All Saints Parish Newsletter 20th February 2015
Dear Friend,
On the First Sunday in Lent the Gospel tells us of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. We are so used to Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the three-fold temptation and Jesus’ response, that Mark’s compressed account which simply records that he was tempted by Satan, without spelling out the nature of the temptations can come as a shock, even a disappointment.
Mark links temptation to baptism. The Baptist’s wilderness ministry recalls Israel’s experience of the Exodus and testing in Sinai. Now, Jesus immediately after his baptism, is driven literally (thrown or cast out), into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tested.
Our 40 days of Lent seem ordered and tame in comparison with this time of struggle. Such times of trial in our lives and unlikely to be ordered by the Church’s calendar. They can be disturbing and frightening. Our reading of the temptation each year reminds us that we are not failures when trials come to us, unless we give in to them. Scripture reminds us that we are not alone in such struggles. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4.15)
If we attend closely to Mark, we learn that “the angels ministered to him.” This was during the 40 days, not just afterwards. There is a temptation when we are being tested, to retreat into ourselves. This is to cut ourselves off from the angels God sends to minister to us, when we need to turn to them: our Christian companions, our pastors and friends, for prayer and for guidance; to the bread which God provides in the wilderness, the word and sacrament given to strengthen us. We need to pray, not less but more.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Alan Moses
Prebendary 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, Asia Bibi. Fr. Bruce Barnett- Cowan, Jean Bray, Heather Brown, Lily Caplin, James Cary-Elwes, Kate Down, Cynthia Drury, Fr. Norman Greenfield, Tim Harding, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Elspeth Harley, Lewis Harvey, Myrtle Hughes, Maxwell Hutchinson, Sheila Kenyon, Peggy Leeman, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Hilary Morgan, Norman Newby, Malcolm Richards, Jock Scott, Fr. Nicholas Stacey, Buzz Stokes, Celia Swan, Joy Wright and Mark Young.
For the recently departed: Myra Shields, Linda Orme, Joshua Dorgu, Frank Whitehill (Friend of All Saints, whose Funeral took place at the Church on Thursday 19 February at 2.30pm), Peter Blake-Davies, Jane Wildash (whose Funeral took place on Thursday 19 February at 10.30am at St Peter’s Eaton Square), Marjorie Bowden, Ian Rainbow, Robert Streit (whose Funeral will take place at All Saints at 2.15pm on Thursday 5 March), David Peschek (former All Saints Chorister 1941 – 1945 – his Funeral is at 2.15pm Friday 20 February at All Saints Farmborough, near Bath) and Pamela Paul.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week: John Sanders Vickery (Priest, All Saints), William Butterfield (Architect All Saints), Thomas Skeffington- Lodge, James Keen, Eleanor Alaway, Derek Beavan (All Saints’ MC, Server and PCC Member), Diana Stonebanks, Lionel Ryan, Catherine Thomas and Alexander Finnis.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Sunday 22 February – FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Father Michael Bowie
Mass for five voices – Byrd
Salvator mundi I – Tallis
Ten to One Talk Theme: The Offertory – the bell will ring beforehand.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
The Short Service – Byrd
Miserere mei, Deus – Byrd
There is NO Sunday lunch service this week – but Stuart Voy and his team will be cooking on Sunday 1 March when tickets will be available for £5 from the Shop in the Parish Room (subject to availability).
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
Sunday 1 MARCH – SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Missa ‘Saeculorum Amen’ – Guerrero
A Litany (Drop, drop, slow tears) – Timothy Byram-Wigfield
Ten to One Talk Theme: Sursum Corda & Preface and Sanctus & Benedictus. The bell will ring beforehand.
CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Father Michael Bowie
The Short Service – Weelkes
Ach, arme Welt – Brahms
NEWS & NOTICES
NEW PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE ALL SAINTS WEBSITE – take a look at these recent images: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk/about/photos. They include a record of Corpus Christi 2014, the Dedication of the Church’s new lighting at a Festal Evensong and Solemn Benediction on 1st February and Candlemas 2015. We will be adding to the collection in the coming months to ensure that the different liturgical seasons are recorded and the website updated. Further images will be added from record photographs being taken by English Heritage as they cover All Saints in the Marylebone edition of the Survey of London. These collections of new photographs will provide a resource for us to prepare a new guide to the Church and fresh postcards, as funds permit.
ALL SAINTS’ PARISH RETREAT 2015 – PLEASE NOTE – Just 8 places left!!
The Retreat will be at Ely again, from 13-15 March. The conductor will be Fr John Cullen. If you would like to attend, or to know more about it, please contact Martin Woolley on 07976 275383 or at m.g.woolley@btinternet.com. A careful note will be kept of the order in which firm reservations are received to assist with fair room allocation.
ALL SAINTS’ PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM – July 2015 – All places booked.
LENT at ALL SAINTS
LENT STUDY GROUP (from Friday 20 February for six weeks)
The Study Group meets on Fridays at 11am in the Vicarage. This year, at the Sunday Eucharist, the Church is reading St. Mark’s Gospel. So the publication of Rowan Williams’ book “Meeting God in Mark” is providential. The book is based on Holy Week talks given Archbishop Rowan in Canterbury Cathedral in 2010. It comes equipped with a daily reading scheme for Lent and questions for discussion. It is published by SPCK and costs £8.99. If you wish to join the group – please let Dee Prior, Parish Administrator, know: T: 0207 636 1788 or E: astsmgtst@aol.com.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS – Fridays: at 7.05pm (after the Evening Mass) starting Friday 20 February, a weekly devotional service in Lent meditating on the events of Jesus’ Passion.
EVENSONG SERMONS during LENT (from Sunday 22 February)
In the Common Worship Baptism service the “Commission” gives a summary of the Christian life. At Evensong on the Sundays of Lent, we will have a series of sermons based on this to guide us in our corporate and individual self-examination. These will lead up to our corporate renewal of baptismal vows at Easter.
Lent 1 “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers?”
Lent 2 “Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?”
Lent 3 “Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?”
Lent 4 “Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?”
Lent 5 (preached on Palm Sunday) “Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak and seeking peace and justice?”
ALL SAINTS’ LENT APPEAL
Our Lent Appeal 2015 will be shared equally three ways:
- Bishop of London’s Appeal, which is concentrating on supporting Youth, Children and Family projects across the Diocese,
- Us (formerly USPG) and their support of the church in Zimbabwe in working with those affected by HIV and AIDS and providing local clergy and lay leaders with skills and training to undertake the work, and
- The Marylebone Project, where our money goes towards providing one of the emergency beds in the Homeless Women’s Centre.
For more information about the Bishop of London’s Appeal see: www.london.anglican.org/articles/the-lent-appeal-who-inspired-you/?utm_campaign=Ministry_Matters_Jan_2015&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=CM_londondiocesan.
ALL SAINTS’ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY IN FEBRUARY/MARCH
*** SPECIAL RESTORATION APPEAL FUNDRAISING EVENT ***
Sunday 1 March and Sunday 8 March, 9.30 – 10.50am and post 11am Mass until 1.30pm – All Saints’ Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG, Parish Room,
THE “HOLY HOARDER’S” RESTORATION APPEAL SALE
A substantial sale of largely new (and some nearly new) men’s clothing items in aid of the Restoration Appeal. We have been given a generous gift by Fr John Rick III of high quality men’s clothes – 60 pairs of new tassle-loafer shoes in sizes 8.5, 9 AND 9.5 (Gucci, Cole Haan, Weejuns brands) and 30 pairs of new Camper casual/athletic shoes; Bomber-style jackets size 42 (in leather, nylon water-proof and cotton); 30 pairs of Khaki 34 waist trousers; Corduroy trousers; Jeans; 25 Jumpers; Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirts, 55 dress and casual shirts, 12 Sports Jackets, 11 pairs of shorts, scarves, skip caps and socks (knee-high and ankle). Goods range in price from £1.50 – £35 a piece (shoes from £8 – £12). This is a cash only sale in aid of the Restoration Appeal. Please come and get yourself a bargain and support our Church restoration project.
