All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friends,

The Gospel accounts of the burial of Jesus are brief but beautiful. But as they are short and heard either at the end of long passion readings or on Holy Saturday when not many people are at church, they get only passing attention.

I always find them especially poignant. Perhaps because, as a priest, the burial of the dead and ministry to the bereaved has been part of my life since a much younger age than for most people.

Jesus’ body is claimed by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish Council, until now he had feared to confess his faith in Jesus publicly.

But now, when terror was all around, fear has gone and he goes to Pilate to claim this controversial corpse.

Joseph is not the only one transformed by the death of Jesus. In John’s account, he is joined by Nicodemus. One who early in the gospel had come to Jesus by night appears again as night falls.  He had been an ambiguous figure, showing interest in Jesus, but avoiding public commitment. For him too, the cross has been a decisive moment.

The huge amount of spices he brings recalls the precious perfume which Mary “wasted” anointing Jesus at Bethany in that earlier beautiful and intimate incident in Holy Week. The excess is a sign of their love for Jesus.

The two men show themselves to be his disciples, those who live out their love for him, in coming forward to bury him and in the care and dignity with which they do this.

The requirements of a proper burial are followed and more. Spices and linen clothes were for the rich or prominent. The newness of the garden tomb further underlines the dignity of this burial. Instead of being thrown into a common grave, Jesus is given a resting place in a rich man’s tomb.

John means us to see the courage and reverence of the two, as a model for our own discipleship.

Reverence for Jesus, the spice of incense and fine linen, is clearly evident in our worship at All Saints.

Boldness in professing our faith publicly is perhaps in shorter supply.

So, we must pray that the Christ who rose from that tomb in which he had been so tenderly laid to rest, will – through his Spirit – fill us with some of that courage Joseph and Nicodemus found in him.

May our Easter be blessed with such a gift.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses   
Prebendary Alan Moses
Vicar of All Saints Margaret St
Area Dean of Westminster & St Marylebone

Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Harry Allan, Alan Bishton, Susan Beauchamp, Jean Brackston, Rachel Clayton, Kate Down, Ursula Edwards, Canon David Garlick, Geoff, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Nicholas Harrington, Denise Inge, Jill, Katherine Lee, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Santa Luca, Kerry Manuel, Jonathan Mani-Weoki, Megan and Chantal, Norman Newby, Andrew O’Connor, Rebecca, Peter Royle, Stephen Short, Marilyn Stansfield, Dilys Thomas, Mary Thomas and Joy Wright.

For the recently departed: Shereka Marsh, Michael Powell, Christopher Hall, Geoffrey Hadfield, Beryl Harding (funeral at Golders Green Crematorium 11.30am Tuesday 22 April), Rosie Davis, John Mansfield, Michael Spencer.  

At the anniversary of their death (during the coming week): Henry Mackay (Priest), Constance Briscoe, David Mason (Priest), Charles Messenger, Elenor Stanton, Arthur Sandeman (Priest), Hannah Ebbs, John Burton-White, Beatrice Atkins, Ada Brookes, Letitia Nettey, Sarah Edmonds, Sister Elizabeth Noel, Leslie Clutterham, Dorothy Coles Ze Renato, Denzil Freeth (former Churchwarden of All Saints).

WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS WEEKEND
HOLY SATURDAY 19 APRIL, EASTER EVE
9pm High Mass of the Easter Vigil
Preacher: Bishop John Flack
Missa Brevis – Jonathan Dove
Litany of Thanksgiving for the Resurrection (arr. Kitchen)

SUNDAY, EASTER DAY, SUNDAY 20 APRIL
11am Procession, Blessing of the Easter Garden and HIGH MASS
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses 
Krönungsmesse – Mozart 
Easter – Vaughan Williams

6pm Festal Evensong, Te Deum and Benediction
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie, Assistant Priest  
The Chichester Service – Walton
Dum transisset Sabbatum – Taverner

ALL SAINTS’ LENT APPEAL 2014

Our Lenten self-denial is complemented by giving alms to those in need.
Almsgiving this year is divided between All Saints’ Mission Projects:

• The Church Army Hostel for Homeless Women in Marylebone, providing emergency housing and enabling them to find long-term accommodation and work.  
• The work of Us (formerly USPG) in Zimbabwe tackling the stigma associated with people having HIV-Aids

 and The Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal, which will support:

• ALMA (The Angola, London and Mozambique Association) and
• The Bishop of London’s Mission Fund, which is aimed at reaching ‘beyond the walls of the church’ to increase its mission work in areas of social need as well as keeping pace with the needs of the growing church in London. Since 2004, 100 projects + have received grants totalling £3.8M.

