All Saints Parish Newsletter 31st March 2017
Dear Friend,
Lent 5
In the first reading on Sunday we hear from Ezekiel, who has gone into exile with his people in the sixth century BC. He feels the despair and disgrace of it with them. The people say, ‘our bones are dried up and we have no hope’: a powerful image in a desert land. God seems absent. They have been cut off at the roots from where they belong; they are withering and dying. Can dead things live again?
Ezekiel preaches his powerful vision of what seems a glorious impossible hope: God’s animating spirit enlivening death itself. God’s breath (Hebrew ruah, meaning wind, spirit, breath – that which brooded over the waters in Genesis 1), this spirit enters the dry bones and brings them to life. Remember in Genesis 2.7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
What is impossible for hopeless humanity to imagine is for God just breathing out, a simple exhalation. Where God breathes, life springs up. This ‘life-giving’ is God’s nature. Ezekiel’s vision of a desecrated valley restored and cleansed (death makes a place unclean, remember), provides a powerful foreshadowing of what God accomplishes with another set of lifeless bones in Palestine, a powerful pointer to that flipping over from death into life to which Lent inexorably leads us, the glorious Easter horizon. It has also served as a powerful encouragement in many generations to any of us who lose hope, who feel, on our worst days, that we are part of the walking dead. As we approach Holy Week and Easter let us pray for renewal in our own lives and the life of the Church.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Michael Bowie
Assistant Priest
All Saints Margaret Street
Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Asia Bibi, Doris Sanders, Rodney Bickerstaffe, Andrew Evans, Tony Hawkins, Jan Williams, Paul Curno, Adrian Davis, Sally Bower, Gwyneth Hopkins, Bishop Michael Perham, Roy Jenkins, Melanie Stimmler, Bill Rodger, Jenna Stanbrook, Wolfgang Shröder, Joy Wright and Christine Vaughan-Lillie.
For the recently departed: Victoria Nettey (whose Funeral takes place on 31 March), Joan Wicken and PC Keith Palmer and the other victims of the Westminster terrorist attack 22 March 2017.
Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week including: Sister Mary Estelle (ASSP), Grace Trembath, John Gaskell (Snr), Beryl Harding, Patrick Scott, Elizabeth Usherwood, Margaret Roche, Christopher Ryan, Stanley Eley (Bishop and former Curate of All Saints), Peggy Monk, Margaret Leech, Leonard Neville, Muriel Vickery, Richard Davall, Minnie Webb, Olive Routledge and Evelyn Light.
For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK:
TODAY – Friday 31 March 7pm (after Evening Mass)
STATIONS OF THE CROSS. Organist: Quentin Williams.
SUNDAY 2 APRIL – PASSION SUNDAY
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Missa Pange lingua – Josquin des Prez
Timor et tremor – Poulenc
There is no Sunday Lunch this week due to the
MEETING OF PARISHIONERS AND ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING (APCM)
SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017, 12.45pm
Please see the Noticeboard in the Courtyard or in the porch. Papers for the meetings, including statements from all candidates for Churchwarden; Deanery Synod and PCC submitted by 22 March are NOW available on the table in Church. Nominations may still be made for PCC and Deanery Synod representatives until and at the meeting. Nominations for Churchwardens must be made in advance and may NOT be made at the meeting.
After the APCM – if you do not wish to keep your meeting papers, there will be a box for recycling and the treasury tags will be reused.
PASSIONTIDE SEQUENCE of READINGS & MUSIC, 6pm – Including the Palestrina Stabat Mater alongside settings by Byrd, Tchaikovsky, Poulenc and Martin.
WORSHIP NEXT WEEK
Saturday 8 April, 11.30am Walsingham Cell Rosary and 12 noon Mass. All welcome.
HOLY WEEK and EASTER 2017
Preacher: Fr Jim Walters, Chaplain London School of Economics
PALM SUNDAY, 9 April –
LITURGY OF PALMS 10.45am in Market Place & HIGH MASS, All Saints, 11am
Preacher: Fr Jim Walters, Chaplain LSE
Missa Octo vocum – Hassler
Hosanna to the Son of David – Weelkes
EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Service in five parts – Weelkes
Versa est in luctum – Lobo
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – 6.30pm Mass with Homily
Wednesday 12 April, 7.30pm TENEBRAE for Maundy Thursday
MAUNDY THURSDAY, 13 April, 6.30pm
HIGH MASS of the Lord’s Supper with foot washing and watching at the Altar of Repose
GOOD FRIDAY, 14 April
12 noon The Preaching of the Passion
1 – 3pm The Solemn Liturgy of the Passion
6.30pm Stations of the Cross
HOLY SATURDAY, 15 April
12 noon Liturgy of the Day
9pm HIGH MASS of the Easter Vigil by candlelight
EASTER DAY, Sunday 16 April 11am
Procession, Blessing of the Easter Garden and HIGH MASS Preacher: Fr Jim Walters, Chaplain LSE
6pm FESTAL EVENSONG, Te Deum and Benediction Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
PARISH NOTICES & NEWS
CALL FOR STEWARDS FOR PALM SUNDAY
We are required by law to supply Stewards for our Palm Sunday Procession, in order that it may go ahead – training will be given. Please offer your services to Cedric Stephens after Mass or Evensong on Sundays 2 April or phone him: 020 7 637 7468.
