All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friends,

Not long after I came to All Saints a young Ethiopian woman, who was staying with family close by, would be a regular at the lunchtime mass.  During the prayers of the liturgy, she would stand with arms uplifted and extended in what in “church-speak” is known as the “Orans” or praying position. Priests stand like this when they are offering prayer on behalf of the whole congregation. Rahele did it with a natural grace which I have rarely seen among the clergy.  

I was reminded of her when I was thinking about the passage from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (14.1-12) which we will hear on Sunday.  He is urging the Christians in Rome, divided by ethnic and social background, not to be judgemental over matters of religious practice such as diet and the keeping of feasts and fasts.  Someone had pointed me to an article on the internet, in which a Roman Catholic layman in the United States, who described himself as “orthodox” (a label those complaining about other Christians are wont to adopt), attacked the widespread practice among his fellow-catholics of praying the Lord’s Prayer at Mass in the orans position.  This is a priestly gesture, he fumed, and lay people ought not to use it.  

Someone in the Vatican had recently issued a document forbidding this. Having worshipped in a number of Roman Catholic churches, in Rome itself and in France, in recent months, I can only conclude either that bishops and priests have not told their people about this instruction, or that people are ignoring it.  Both possibilities demonstrate a degree of common sense clearly lacking in some quarters.  In a time of declining church attendance across the western world, there would seem to be more important matters to worry about.  We should be rejoicing that there are still people coming to church and encouraging more to do so.

Yesterday evening I was at a seminar for clergy organised by Sion College for clergy in the London area. The speaker addressed the issue of the widespread anxiety in the Church because of declining numbers.  One of the ways in which this anxiety manifests itself is in the current emphasis on “leadership” as the primary definition of the priest’s role; an almost desperate longing for the heroic leader who will turn things round.  

Almost all the clergy present, male and female, were dressed in black and wearing clerical collars, and it was clear that most of us shared the unease about an entrepreneurial leadership culture, replete with “missional strategies” and measurable outcomes, which seems to have little time for an incarnational ministry of simply being with people and communities over a long time, or for that persevering holiness which sustains such a ministry.  There is a sense that such voices are simply not heard in the Church of England: they are associated with past failure and present decline. The same kind of things are said in some quarters about the liturgical and sacramental worship of a church like ours; seen as “culturally incompatible” with evangelism.

Well, we can all have a good moan about these things, and sometimes it can help to know that we are not the only ones who feel this way. However, a culture of complaining, as the note Pope Francis has put on his door “No Complaining “suggests, can quickly lead us to spiritual depression and inertia. Anxiety about the future can lead to a prickly defensiveness and unwillingness to learn from others.  

Taking a cue from St. Paul, we would be better employed examining our own failings rather than those of others.  That young Ethiopian woman said to me more than once that it was sad that so few people took the opportunities to pray which All Saints provides every day. Do we really make full use of the treasures of spiritual practice in our tradition; or do we see them as markers of difference, which then become opinions to quarrel about rather than gifts to be shared? How much time do we spend in prayer? How often do we come to Mass or the Daily Office?  How often do we examine our lives and our use of time and gifts?  

Our traditions and practices are better commended by doing and living them than by condemning those who don’t share them. 

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses

Vicar, All Saints Margaret Street 

THIS WEEK’S PRAYER DIARY

Those who are sick or distressed and who have asked for prayers: The victims of the terrorist explosion on the tube at Parson’s Green today, Asia Bibi, Vivien Caplow, Joao Holanda Cavalcante, Ivone Dias Cavalcante, Letizia Sormani, Roger Williams, Peter Chant, Ruth Butler, Rose Smith, Fr Graham Francis, Maria Magdalena Gedmanaite, Ken Hales, Nancy Gardner, Katie Marko, Andrew Evans, Sarah Payne, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Ros Tagoe, Beverley Ward, Vivienne Dunne & Catherine Paciullo. 

