All Saints Parish Newsletter 21st July 2017
Dear Friend
Trinity 6
The parables point to the ways of God, his ‘kingdom’, what it is like to live in his territory, though still ‘strangers and pilgrims’ here on earth. They are often counter-intuitive, like the parable of the weeds among the wheat this Sunday, which is a reminder that we can’t live in a vacuum-sealed environment (you can’t breathe for very long in a vacuum). More than that, it suggests that we, the Church, shouldn’t want to disengage with the world, however troubling that world may sometimes be.
The parables are also microcosms of how to read scripture holistically, not literally. The best way to understand scripture is to get to know it well enough to allow the overarching narrative to emerge and gradually clarify the things that we can’t at first comprehend. When there are inconsistencies or differences, we learn to live with them, as the parable suggests; living with them we come to see them as examples of the richly various approaches to the truth of our salvation in and through Christ.
The revelation of scripture doesn’t work like an earthquake, a sudden shocking change; it is more like erosion, a gradual wearing away of the sharp edges of prejudice and hubris which get in the way of our relationship with God. As part of that process, Sunday’s parable urges us to hold off premature judgement and precipitate reactions and allow growth to reveal a broader truth, a Kingdom-culture which also generously enlarges the truth we think we know about our neighbours.
Parables are stories which Jesus used to communicate this truth; they come clear to those with ears to hear, those who are prepared to live with them and grow into the meaning rather than trying to control it by limiting the meaning to their own ability to understand. Thanks be to God that we are inheritors of this intelligent legacy.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Michael Bowie
Assistant Priest
All Saints Margaret Street
THIS WEEK’S PRAYER DIARY
We pray for Fr Alan Moses, the Vicar, and the members of our congregation on pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk this weekend.
Those who have asked for prayers
Asia Bibi, Pat Hawkins, Fr Graham Francis, Hannelore Sibley, Maria Magdalena Gemanaite, Faddy Hardo, Ken Hales, Fr Giles Fraser, Gulzari Babber, John Hughes, Ron Capon, Patricia Capon, Nancy Gardner, Katie Marko, Andrew Evans, Sarah Payne, Rodney Bickerstaffe and Ros Tagoe.
Those known to us recently departed
Vicky Wilmott, Hugh Cox, Charlotte Nikoi, Graham Wheeler Priest, Pearl Baker, Shirley Jones, Giles Pilgrim Morris whose Funeral takes place on Tuesday 25 July in the afternoon), Richard Finlay, Wesley Carr, Priest.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week
Edward Pressland Jones, Elizabeth Pressland, John Holden Priest, Jeffrey Tapley, Ada Rivington, Peter Champion Jones, Edith Wallis, Muriel Williams, Enid Ingle, Edward Reader Priest, David Sparrow, Priest and 10th Vicar of All Saints Margaret Street, Jean Neighbour, Teresa Butler, Roy Ellis, Edward Hobson, Herbert Palmer Priest, Helen Clark, George Maynard and Patricia Self.
WEEKLY NOTICES and FUTURE EVENTS
the PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM takes place from today to Monday 24 July. The Vicar is leading the group of pilgrims this year.
Please give your support to this talk next week in the parish room: “HELP US TO STAY” Wednesday 26 July, 7pm An illustrated talk on his recent pilgrimage to the Lebanon with Aid to the Church in Need, by Fr. David Ackerman, Vicar of St. John’s, Kensal Green. Aid to the Church in Need was one of the charities supported by the 2016 Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal, and one of All Saints’ Lent Appeal projects.
PRUDENTIAL RIDE LONDON, Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July Please be aware that roads will be closed and public transport affected by this major cycling event in central London and Surrey. For more information about the impact on travel, please see https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/spectator-information.
THE AUGUST PARISH PAPER is due in church from Friday 28 July.
MARYLEBONE PROJECT STUDY PACK APPEAL – The latest Marylebone Project Newsletter – on the Church table – describes a new initiative to support women in gaining qualifications to help them become independent. The appeal is for pens, pencils, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, rubbers, notebooks, rucksacks, memory sticks and reusable water bottle. If anyone can provide these things, please drop them off at the Parish Office as for household items. Thank you.
Tuesday 15 August – FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – HIGH MASS & OUTDOOR PROCESSION with choir and brass accompaniment 6.30pm
Preacher: Fr Richard Peers, Director of Education, Diocese of Liverpool
Mass Setting: Mozart Missa Brevis in C ‘Orgelsolo’, K.259
Motet before procession: Elgar Ave Maria
Voluntary: Guilmant Grand Choeur in E flat (Op. 40 No 4)
The Feast of the Assumption is our major annual celebration of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. On this day, we thank God for Mary, the first Christian, and ask her prayers for all persecuted Christians.
All are welcome to join us – please invite friends.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK:
Sunday 23 July – Trinity 6
11am HIGH MASS with Choir and Sermon
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Haydn Jugendmesse
Parry Never weather-beaten sail
There is no Sunday Lunch this week due to the Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham, from Friday 21 to Monday 24 July. Next week, Sunday 30th July, will be our final All Saints lunch before the long summer break. Frances O’Neil will be cooking and we look forward to welcoming our visitors and all our regular diners. Please see the full Menu in the courtyard. Tickets £5 on sale at the Parish Shop before and after Mass.
5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG & BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Bairstow in G
Mendelssohn Ave Maria
SERVICES THIS WEEK
Monday 24 to Friday 28 July
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, 29 July
12 noon Low Mass
6pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm First Mass of Sunday
Next Sunday’s Services
30 July ~ 7th Sunday after Trinity
8am Low Mass
10.20am Morning Prayer
11am HIGH MASS with Choir & Sermon
Preacher: Fr Alan Moses, Vicar
Walton Missa Brevis
Walton Set me as a seal
5.15pm Low Mass
6pm EVENSONG& BENEDICTION with Sermon
Preacher: Fr Barry Orford
Tallis Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, Octavi Toni
Harris Bring us, O Lord God
For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk.
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 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 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.)
For 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