cardoso
How lovely are thy dwellings fair – Brahms
Ten to One Talk in Church: The Collect. The bell will ring beforehand.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Service in G minor – Purcell
I heard a voice from heaven – Tomkins
ALL SAINTS EVENTS in NOVEMBER/DECEMBER:
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 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 5 (15-21hrs) and Saturday 6 December (10-16hrs)
ALL THE FUN OF THE CHRISTMAS FAIR – St Cyprian’s, Clarence Gate, London NW1. All proceeds to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Candle-lit Gala 5 December from 6pm – entry suggested £3 (with wine) and general entry other times suggested £1. Over 40 professional stalls selling all you need for Christmas, with exhibitors usually found at top Christmas Fairs such as Country Living Fair, Save the Children Fair and Spirit of Christmas. Artisan food, music, vintage, designer makers, books, children’s favourites – they have Christmas wrapped up! See Fair website www.funofthefair.co.uk for full details.
Thursday 4 December – 6.30 – 8pm – ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
December 2014 marks the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. preaching to an audience of 4,000 under the dome of St Paul’s. As a tribute to his legacy, a panel of leaders and thinkers from the black and minority ethnic community will reflect on “Martin Luther King’s Dream: How Can We End Racism Today?” The panel is led by Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, Hugh Muir diary editor at The Guardian, and Dr Heidi Mirza, Professor of Race, Faith & Culture at Goldsmiths College. Further information can be found at: www.stpauls.co.uk/MLK. Free tickets can be booked at: http://MLKstpauls.eventbrite.co.uk.
Saturday 6 December, 3pm – CHRISTMAS POETRY TEA AT PAMELA’S
A seasonal version of the popular regular event, come along with a poem and treat yourself to an early mince-pie! 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 towards the All Saints Restoration Appeal.
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 award of £10,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, we have now received £369,500, reducing our reliance on loans to circa £15,000 (from £35,000). We have two significant 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 Church begins on Monday 10 November, when scaffolding is 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 and at other times when safe to do so.
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.