Those known to us recently departed:Barbara Anne Thrift, Mike Barrie, Neil McKay, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor Bp, John Tees, Bill Rodger and Chris Wainwright.  

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week:  Arthur Bourchier, Allan Duggan, Guy Fleming Pr, Greville Howard, Anthony Andrews Pr, James Wright, Mary Baddeley, Anthony Alsopp, Andrew Braybrooke, Jean Hobbs, David Shearer and Pamela Herbertson. 

WORSHIP at ALL SAINTS THIS WEEK: 

Saturday 16 September, 12 NOON MASS WITH HYMNS AND MUSIC is a Celebration Mass and Reunion for USPG Former Staff and Mission Personnel. All are welcome to join for coffee from 11am and for the Mass. The lunch and afternoon events are for those booked as part of USPG’s Reunion. Celebrant: Fr Alan Moses and Preacher: The Revd Canon Chris Chivers, USPG Chair of Trustees and Principal of Westcott House, Cambridge. Organist: Jeremiah Stephenson. 

17 September ~ 14^th Sunday after Trinity
8am Low Mass
10.20am Morning Prayer

11am HIGH MASS with Choir & Sermon
Preacher: The Vicar, Fr Alan Moses 
Schubert Mass in G
Victoria Ave Maria à 8 

Drinks will be served in the courtyard of the Church after Mass to celebrate the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Sue and Nigel Jackson-Stevens, returning to All Saints, where they were married on this day in 1967. A community photograph will be taken to record the celebration.

There is no Sunday Lunch service during the September holiday period. We look forward to welcoming both visitors and regular diners once again later in October.

5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG & BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Watson Canticles in E
Bullock Give us the wings of faith 

This Week’s Services

Monday 18 to Friday 22 September
7.30am Morning Prayer 
 8am Low Mass
12.30-1pm Confessions  
1.10pm Low Mass
5.30pm Confessions  
6pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm Low Mass

Saturday, 23 September
12 noon Low Mass  
6pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm First Mass of Sunday

NEXT SUNDAY’S SERVICES
24 September ~ 15^th Sunday after Trinity
8am Low Mass  
10.20am Morning Prayer

11am HIGH MASS with Choir & Sermon
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Lassus Missa Bell’ Amfitrit’ altera
A. Gabrieli O sacrum convivium 

5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG & BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: The Vicar, Fr Alan Moses
Marenzio Magnificat à 8   Nunc Dimittis Tone II Anthem
G. Gabrieli Jubilate Deo à 8

Full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk. 

Sunday 24 September, 7.15pm All Saints (after Benediction) ORGAN RECITAL dedicated to Dr Jonathan Deane – Jeremiah Stephenson (Assistant Director of Music). Programme includes Marcel Dupré: Cortège et Litanie op 19 no 2 and Prélude et ƒugue en sol mineur op 7 no 3; Maurice Duruflé Suite op 5 – Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata. Retiring collection. All Saints licensed Club/Bar open afterwards.

WEEKLY NOTICES and FUTURE EVENTS at ALL SAINTS 

The JOHN LEWIS (SABEEMA) ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUB AUTUMN EXHIBITION will be shown at All Saints once again from Monday 18 until Sunday 24 September 12 – 6 daily in the Parish Room. Do come and visit – an early opportunity to purchase gifts (art, craft and jewellery) and cards for Christmas.

There is a meeting of the PCC on Monday 18 September, 7pm in the Dining Room. 

Revd Dr Simon Woodman from Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church has asked us to circulate the following invitation. If you have any questions, please contact him direct: T: 020 7240 0544 
E: simonw@bloomsbury.org.uk.

