All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friends,

Coming and going about my duties, I often run the gauntlet at Oxford Circus of people handing out religious tracts. Jehovah’s Witnesses promoting their “made-in-America” heresy as the cure for stress. I would have thought that worrying if you are one of 144,000 saved might substitute one form of anxiety for another.  Another often stands between two witnesses to hand out invitations to try Scientology; another made-in-America religion.  L. Ron Hubbard, its founder, was a science fiction writer who turned to religion because, as he said, “If you want to get rich, start a religion.”

These characters sprang to mind as I was mulling over this Sunday’s readings, and came across these words in the epistle (1 Thessalonians 2.1-8):  “…we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed…”

It’s a long time since anyone got rich working for the Church of England, and perhaps this young Scientologist guesses this; he always greets me with a cheery “Hello, Father.”  He knows perfectly well that I’m not going to take one of his leaflets. I smile in return and say a polite “No thank you” to the Jehovah’s Witnesses; in line I hope with Paul’s “We were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.” 

Sandwiched between the command in Leviticus to “love your neighbour as yourself,” and the gospel in which our Lord takes up those words in his summary of the law, Sunday’s epistle might pass almost un-noticed.

But this letter is probably the earliest Christian document we possess, dating from only a decade or so after the life of Jesus.  Written to a Christian community in a pluralistic religious environment, one with its share of spiritual and philosophical charlatans who preyed on the gullible and vulnerable for financial gain, it speaks of very different motivation and method in mission and ministry. 

Paul offers a contrasting picture of himself and his fellow-missionaries. They could “have made demands as apostles of Christ,” but did not, “For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery…” They recognised the profound connection between what they preached and how they acted:  “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”

But this apostle, gentle as a nurse, also had a steely integrity about him, “just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Paul’s task is to preach the gospel and his own life is integral to his preaching. Faithfulness to the gospel, not worldly success, is the measure of his ministry, as it is of ours. All Saints is not one of those “prosperity cults” which see financial reward as a sign of divine favour.  People don’t come here to get rich, except in treasures of the Spirit. But do we share Paul’s determination to share these riches with others, or do we keep them to ourselves?  We may approve neither the message nor the methods of those people at Oxford Circus, but can we match their determination to share our faith?

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses
Vicar, All Saints Margaret Street
Area Dean of Westminster – St Marylebone

Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Stephanie Aziz, Douglas Beeken, Alan Bishton, Susan Beauchamp, Rachel Clayton, Rosamond Clayton, Kate Down, Jean East, Tim Harding, Yvonne & Philip Harland, Elspeth Harley, Lewis Harvey, Myrtle Hughes, Molly Leng, Joshua Levy, Christine Loffty, Hilary Morgan, Norman Newby, Maureen Pride, David Reeves, Malcolm Richards, Peter Royle, Jock Scott, Dilys Thomas, Mary Thomas and Joy Wright.

For the recently departed: Colin Titmus, Mark Wood (Priest) and Jonathan Mani-Weoki, Thomas Shaw SSJE (Bishop), Sylvia Eldridge, John Andrew and Kenneth Lanceley – whose funeral takes place today 24^th October 2014.

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week: Gwendoline Freeman, Joseph Harding, Dorothy Gartside, William Lloyd Webber (5^th Organist of All Saints), Phyllis Richards, Sister Dorothy Hilda (All Saints Sisters of the Poor and former Sacristan of All Saints), Tharu Tharakan, John Todd (All Saints’ Friend), Marian Ross, Frank Leeman, Br Bernard Dawson (of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester), Jane Pollard, Cecil Mead, Carol Searles (Secretary Assistant at All Saints) and Janet Reid.

WORSHIP AT ALL SAINTS THIS SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER – LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 
HIGH MASS & BAPTISM (Sophia Grace Bushby) at 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Mass in B flat – Rachmaninov 
Hymn of the Cherubim – Rachmaninov 

There is a Buildings Committee meeting in the Parish Office after Mass. 

Sunday lunch is served this week. Tickets £5 from the Parish Shop in the Parish Room. John and Paul are providing a main course, dessert and coffee.

CHORAL EVENSONG & BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: Archbishop Sir David Moxon, Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Centre, Rome
Service in B flat – Rachmaninov 
Ave Maria – Rachmaninov
Refreshments will be served afterwards in Church– while the Archbishop talks about the Anglican Centre and its Friends. All welcome. The Bar will not open this evening.

