All Saints Parish Newsletter 23rd November 2013
Dear Friends,
“Be still and know that I am God.”
These words from Psalm 46, which we will sing at Mass on Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King, sound a commanding note.
They do more than suggest that it would be good to relax sometimes. We should pay attention.
Noise, visual images and other distractions surround us almost constantly and make attention difficult. Sometimes, if we are honest, we welcome them as a means of keeping God at a safe distance.
So we have to make a conscious option for stillness and to work and defend it.
The psalm’s position alongside the Gospel reading from Luke’s Passion, reminds us that this stillness is not simply “chilling out,” an escape from the harsh realities which the Psalmist addresses.
It should instead be a focus on Jesus Christ, crucified and risen: a sustained attention to his story mediated in word and sacrament; to his presence as “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” That trouble may be a world wracked by conflict, a community or family at odds, or some immediate individual crisis or long-term illness or temptation.
The psalmist commands us to attention but also sounds a note of reassurance:
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea; Though its waters foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.”
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the most high. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown. God shall help her at the break of day.”
The streams which make glad the city of God flow from the pierced side of Christ into the sacramental life of the Church in which we know that God is in the midst of us.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Alan Moses
PRAYER DIARY:
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Harry Allan, Peter Burbidge, Margaret Campbell, Loretta Cappelluti, Rachel Clayton, Sheena Cruse, Rosie Davis, Arthur Fearns, Charles Forker, Denise Inge, Mason Jacobsen, Rachel Jackson-Stevens, Jill, Katherine Lee, Christine Loffty, Joshua Levy, Marimar Perez Fabo, Celia Shore, Stephen Short, Kate Thomas, Andrew Tillyard, David and Jo Vincent, Paolla Vincentin, Heather Walker, Wendy Wall, Fr Stephen Williams.
For the recently departed: John Tavener.
At the anniversary of their death (during the coming week): Henry West, Gladys Howard, Alys Winifred Purdon, Agnes Mackay, Mabel Egerton, Marjorie Gilley, May Beeken, Philip John Burrage, Thomas Tomlinson, Priscilla Sedgewick, John Clayton, Barbara Morrissey, Thomas Ellis, Edith Martin, Margaret Mack, Charles Hawksley, James Crompton, Joseph Kirkham (former Server), Margaret Pickering, Valerie Oram, Annie Marshall, Doris Harmsworth, Lovinia Miller, John Clough (former Chorister), Walter Ward (Priest), Archibald West (Priest), Emily West.
WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY:
Sunday 24 November, 11am – CHRIST THE KING – HIGH MASS Preacher: The Vicar Prebendary Alan Moses. Music: Messe Solennelle – Vierne, Alleluya! I heard a voice – Weelkes
There will be a retiring collection after High Mass at the Church door in aid of the Christian Aid Disasters Emergency Committee Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Appeal and Christine Auton will run a stall in the Parish Room also in aid of the people of the Philippines affected by the Typhoon.
After High Mass there will be a short ceremony of dedication of the Lamps at the Church Gate – renewed in memory of Geoffrey Constable followed by refreshments served in the courtyard to mark the occasion.
TEACHING THE FAITH AT ALL SAINTS – Ten-to-One Sunday Talk Series by the Vicar: WHY DO YOU DO THAT? –Processions. The bell is rung at the start.
6pm – CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION – Preacher: Fr Julian Browning. Music: Service in D – Dyson, Where thou reignest, King of Glory – Schubert
7.15pm (following Benediction) – ORGAN RECITAL – CHARLES ANDREWS, Associate Director of Music. Programme includes: Bach, Widor and Reger. Retiring collection to support the Choir and Music at All Saints (suggested donation £3.50). The All Saints Licensed Club/Bar below the Church will be open afterwards.
NOTICES & NEWS
ALL SAINTS RESTORATION APPEAL – Phase IV Lighting & Electrical Renewal – We are delighted to announce that within the first three weeks of the Appeal, launched by the Vicar on Festival Sunday 3 November, we have raised £19,208 (with anticipated Gift Aid). Adding this to the existing £100,000 makes £119,208 towards our total of £250,000.
The balance we still need to fund-raise for is £130,792. Thank you to everyone who has contributed; we are most grateful.