Wednesday 20 September 6.30pm, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8EP – Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church is delighted to host the book-launch for a significant new volume on “Reclaiming the Common Good”. The book is a collection of essays which consider these themes. Beginning with an explanation of the history and meaning of the term ‘common good’, it explores how the sense of working for this ideal has been lost. Focussing, biblically, on issues such as welfare, austerity, migration, environment, peace and justice, it provides a compellingly fresh and insightful analysis on the state of the UK and the world today, and offers a realistic vision of how it could be better. This vision is rooted in the idea of a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem, as suggested in the book of Revelation. This will be an opportunity to meet and hear from contributors to the volume, and to engage with those who are at the forefront of the interface between church and society. Tickets are free, but please register at: https://commongoodbook.eventbrite.co.uk/ 

FUTURE EVENTS ELSEWHERE

TONIGHT – Friday 15 September, 7.30pm – PATRONAL FESTIVAL, St Cyprian’s Church, Glentworth Street, NW1 6AX. Celebrant: Fr Gerald Beauchamp, Preacher: Ven. Rosemary Lain-Priestly. Mass Setting: Kodaly Missa Brevis; Motet: Britten Jubilate in C. Refreshments to follow. 

Thursday 21 September, 6.30pm PATRONAL FESTIVAL St Matthew’s Westminster.  The preacher at the Solemn Mass will be the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd David Walker, and there will be a party afterwards.  The Mass setting will be the Coronation Mass by Mozart, and the anthem will be Bullock’s Give Us The Wings Of Faith. Organist: Jeremiah Stephenson. 

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WESTMINSTER – “Meet the Neighbours” at St Saviour’s (Anglican) Church, St George’s Square Pimlico LONDON SW1V 3QW from 6.30-8.30pm on Thursday, 28 September 2017. Everyone is welcome. The visit will include: The history and architectural features of the church, its ministry in Pimlico today followed by refreshments, with the evening ending with Compline (Night Prayer). St Saviour’s is 3 minutes’ walk from Pimlico (Victoria Line) Underground Station.

Thursday 28 September, 8pm – ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, Bedford Park –– CHORAL HIGH MASS for the Vigil of the Feast of St Michael and All Angels Preacher: The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling, Dean of the Order of St John. Refreshments.

Saturday, 30 September, 10am ANGLICAN CATHOLIC FUTURE NATIONAL FESTIVAL The annual ACF Festival will be held at St James’, Sussex Gardens. The main speaker will be Bishop Philip North, and it promises to be an inspiring day. Further details: www.anglicancatholicfuture.org 

Saturday 30 September at 3pm – You are invited to a POETRY TEA AT PAMELA’S HOME. You can bring poetry or prose.  The theme will be Gardens and Gardening.  To attend please speak to Pamela or Sandra in the courtyard, or ring Sandra on 020 7637 8456 leaving your name & phone number.  Charge £6.  Proceeds to the All Saints’ Restoration Fund. 

ALL SAINTS MISSION PROJECTS

Our year-round fundraising efforts go to support three charities:

The Church Army hostels and programmes in Marylebone empowering homeless women into independent living.
The USPG-led UMOJA, HIV Project in Zimbabwe, enabling people living with HIV and Aids to have positive lives, and
The Soup Kitchen (American International Church, Tottenham Court Road) feeding up to 80 vulnerable people daily in central London. 

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 also need men’s outerwear of all varieties and rucksacks and duffle-bags to help our guests carry their belongings!’

The Soup Kitchen team (only part-time cover) 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 any pastoral assistance, please do not hesitate to contact: 

The Parish Church of All Saints Margaret Street, London W1 W 8JG    Vicar: The Revd Prebendary Alan Moses
T: 07973 878040 E: alanmoses111@gmail.com (Day off: Saturday)

Assistant Priest: The Revd Dr Michael Bowie
T: 07581 180963 E: mnrbowie@gmail.com (Day off: Wednesday)

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.)

If you would like prayers offered, or amendments to the prayer list please contact:
Dee Prior, Parish Administrator (020 7636 1788).  E: astsmgtst@aol.com

Or make use of the prayer request facility on the website at: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/prayer. 

Safeguarding Officers: Chris Self (Vulnerable Adults) and: Janet Drake (Children)  

allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk  www.facebook.com/AllSaintsMargaretStreet