Lent Boxes are available for you to collect in church. Please return by Easter.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WESTMINSTER – Visit to All Saints – Thursday 24 April. Hosted by All Saints Margaret Street, from 6 – 8.30pm. All are welcome to join this visit to this Grade 1 Listed Anglican Church regarded as one of the foremost examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain. 6pm Evening Prayer – 6.30pm Low Mass (Anglican) Communicant members of other Churches are welcome to receive Holy Communion at this Mass, or receive a blessing. Followed by a welcome from Prebendary Alan Moses (Vicar), Talk/Tour of the Church by John Forde (Churchwarden) and Refreshments.

LOOKING AHEAD – DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES

ALL SAINTS’ OLD CHORISTERS’ EVENSONG – Saturday 3 May – 4pm
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis specially written for the occasion by Martin Bruce (Headmaster, Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford). Anthem “Let all the World in every corner sing” by Louis Halsey. Organist: Harry Bramma. Afternoon Tea is offered after the service in the Courtyard (if the weather is fine), with a chance to meet up and reminisce. All welcome – please come and support the former Choristers

REQUIEM MASS FOR CHARLES FORKER
of Bloomington, Indiana, who died on 15 February. All Saints Margaret Street – Saturday 10 May at 11am. Charles was for many years a member of the Friends of All Saints and on his annual visits to London, a faithful worshipper here. The Mass will be followed by refreshments.

POETRY TEA – Friday 23 May 3pm at Pamela’s.  All welcome.  The subject will be “Hot and Cold”.  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 and leave a message with your name and phone number.  Please book early to avoid disappointment.  Cost £6 towards the All Saints Restoration Fund.

WALSINGHAM NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE – Bank Holiday Monday 26 May
All Saints is running a coach once again to the Walsingham National Pilgrimage – with a Concelebrated Mass in the Abbey Grounds, Sermon (Preacher: Mother Mary Luke CHC), Procession round the Village, and Benediction in the Shrine Gardens. This has always been a day to enjoy and a powerful witness to the Christian faith. The total cost will be about £20. Please speak to Ross Buchanan (Tel: 020 7221 1312) if you would like to know more or reserve a place on the coach.

ASCENSION DAY at ALL SAINTS
Thursday 29 May at 6.30pm – HIGH MASS
Mass Setting: Missa ‘Ascendo ad Patrem – Palestrina
Ascendit Deus – Philips  

ALL SAINTS PARISH RETREAT – Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2014
This year’s Retreat, conducted by Father Julian Browning, is now well – but not fully – subscribed. We would welcome one further participant to make up the numbers, and could take up to four. The cost (standard room) is £130. Enquiries to m.g.woolley@btinternet.com please or on 0207 436 2858 or 07976 275 383.

WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS NEXT SUNDAY – 27 APRIL – SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
HIGH MASS and HOLY BAPTISM, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Missa ‘Che fa’ oggi il mio sole’ – Allegri
Haec dies – Byrd

CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Service in E – Murrill
Alleluya, I heard a voice – Weelkes

ALL SAINTS RESTORATION – Lighting & Electrical Renewal Update
The display of our proposals for this Restoration Project continues in the Baptistery. We have now received approval to proceed with this essential work in our Grade 1 Listed Church, but must secure all the funds to go ahead. We are delighted to announce that we have now raised or had pledged £215,000 (86% of target), but still have a further £35,000 to find to match the budget figure. While we are approaching Trusts and other Grant-giving bodies for the short-fall, if there is anyone who has not yet contributed, please do so via the Parish Office (with Gift Aid wherever possible). Thank you to everyone who has already contributed donations large and small; we are extremely grateful. We hope that works will commence later this in 2014.

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.

DAILY SERVICES (the Church is open every day of the week from 7am to 7pm)

SUNDAYS
Low Mass at 6.30pm (Saturday), 8am and 5.15pm
Morning Prayer at 10.20am
HIGH MASS AND SERMON at 11am
CHORAL EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION at 6pm          

MONDAY TO FRIDAY
Morning Prayer at 7.30am
Low Mass at 8am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm
(Except bank holiday – 1.10pm Mass only)
Confessions from 12.30pm -1pm and 5.30pm
(No Confessions on bank holidays)
Evening Prayer at 6pm

SATURDAYS
Morning Prayer at 7.30am
Low Mass at 8.00am and 6.30pm (First Mass of Sunday)
Confessions at 5.30pm
Evening Prayer at 6pm

On major weekday feasts, High Mass is sung at 6.30pm and Evening Prayer at 5.45pm.

A priest is available in church for confessions or counsel every weekday from 12.30-1pm (except Saturdays) and at 5.30pm, or by appointment. The clergy are always happy to see anyone for whatever reason. Please enquire at the Parish Office (to the right as you enter the church courtyard).

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