All Saints Parish Newsletter
Thursday 22 November 2012 at 23:39
CHRIST THE KING
Dear Friends,
I am not convinced that there are “winners” or “losers”, or that any group is victorious when another part of the church disagrees with, or suffers by being part of the greater body of Christ. However, only a couple of months ago, I had a conversation with Fr. Alan where I expressed my hunch that both sides discussing the ordination of women to the episcopate in Synod would fall and fail in their ambition for the church. I am sorry to say that in recent days, it looks as though that hunch was true. We look a mess, for one reason or another. Archbishop Rowan has been extremely frank in these last days, and the media and now Parliament are set to hold The Church of England to account as best as they think they can. Like the best of you, I am not sure I know an immediate solution to our present “woe”, but perhaps this coming feast on Sunday of Christ the King might give us a temporary ease from the despair and dissatisfaction we feel. It might refocus our mind on why we keep faith, than why we are bound by repetitive arguments about one thing or another.
I am not convinced that there are “winners” or “losers”, or that any group is victorious when another part of the church disagrees with, or suffers by being part of the greater body of Christ. However, only a couple of months ago, I had a conversation with Fr. Alan where I expressed my hunch that both sides discussing the ordination of women to the episcopate in Synod would fall and fail in their ambition for the church. I am sorry to say that in recent days, it looks as though that hunch was true. We look a mess, for one reason or another. Archbishop Rowan has been extremely frank in these last days, and the media and now Parliament are set to hold The Church of England to account as best as they think they can. Like the best of you, I am not sure I know an immediate solution to our present “woe”, but perhaps this coming feast on Sunday of Christ the King might give us a temporary ease from the despair and dissatisfaction we feel. It might refocus our mind on why we keep faith, than why we are bound by repetitive arguments about one thing or another.
Sunday’s Gospel John 18: 33-37 has within it, “Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” The Gospel we will hear on Sunday tells us that our Lord Jesus neither affirms nor denies his kingship, he allows others to testify to his authority, to who he is, to what is ultimately true. Pilate, clearly pressing for an answer in terms of kingship in “this world” misses the point of our Lord’s authority. Jesus refuses to give an answer, because he cannot give an outright “no” since, though his kingship is not “of this world” he has been sent “into this world”. Our Lord neither affirms nor denies, but we affirm, even subject to the law of this land, that we are wholly subject to the authority of Christ, being members one with another in his kingdom where he rules, and where we are to be obedient to him. This feast is perhaps a timely reminder that we are His and that whatever the rule of the church might look like in our generation, His rule is encompassing and liberating for all.
We very much look forward to seeing you on Sunday or soon,
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Fr. John
Please pray for Fr. Richard Eyre, Fr. Neil Share, Christopher Ryan, Malala Yousufzai, Peggy Leeman, Fr. David Jowitt, Michael Harris, Linda Orme, Mary Barnet, Sian Evans, Jackie Ferriter, Joshua Levy, Audrey Patterson, Celia Shore, Michael Sullivan, Rachel Clayton, Heather Walker, Richard Tann, Brian Sparkes, John Rogers, Mason Jacobson, Barbara Laws, Marguerite Crill, David Day, Timothy Montgomery, Timothy Harding, Andrew Tillyard, Finola Robinson, Stephen Finch, Jonathan Jennings.
The Recently Departed: Rosemarie Roberts, Betty Mills, Duncan Pingriff, Sibyl Webster, John Gant, Joan Cook, Gladys Carter, Graham Hawkes, Bp Kenneth Cragg at the anniversary of their death: Josephine Fletcher, Robert Walker, Ailsa Critchley, Ann Swanton, Henry West, Gladys Howard, Alys Purdon, Agnes Mackay, Mabel Egerton, Marjorie Gilley, May Beeken, Philip Burrage, Thomas Tomlinson, Priscilla Sedgewick, John Clayton, Barbara Morrissey, Thomas Ellis, Edith Martin, Margaret Mack, Charles Hawksley, James Crompton, Joseph Kirkham, Margaret Pickering, Annie Marshall, Doris Harmsworth, Lovinia Miller, John Clough.
