All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear brothers and sisters,

One of the particular joys of summer at All Saints’ is that our congregation changes shape from week to week. We’re ever reminded of our essential call to be a place of welcome. Old friends return, visitors join us from around the world, and others discover this place for the first time. It is always a privilege to gather at the altar, and to come together in fellowship afterwards.

Our life of worship does not slow down during July and August. The rhythm of Mass and the Daily Office continues, and the Church’s calendar continues to place before us the saints whose lives point us to Jesus Christ. This week we keep the feasts of St Mary Magdalen, the first witness to the Resurrection; St Bridget of Sweden, a Patron of Europe, whose life united deep spirituality with practical care for the Church; and St James the Great, among the first disciples called by our Lord, and the first of the apostles to give his life in witness to the Gospel. Their feasts remind us that the Church is never on holiday from the work of prayer, praise and witness.

The readings for this coming Sunday, the seventh after Trinity, also encourage us to be patient. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the wheat and the tares growing together until the harvest. The temptation is to want everything sorted out immediately – every problem solved; every uncertainty removed. Yet the wisdom of God is different from our own. Sunday’s first reading from the Wisdom of Solomon speaks of God’s strength being shown in gentleness and mercy, whilst St Paul reminds us that when we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with ‘sighs too deep for words’. We are invited to trust that God is at work, often quietly and patiently, even when we cannot yet see the full picture.

That seems an appropriate thought as work continues on our new sound system. Thank you – both to our online and in-person worshippers – for your patience whilst the electrical works have meant that the church has had to remain closed outside of Mass times, and as we’ve struggled a little with our broadcasting. We know how important a touchstone in the day the Mass is for many who join us remotely. Please be assured that our daily round of Mass and Office continues uninterrupted, and we look forward to the work’s completion and the resumption of normal service. Butterfield’s chancel gates have also now been sent away, to return in the autumn repristinated, to the glory of God.

Our common life extends beyond the liturgy, of course. I hope many of you will be able to join us for our visit to the Zurbarán exhibition at the National Gallery on Friday 31st, or for our next parish walk at Box Hill next Saturday, 25th. These occasions give us another way of growing together in friendship and fellowship, and newcomers are always warmly welcome.

As we continue through these summer weeks, let us pray for one another; for those travelling; for those who join us from their homes, and for all who will cross the threshold of All Saints’ for the first time. May they find here a place with Christ at its heart, where his Gospel is proclaimed with joy and quiet confidence, and where his people are eager to welcome all who seek him with a sincere heart.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Fr Alan

Mass cancelations

Please note that the evening Mass tonight, Friday 17th July, is cancelled.

Feast of the Assumption 2026

Please note that the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be kept this year on Sunday 16th August 2026. There will be a High Mass at 11.00 am in the morning, which will be of the Assumption, at which the preacher will be the Vicar. In the evening at 6.00 pm we will have our usual celebration of Evensong with Procession of Our Lady and Benediction at which the preacher will be Fr Alan Rimmer.

Zurbaran trip to National Gallery

There will be a parish trip to the National Gallery on Friday 31st July at 6.00 pm to see the current exhibition on the Spanish painter Francisco Zurbaran. The exhibition costs £20 per head.

There is then an option, for those who wish, to have dinner together after the exhibition at Pizza Express on the Strand. Dinner is £40 per head and covers two courses, with drinks.

Sign up for the exhibition and/or dinner here.

Flowers

The flowers in front of Our Lady are given by Rebecca Hirst in memory of her mother, Val, whose 40th Anniversary falls at this time.

If you would like to make a donation for flowers or the courtyard garden, please contact Shawn directly or via the office.

Parish walks

Fr Alan will be leading a number of walks over the coming months, each around 10 miles and involving some climbs. Bring lunch. There will be a short pub stop on each, and the option of an early supper together at the end of the walk. Be in touch with Fr Alan to sign up or ask for details.

Saturday 25th July 2026
Surrey Hills. 10.23 Waterloo Station. Dorking train to Box Hill & Westhumble.

Saturday 22nd August 2026
Kent Downs. 10.34 Charing Cross Station. Ramsgate train to Wye.

Building work

Please note that whilst some extensive electrical work takes place as part of the installation of a new sound system for the church, our building will only be open during service times over the coming couple of months.

All Saints’ will open at 11.45 am for the 12 noon Mass and at 5.45 pm for Evening Prayer and the 6.30 pm Mass. During this period, church welcomers won’t be needed during weekday afternoons.

For your prayers

The Friends of All Saints Margaret Street

20th – Naomi Slippe, Vaughan Snook, Jonathan Spelman, Louise and Richard Stallwood, Ian Stewart, Robert Stoltz

21st – Madeleine Storer, Veronica and Ian Summers, Colin Symes, Ann Tacchi, Sebastian Taite-Ellis, Michael Taylor, Kitty Thompson

22nd – Dr James Thomson, Charles Thomson, Jeremy Thorp, Michael Traynor, Fr Roger Turner, Dr Christine Vaughn Lillie, Christopher Walsh

23rd – Philip Wayne, Fr Benjamin Weitzmann, Mats Wendt, Michael Westcott, Sandra Wheen, All Departed Friends and Benefactors

24th – Matthew Whittaker, Tim Widdowfield, David Wilcox, T. Bradford Willis, Ian Wilson

25th – Fr Michael Witcombe, Martin Woods, Martin Woolley, William Yale, Michael Young, All Friends and Music Patrons in Need

The sick

Jean Castledine, David Craig, Paul Faithful, Winifred Haws, Fr Harry Hodgetts, Danny Mather, Ingrid Slaughter, Juliet Windham, Martin Woods

The recently departed

Edith Ann Fletcher, William Taylor Pr

Anniversaries of death

Services this week

Monday 20th July – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass

Tuesday 21st July – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass

Wednesday 22nd July – St Mary Magdalen
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass

Thursday 23rd July – St Bridget of Sweden, Patron of Europe
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass

Friday 24th July – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass

Saturday 25th July – St James, Apostle
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Vigil Mass of Sunday

Sunday 26th July – Trinity VIII
8.30 am Low Mass
11 am High Mass 
5.15 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Solemn Evensong and Benediction