Sunday 1 March – There is a meeting of the Mission Committee after Mass in the Parish Office.
Thursday 5 March, 2.15pm – The Funeral of Robert Streit.
Sunday 8 March, 7.15pm after Benediction – ORGAN RECITAL – CHARLES ANDREWS (Associate Director of Music). Programme: Prelude in G minor (1914) – W. S. Vale, An Wasserflüssen Babylon BWV653 – J. S. Bach, Fugue in G minor BWV578 – J. S. Bach, Suite op. 5 – M. Duruflé (Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata). 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.
EVENTS BEYOND ALL SAINTS
Thursday 26 February, 7pm St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London W1S 1PX (a short walk from Oxford Circus) – Sir Richard Temple will be presenting a Film on the Life of Contemplative Christianity in Iconography and Monasticism in Eastern Christianity. This is a Churches Together in Westminster event. All are welcome. Entry is free. Following the film, there will be time for discussion and refreshments.
Sunday 1 March 3pm – POETRY TEA AT PAMELA’S. All welcome. Please bring Poetry or Prose on the subject of ‘Love’. 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 – raising funds towards the All Saints Restoration Appeal.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – Friday, 6 March, 2.30pm, at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster (in The Chapel). All are welcome to this Interdenominational Service, prepared this year by the Women of The Bahamas. The Service will be followed by tea in an adjoining room.
Wednesday 25 March, 7pm – Feast of Title, The Annunciation Marble Arch – High Mass & Procession, Preacher: Fr Paul Thomas, Vicar of St James Sussex Gardens. Drinks reception after mass. All welcome.
Monday 30 March 2015, 6.30pm, St Cyprian’s Clarence Gate – Francis Holland School presents a Charity Choral Concert in aid of St Cyprian’s Church. Music by Handel, Haydn, Parry & Rutter including Handel’s Zadok the Priest. Tickets £10/Under 18s Free. For tickets please contact Mrs Gurini (sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk)
ALL SAINTS RESTORATION PROJECT UPDATE
EXCELLENT PROGRESS with work and fundraising but FURTHER DONATIONS NEEDED to reduce the reliance on loans
New wiring and lighting, essential CCTV security and fire detection systems cost £372,000. Church reopened for all daily weekday worship on Monday 2 February. Finishing works on the fire alarm and back of house areas continue to the end of the month. We now want to reduce our reliance on loans so any further gifts you can make will help us to do that.
HOW YOU CAN HELP………. please be as generous as you can, making cheques payable to: All Saints Church Restoration Appeal and sending them 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% at no cost to yourself. Thank you!
Please note: Sundays 1 and 8 March pre and post Mass (full details elsewhere in this Newsletter) – Special Fundraising Event – THE HOLY HOARDER’S SALE OF MEN’S CLOTHING in the Parish Room at All Saints – all in aid of the Restoration Project. Please get yourself a bargain and support this worthy cause. .
ALL SAINTS MISSION ACTIVITIES
ONGOING SUPPORT for HOMELESS PEOPLE through:
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 – The grand total collected in 2014 was £3,463 (up significantly on 2013’s support of £2,790) to this Mission Project through the All Saints Festival and Lent Appeals. The Project (in acknowledging our support) said:
‘Such a wonderful amount to have raised, thank you so very much for your valued support’.
A further £3,000 raised in 2014 for Us (formerly USPG) was acknowledged to be a ‘very generous gift’ which will be used to feed communities and generate income to support AIDS orphans in child-headed families in Zimbabwe.
Year Round Support – we also support the Marylebone 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
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
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.
www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com.