All Saints Parish Newsletter 5th May 2017
Dear Friends,
This Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday because each year in the Lectionary the Gospel reading is taken from John Chapter 10 in which Jesus speaks of himself and his relationship with people as the Good Shepherd who knows the sheep and is known by them.
The celebration of the risen Christ as the Good Shepherd has also lead to its designation in both the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church as Vocations Sunday.
A combination of events is focusing my mind on vocation.
On Tuesday evening I was in Oxford for Fr. Will Lamb’s institution as Vicar of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin.
On Sunday morning I will be representing the Diocese of London at the at the installation of the Revd. Eric Muhl as Rector of the Ulrika Eleanora Swedish Church in Harcourt Street. The Church of Sweden has been in full communion with the Church of England for a long time – even before the Porvoo Agreement which links us with the Nordic and Baltic Lutheran Churches. In our local context, the clergy of the Swedish Church have long been active and valued participants in the Deanery Chapter.
At the same time, we are preparing for the ordination of Deacon Philip Sanneh to the priesthood by his Bishop from the Gambia on Sunday 21st May at 3pm. Please keep Philip in your prayers as he prepares for this great step and his return home to minister in the Gambia when he has completed his studies. Philip is the latest in a long line of men, and more recently women too, who have found their vocation or been helped on their way to the sacred ministry here at All Saints. It was good to be reminded of that “apostolic succession” in Holy Week by the presence of Fr. Gerald Reddington and Fr. David Paton.
Here, in the Diocese of London, we are praying for those responsible for the choice of a new chief pastor for this diocese. In this past week, we had a meeting of our Deanery Synod to think about the qualities needed for this huge task. As you can imagine, the list produced was so long as to be impossible for any one person to fulfill!
Then, on a personal note, I will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of my own ordination to the priesthood on Friday 9th June, St. Columba’s Day. 22 years of that ministry have been spent here at All Saints. I will be spending the intervening time at the Anglican Centre in Rome to complete the period of study leave which Bishop Richard gave me to undertake my sponsored pilgrimage to raise funds for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. This will be an opportunity for study, prayer and pilgrimage.
On Sunday 2nd July, we will join with Fr. Michael Bowie in celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
On Tuesday evening, when that time in every Anglican institution service came for the new parish priest to give the notices, Fr. Lamb took the opportunity to say that one of his two immediate priorities would be to re-establish a routine of daily public prayer at St. Mary’s. The other would be to meet and get to know the people entrusted to his care.
So, on a communal note, let me end with some words from the Acts of the Apostles (2.42) which begin the first reading at Mass on Sunday: “The people devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Luke then goes on to speak of the quality of the common life of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Some suggest that this is an idealized picture. It is certainly one which any Christian community would feel its falls short. But that should not mean that we should not see it as a model and inspiration as we seek to discern our common calling as a Christian community.
The passage ends with, “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” These days, we, pastors and people, are being challenged to be more consciously and intentionally evangelistic; to share our faith with others rather than just see it as something for ourselves.
One of the by-products of the parish consultation we held last year, was that many people expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to talk to people they did not know, and perhaps did not agree with on the issue being discussed. “Can we do something like this again?” a number of them said. The PCC has agreed to my suggestion that we should mount a similar exercise in which we can explore the nature of our mission here in central London in the 21st century.
But, in the meantime, one commentator on that passage from Acts, points out that it sees church growth as something which grows out of the quality of life in that early Christian community: All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of the people” rather than because they devoted themselves to evangelism.
So, while it will be good for us to think and pray about how we can more actively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we should not neglect that common life which is expressed and formed by our common prayer and worship, by the apostles’ teaching in the scriptures, by our dedication to the communion and fellowship of the Church, by our care for each other and for those whom God sends to our doors. We don’t have to wait until we have had a conference; we can get on and do all these things now.
Yours in Christ the Good Shepherd,
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: Asia Bibi, Tyrell, Andy O’Connor, Bishop Geoffrey Rowell, Colin White, Nancy Gardner, Pearl Baker, Rachel Boulding, Katie Marko, Andrew Evans, Joan Cook, Rose Stevens, Rebekka Norvik-Smith, Neli Dias, Sarah Payne, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Sally Bower and Tony Hawkins.
For the recently departed: Bishop Michael Perham and Rachel Boulding.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week including: Odo Hunt, Norman Sandwith, William Faithful, Phyllis Mackenow, Dorothy Faithful, Florence Hope, Richard Masheder (Priest), Fred Bramma, Charles Cunnington, Marygold Snowden, Martin Cooper, Gertrude Thorpe, Barbara Watson, George Corbett, N. P. Williams (Priest), Ellen Markey, John Finnie, Edith Cooke and Douglas Laing.
For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK:
SUNDAY 7 MAY – FOURTH OF EASTER
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Darke in E
Easter – Vaughan Williams
Sunday Lunch is being cooked by Geoffrey Woodcock and Philip Payne. The menu is: Roast Lamb with fresh vegetables, followed by Tiramisu and coffee – £5/ticket, on sale at the Church shop before and after Mass (subject to availability). Please join us.
EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Collegium Regale – Howells
Christus Resurgens – Lassus
Organ Recital follows Benediction at 7.15pm
TIMOTHY BYRAM-WIGFIELD, Director of Music
Programme:
Coronation March from ‘Le Prophète’ – Meyerbeer
Overture: The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) – Mozart
Spozalizio (Betrothal) – Liszt
Etude Symphonique – Bossi
Entry is free, with a retiring collection (recommended donation £5) to support the Choir and Music at All Saints. The All Saints Licensed Club/Bar below the Church will be open after this recital.