Please pray for Fr. Ian Brothwood who has been appointed as the next Vicar of the Parish of St Michael and All Angels with St James Croydon. Fr. Ian will be Instituted by The Bishop of Southwark on Today – Friday 23rd November 2012 at 7.00pm. The Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Edmonton.
12:50pm talks on the Church Building:
On Sunday’s at 12:50pm for 10mins there will be a series of talks given by Fr. Alan and Fr. John. 25th November – The Pulpit. 2nd December – The Jesse Window. 9th December – The North Wall, The Old Testament. 16th December – The North Wall – The Nativity. Please come along prior to lunch for 10 minutes and hear an historical and theological perspective on our church building.
Saturday 24 Nov: 12 noon. Requiem Mass for Teresa Butler at All Saints
Monday 26th 2:30pm Graham Hawkes Funeral – High Mass of Requiem at All Saints.
Dr. Christopher Rawll –. Requiem Mass at All Saints on Saturday 1st December, 12noon.
ADVENT SUNDAY
On Advent Sunday Clive Wright will celebrate his 80th Birthday. To mark this occasion, Clive will be providing Wine and Cake after the Morning Mass. Many congratulations to Clive as he approaches this significant birthday.
Advent Carol Service
2nd December 6:00pm – All Saints Margaret Street
ADVENT COURSE 2012
There will be two courses running at All Saints Margaret Street this year.
DAYTIME ADVENT COURSE – Fr. Alan will lead a four week day-time course meeting at 11am on Thursday’s 29th November, 6th, 13th & 20th December at the Vicarage. This will be book based on Rowan William’s latest book, “The Lion’s World – A journey into the heart of Narnia.
EVENING ADVENT COURSE Fr. John will lead a four-week evening course, meeting at 7:00pm on Wednesday’s 28th November, 5th, 12th & 19th December at No.6 Margaret Street. This course will look at The Patriarchs, The Prophets, St John the Baptist and Our Lady each one will be explored through one of the following: Opera, Film (popcorn will be provided), prose and poetry. Please indicate to Fr. Alan and Fr. John if you wish to attend.
Carol Singing – Thursday 13 December
We are looking for a group of 20-25 people from the congregation of All Saints to go carol singing in The Plaza and the Oxford St. area between the north side of Oxford St., Great Portland St., Market Place and the church. We will be out for up to two hours between 6.45-8.30pm, spending the first 45-60 minutes in The Plaza. We will donate any money given us and collected in tins to local charities for the homeless in London. Please emailjohnapritchard@hotmail.co.uk to join in. Mulled wine and minced pies to follow…
Congratulations to Colin Podmore:
The General Synod has said farewell to Dr Colin Podmore, who will be standing down as Clerk to the Synod at Easter in order to take up a new post as Director of Forward in Faith in the UK. As many of you know, All Saints is not a Forward in Faith parish, but we recognise Colin’s gifts and congratulate him on this important national appointment. We pray for him and for our future together in the Church of England.
Congratulations to Aiden Hargreaves-Smith:
In addition to his role as Registrar of the Diocese in Europe, Aiden has recently been appointed Registrar of the Diocese of Chelmsford. He will be sworn in on Saturday, 19th January 2013 at Chelmsford Cathedral by the Bishop of Chelmsford, who will preside at the Eucharist. The service will start at 12.00 noon, and will be followed by a Reception. Everyone associated with All Saints’ is warmly invited to attend. It would be helpful if those intending to be present could ‘RSVP’ to Melanie Tucker on chelmsfordregistry@wslaw.co.uk or 020 7593 0353, not least to ensure that the wine does not run out (a reputational risk which Aiden would never be prepared to take!).