If you have still to contribute, please make cheques payable to: All Saints Margaret Street PCC Restoration Account and send to Restoration Appeal, All Saints Church Parish Office, 7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG. If you are a UK tax payer and have signed/will sign a Gift Aid declaration with us, your donation to the Appeal is increased by 25%. Please indicate that you wish your contribution to be Gift Aided and ensure we have your full name (with initial/s), address and postcode. If you are unsure if you have signed a Gift Aid declaration form, please pick one up from the table in church, complete and return to Mrs Dee Prior, Parish Administrator.
– NOVEMBER REQUIEM MASS LISTS –
The book for names of those to be remembered at Requiem Masses on Tuesday 26th November at 6.30pm is on the lectern in the Baptistery in Church. Please print names clearly. If you are unable to come into Church to add names to the list – please email astsmgtst@aol.com or telephone Dee Prior, Parish Administrator on 020 7636 1788 as soon as you can.
EVENTS THIS WEEK AT ALL SAINTS, THE ANNUNCIATION AND ST CYPRIAN’S: (Events take place at All Saints unless indicated otherwise.)
OPEN NOW and running until Sat 21 December (CLOSES) – CARD AID SHOP in the Parish Room, opening times: 11am – 3pm Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday). Card Aid shops offer an unrivalled range of cards, together with the assurance that ALL profits from the cards sold are going to charity. Award winning Peace Oil will also be available here at All Saints.
FUTURE EVENTS AT ALL SAINTS, THE ANNUNCIATION AND ST CYPRIAN’S: (Events take place at All Saints unless indicated otherwise.)
Thursday 28 November, 7.15pm – CHARITY CONCERT by COLIBRI GUITAR DUO (Rod Faulkner and Howard Bryant). In aid of TRACKS AUTISM (patron Jane Asher) http://www.tracks-autism.org.uk. Colibri has raised approx £2,000 for Tracks in the last year.
45 minutes of music – both serious and some lighter – from the 16th century to the present day. Composers from Dowland and Granados to U2. Pop in and support this charity event and then go out for a drink/supper. Admission by programme, suggested donation £6.
Friday 29 November, 7pm after the 6.30pm Low Mass with Hymns, All Saints Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham – A REFLECTION by DR COLIN PODMORE who will speak about his recent editing of the writings on Our Lady of prominent Anglo-Catholic Canon Roger Greenacre. Talk to be followed by light refreshments. All welcome.
Saturday 30 November, 3pm – St Cyprian’s Church, Clarence Gate, London NW1 6AX – ADVENT VESPERS THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM – with the St Cyprian’s Singers, directed by Julian Collings. Mattins Responsory: Palestrina, Canticle: Te Deum, laudamus, Herbert Howells: Collegium Regale for King’s College Cambridge.
Sunday 1 December 2013, 6pm – ADVENT SERVICE of READINGS AND MUSIC by Candlelight, with the Choir of All Saints. After the service the All Saints Licensed Club/Bar will be open. All welcome – bring some friends!
Thurs 5 December, 7pm – ANGLICAN CATHOLIC FUTURE event – AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVENT, a Talk by Fr Anders Bergquist, Vicar of St John’s Wood. Talk to be followed by light refreshments. All welcome.
Saturday 7 December, 3pm – CHRISTMAS POETRY TEA at Pamela’s. Please bring ‘Seasonal’ poems or prose – stretch your imagination! To accept, or to find out Pamela’s address, please speak to Pamela or Sandra Wheen in the courtyard after High Mass or ring Sandra on 020 7637 8456 (leaving your name and phone number). Cost £6 in aid of the All Saints Restoration Fund. All welcome.
Tuesday 10 December, 6.45pm – MEETING OF THE ALL SAINTS CHOIR AND MUSIC TRUST AND 7.30pm – THE FOUNDATION, in the Vicarage.
Monday 16 December 2013, 6pm – FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS and CAROLS with the Choir of All Saints. After the service mince pies and mulled wine will be served. All welcome – bring some friends!
Thursday 19 December 2013, 6.30pm CAROL SINGING IN OXFORD STREET – please join us (meet in the Parish Office) to come out and sing and collect for the Church Army Hostel Emergency Bed supported by All Saints Margaret Street. For further information, speak to Janet Drake.
Friday 20 December 2013, 12.30pm – LUNCHTIME CAROL SERVICE and Blessing of the Christmas Tree. Afterwards mince pies and mulled wine will be served. Take a break from work and come and join us!
FUTURE EVENTS ELSEWHERE
Saturday 23 November, 10.30am – 4pm VOCATIONS DAY WITH THE BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD, St Matthew’s Westminster – for men and women exploring vocation to the priesthood. Please register your interest on the Anglican Catholic Future website.