Please find more organ recitals at www.organrecitals.com.
WORSHIP NEXT WEEK:
Saturday 13 May – All Saints’ Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham Rosary 11.30am, followed by Mass at 12 noon. All welcome.
SUNDAY 14 MAY – FIFTH OF EASTER
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Vigil Mass – Petter
Easter – Armstrong Gibbs
EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Collegium Regale – Wood
My beloved spake – Hadley
PARISH NOTICES & NEWS
The Vicar has announced that Deacon Philip Sanneh is to be ordained to the Priesthood by the Bishop of Gambia at an Ordination Service at All Saints Margaret Street on Sunday 21 May, 3pm. All welcome – please come and support Philip and his family on this very special occasion.
HOLY WEEK 2017 SERMONS BOOKLET
The sermons preached by our Holy Week guest preacher Fr Jim Walters, Chaplain LSE have been gathered together into a booklet, now available for sale in Church, priced £2.
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. There are still places if you want to come, and if you 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.
POETRY TEA, SUNDAY 28 MAY 3pm at Pamela’s home.
You can bring poetry or prose. The theme will be Summertime but there is no need to stick to it. Feel free to bring whatever you like. To accept the invitation please speak to Pamela or Sandra in the courtyard, or ring Sandra on 020 7637 8456 leaving your name and phone number. Charge £6. Proceeds go to the All Saints Restoration Fund.
PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY, 10- 18 MAY 2018
Following the success of the Parish Pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona a couple of years ago, Fr Gerald Beauchamp and Fr Michael Bowie are planning a pilgrimage to Italy next year. The itinerary includes San Giovanni Rotondo, Loreto, Ravenna & Assisi. Cost £1,400 (approx). If you are interested in joining the party please contact Fr Gerald (gerald.beauch@btconnect.com) or Fr Michael (mnrbowie@gmail.com). Thank you.
Thursday 25 May ASCENSION DAY, HIGH MASS at 6.30pm
Preacher: Canon Dr John Gibaut, Director of Unity, Faith and Order, the Anglican Communion Office
Missa Brevis in B flat – Mozart Coelos ascendit hodie – Stanford
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.
Thursday 15 June, 6.30pm CORPUS CHRISTI HIGH MASS with Street Procession
Preacher: Fr Aidan Platten, Vicar of St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace, whose appointment as Canon Precentor, Norwich Cathedral was announced on 10 April.
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…
ST CYPRIAN’S Choral Evensong & Benediction – Saturday 6 May at 3pm
Officiant: Fr Gerald Beauchamp, Director of Music: Julian Collings
Responses: Smith Canticles: Noble in b minor Motet: Haec Dies –Byrd
Refreshments follow – all welcome.
HUGH PRICE HUGHES 2017 LECTURES – “Speaking of God in Public”
All lectures at Hinde St Methodist Church, London W1. Admission free. All welcome.
Tuesday 9 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?
ST MATTHEW’S WESTMINSTER – Solemn Mass on Wednesday 10 May, 6.30pm
Forty years ago on 10 May 1977, the church was almost totally destroyed by fire, caused by arson. It was subsequently rebuilt on a smaller scale to a design by the aptly named Donald Buttress, and dedicated in 1984. To mark the anniversary St Matthew’s are having a Solemn Mass with special music and hope may will join them for this historic occasion.
Preacher: Fr Jim Rosenthal, former churchwarden at St Matthew’s and good friend of All Saints.
Exhibition of photographs and other material from the time of the fire. You are invited to wear something red! After the service there will be a reception to which all are invited.
ST ETHELBURGA’S CENTRE FOR RECONCILIATION & PEACE, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2 4AG – 10th May 2017, Arrivals from 18.00 to start at 18.30 – An Evening with Cardinal Vincent Nichols
You are cordially invited to attend a lecture by the Centre’s patron Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. A reception will follow. Please email adam@stethelburgas.org to RSVP.
ST CYPRIAN’S CLARENCE GATE, Glentworth Street, NW1 6AX – Saturday 1 July 2017
CELEBRATION OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF T S ELIOT’S BAPTISM (29 June 1927)
with Bishop Rowan Williams & Bishop Richard Harries. Tickets going fast so get in touch ASAP!
T S Eliot was baptized at Finstock, Oxfordshire. At the time and from 1920 – 1932 he lived successively at flats 9, 98, 177 and 68 Clarence Gate Gardens. St Cyprian’s was his parish church where he became a daily worshipper and where Viv, his first wife continued to worship after the marriage ended.
Programme for the Day:
10.30am Arrivals and Coffee. 11am Welcome and Introductions.
11.10am Poems read by Pupils of the Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park
11.40am +Rowan William: The Fire and the Rose: Eliot and the Incarnation
12.20pm +Richard Harries: T. S. Eliot’s Conversion and in Conversation with +Rowan
1pm Cold Buffet Lebanese Lunch with Wine
Church open to the public from 2.40pm. Donations are invited for tea & cake after:
3pm Evensong & Benediction with the Francis Holland School Choir
4pm Tea
The morning and lunch is by ticket only (limited to 150). Price £40 – available from Fr Gerald Beauchamp gerald.beauch@btconnect.com. Tickets will be sent by post so please include your mailing address. Cheques to be made payable to ‘St Cyprian’s PCC’ or payment by BACS to 56-00-14/12138126 Ref ’T S Eliot’. Profits from the day will be shared equally between St Cyprian’s Church and Christian Aid. With regret, the church has no sound system or loop and neither are there toilets available for disabled people.
** 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/
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
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