WORSHIP THIS WEEK – ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL 2014 SERVICES

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 6.30pm – EVE OF ALL SAINTS, LITANY OF THE SAINTS, SOLEMN EVENSONG & SOLEMN BENEDICTION
Preacher: The Reverend Reuben Preston,
Vicar of St Mary of Eton Church, Hackney Wick
Canticles: The Chichester Service – Walton
Anthem: O what their joy and their glory must be—Harris

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 11am – ALL SAINTS’ DAY HIGH MASS
Preacher: The Reverend Dr Greg Seach, Dean of Clare College, Cambridge
Mass Setting: Missa Sanctae Margaretae – Gabriel Jackson
Anthem: Gaudent in coelis—Hassler
The Bar will open after the Service.  

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY – ALL SAINTS’ FESTIVAL SUNDAY
PROCESSION & HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Very Reverend Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield
Krönungsmesse – Mozart
Cantate Domino – Gabriel Jackson
The Bar will open as usual after the Service.

SOLEMN EVENSONG, TE DEUM & SOLEMN BENEDICTION at 6pm
Preacher: The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres, Bishop of London
The Truro Service – Gabriel Jackson
Love unto thine own who camest – Stewart 
Drinks will be served after the service in Church or the Courtyard (depending on weather). The Bar will not open this evening.

MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER – ALL SOULS’ DAY 6.30pm – HIGH MASS OF REQUIEUM
Preacher: The Very Reverend Victor Stock
Mass Setting:  Officium defunctorum à 6 – Victoria
Anthem: Justorum animae—Byrd
The Bar will not be open after the Service.

ALL SAINTS EVENTS in OCTOBER/NOVEMBER:

Friday 31 October to Monday 3 November – See All Saints Festival information above and below.

Monday 3 November – ALL SOUL’S DAY 6.30pm – HIGH MASS OF REQUIEM. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Wednesday 5 November, 8am – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Sunday 9 November – after High Mass there will be a meeting of the Health & Safety Committee in the Parish Office.

Monday 10 November, 7pm – there is a meeting of the All Saints PCC – which will be attended by the Archdeacon.

Wednesday 12 November, 1.10pm – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Sunday 23 November, 7.15pm (after Evensong & Benediction) – ORGAN RECITAL by Timothy Byram-Wigfield, Director of Music at All Saints. The programme includes works by: Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Bach, Reger and Boëllmann.  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. 

Wednesday 26 November, 7pm – EVENING ADVENT GROUP meets for four consecutive weeks in the Vicarage – reading Rowan William’s Being Christian – Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer. Other dates are: Wednesdays 3, 10 and 17 December. 

Wednesday 26 November, 6.30pm – Requiem Mass. Please print the name of anyone you would like to have remembered at this Mass in the black folder in the Parish Room (weekdays) or Baptistery (Sunday).

Friday 28 November, 11am – DAYTIME ADVENT GROUP meets for four consecutive weeks in the Vicarage – reading Rowan William’s Being Christian – Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer.
Other dates are: Fridays 5, 12 and 19 December.

Sunday 30 November, 6pm – ADVENT SERVICE OF READINGS & MUSIC

ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL 2014 SERVICES

FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER 6.30pm – EVE OF ALL SAINTS, LITANY OF THE SAINTS, SOLEMN EVENSONG & SOLEMN BENEDICTION
Preacher: The Reverend Reuben Preston,
Vicar of St Mary of Eton Church, Hackney Wick
Canticles: The Chichester Service – Walton
Anthem: O what their joy and their glory must be—Harris

SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER 11am – ALL SAINTS’ DAY HIGH MASS
Preacher: The Reverend Dr Greg Seach, Dean of Clare College, Cambridge
Mass Setting: Missa Sanctae Margaretae – Gabriel Jackson
Anthem: Gaudent in coelis—Hassler

SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER 11am – ALL SAINTS’ FESTIVAL SUNDAY
PROCESSION & HIGH MASS
Preacher: The Very Reverend Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield
Mass Setting: Krönungsmesse – Mozart
Anthem: Cantate Domino—Gabriel Jackson

6pm SOLEMN EVENSONG, TE DEUM & SOLEMN BENEDICTION
Preacher:  The Right Reverend & Right Honourable Richard Chartres, Bishop of London
Canticles: The Truro Service – Gabriel Jackson
Anthem: Love unto thine own camest – Stewart

MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER – ALL SOULS’ DAY 6.30pm – HIGH MASS OF REQUIEUM
Preacher: The Very Reverend Victor Stock
Mass Setting:  Officium defunctorum à 6 – Victoria
Anthem: Justorum animae—Byrd

EVENTS BEYOND ALL SAINTS
 
CURRENT EXHIBITION AT ST MARYLEBONE (Mon – Fri 9 – 5pm and Sat 9 – 4pm) includes two recent drawings of the interior of All Saints. Artist Marguerite Elliott is selling the originals and digital archival prints in aid of the charity Children with Cancer UK. The Parish Office has two tickets for a 6pm showing on Wednesday 29 October if anyone would like to attend. Phone Dee Prior: 0207 636 1788.

Thursday 13 November, 6.45pm THE 2014 MARYLEBONE SERVICE at The Annunciation, Marble Arch W1H 7AH. An interfaith celebration of Marylebone, the international village. The Chairman of the Marylebone Association, the Lord Mayor of Westminster cordially invites you to this service, followed by a reception. Limited spaces – RSVP essential, by email k.coyne@ish.org.uk or call 0207 631 8366. The event is supported by the Portman and Howard de Walden Estates.

Saturday 29 November, 3pm – St Cyprian’s, Clarence Gate – ADVENT VESPERS

Friday 12 December, 6.45pm – ALL SAINTS’ CELL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM EVENT – In the octave of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception – an Ecumenical Visit to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, Mayfair.
All are invited and welcome to join the liturgy – Anglican Evensong led by Fr Michael Bowie with address by Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, a tour of the church, followed by light refreshments. You do not have to be a member of the Cell to attend but please advise Mrs Rosa Postance by email (rosa_postance @hotmail.com) if you are going to come to this event.

NOTICES

WALSINGHAM PARISH PILGRIMAGE 2015
All Saints’ twelfth annual pilgrimage to Walsingham will take place from Friday 17 to Monday 20 July 2015. (In the past the pilgrimage has been from Friday to Sunday, but following feedback after the 2014 event, we are offering an option to stay until Monday lunchtime.) Please indicate which departure date you would like when booking. If you are interested (or would like to find out more) please speak to Jean Castledine or contact Ross Buchanan on 020 7221 1312 or ross.r.buchanan@btinternet.com.

Due to the Shrine’s limited capacity and booking arrangements, those who would like to attend will need to pay a non-refundable deposit of £10 to the Parish Administrator, Dee Prior, by the end of November 2014 to reserve a place on the Pilgrimage. A further £10 deposit will be required by Monday 13 April 2015 and the full payment for accommodation by Monday 15 June 2015. 

ALL SAINTS RESTORATION APPEAL UPDATE – WORK IS GOING WELL!

FUNDRAISING
Thanks to the very considerable generosity of parishioners and friends and the good news of a fortnight ago, that we were awarded £10,000 by the Garfield Weston Foundation, we have now received or had pledged £365,835. This reduces our reliance on loans to c £19,000  (from £35,000) but we still have a couple of important project elements that we have had to put on hold to get within the overall project figure – a CCTV security system and an automatic fire detection system. Both items would be highly desirable in our Grade 1 Listed Church if further donations are received.

WORKS – The electrical cabling strip out in Church and delicate work of making good and repainting the fabric afterwards is almost complete and running to schedule. The Chandeliers have been painted at the blacksmiths and are travelling to Southampton to have the light fittings attached. Church has been closed during weekdays to allow the use of a cherry picker at high-level to strip out the old cables.

Work to install the new electrics in the Church itself is planned after the All Saints Festival from Tuesday 4 November – for completion by the end of January 2015, allowing for a Christmas break and subject to the delivery of all specialist materials. During this phase, we will need to install scaffolding in the North and South aisles and – for as short a period as possible – in the Chancel.

WEEKDAY SERVICES – are taking place in the Parish Room and Confessions are heard in the Oratory (access via the Parish Office). Church will be open on Sunday throughout the project. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP………. further donations are needed to reduce our reliance on loans and complete key fire and security improvements!
Cheques should be made payable to: All Saints Church Restoration Appeal and be sent 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%. Thank you!

ALL SAINTS SUPPORT for HOMELESS PEOPLE

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 provided the funds for one of the 4 beds – provides a safe haven and refuge for women escaping domestic violence, financial crisis, sexual exploitation and mental health issues.

Seasonal Appeals – Last year we donated £2,790 to this Mission Project, collected through the All Saints Festival and Lent Appeals. The PCC approved support of £3,000 for 2014.  

Year Round Support – we also support the 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 during Refurbishment until January 2015
(Church open Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday only from 7am to 7pm)
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 in the Parish Room
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. During the refurbishment works, confessions will be heard Monday – Friday in the Oratory at 7 Margaret Street. Please ring the bell
at the Vicarage or Parish Office doors for admittance.  

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