LEATHER HANDBAG AND ACCESSORIES SAMPLE SALE Thursday 6 April, 9am-7pm
All Saints’ Parish Room – Leather handbags from £20 and small leather accessories from £5. CASH & CARD payments taken. Please Note: The room hire for this event goes towards the expenses of running the Church – good value purchases to be made – please support this sale or tell your friends. All welcome.
HOLY WEEK CONFESSIONS
Monday 10, Tuesday 11 April, 12 – 1pm and 5 – 6pm
Wednesday 12 April, 12 – 1pm and 5 – 5.45pm
Maundy Thursday13 April, 5 – 6pm
MAUNDY THURSDAY WATCH OF THE PASSION
Please sign the sheet of hours on the lectern in the Baptistery if you can commit to keeping the Watch at a particular time.
ALL SAINTS LENT APPEAL 2017
Our Lenten almsgiving is directed to support our regular Mission Projects (USPG and the Marylebone Project), the Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal 2017 and the Soup Kitchen at the American Church and is made up of collections gathered at the services of Tenebrae and Good Friday along with the contents of individual Lent boxes. The proceeds will be shared between the four charities (please pick up a Lent Appeal Information pack in a white envelope at the door of Church):
1. Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal 2017 – Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow – is on behalf of ALMA, the Diocesan Partnership with Angola and Mozambique.
The economic situation in both Angola and Mozambique is severe with oil prices falling and currency devaluations. When coupled with the long-lasting drought that both countries are experiencing and also the political insecurity in Mozambique it is hard for our partners to find funds for their larger projects. We will be joining in with the three educational priorities that they have identified as critical for the future of the church:
Angola: is increasing the number of classrooms in its church schools to meet the huge need for school places and to meet new government requirements, ensuring a continuing Christian presence.
Lebombo (Southern Mozambique): is initiating a significant project to create a new accredited seminary outside Maputo to train the next generation of church leaders.
Niassa (Northern Mozambique): is building a church training hub with accommodation in Nampula for the huge Lurio region – to be used for training locally ordained priests, lay leaders, Mothers’ Union, community development fieldworkers and teams.
These are ‘church’ projects which would find it difficult to attract other funding.
2. USPG – supporting the church in Zimbabwe working with those affected by HIV and AIDS and the stigma associated with these conditions, providing local clergy and lay leaders with skills and training.
3. The Marylebone Project (Homeless Women’s Centre) in London NW1– where our money goes towards providing one of the emergency beds.
4. The Soup Kitchen run by the American Church, Tottenham Court Road – addressing food poverty – one of the most pressing issues in London and the UK today, assisting people from 25 to over 80; from all backgrounds, from several ethnic groups, and many struggling with a variety of physical and mental problems – but all united by their need for a safe and welcoming community to be fed, heard and helped. One recently summed up what the Soup Kitchen means to him: ‘An oasis in the middle of homeless chaos.’ £5 provides bread for 1 day, £10 covers tea and coffee, £20 covers soup for 1 day – OR fruit – OR vegetables, £25 covers meat for 1 day, £100 covers all food and £300 covers all the Soup Kitchen’s (SK) running costs for 1 day.
The All Saints’ Lent Appeal in 2016 raised over £8,000 (including the funds generated by the Queen’s 90th birthday Raffle and applicable Gift Aid). Please give generously this year so we can try and raise more than in 2017. Cheques should be made payable to: Parochial Church All Saints. Please use a Gift Aid envelope wherever possible since it increases the value of your gift by 25% at no cost to you. Please try to return your donation to the Parish Office by Sunday 30 April for prompt counting and claiming of Gift Aid.
PARISH RETREAT, 19 – 21 MAY 2017
This year the Retreat will be from May 19-21 at Bishop Woodford House in Ely. It will be conducted by Fr Michael Bowie. If you want to come, or would like further information, please contact Martin Woolley on 07976275383 or at m.g.woolley@btinternet.com. Rooms will be allocated in the order in which bookings are received.
The WALSINGHAM NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE takes place on Monday 29 May. The preacher will be Padre Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, Preacher to the Papal Household. As in previous years, a coach will leave All Saints at 7.30 am. Please contact Ross Buchanan, Assistant Secretary to the Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham, ASMS Mob: 07905 863578 or email: ross.r.buchanan@btinternet.com. if you would like to book a place.
The ALL SAINTS PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM will take place from Friday 21 – Monday 24 July. Places are limited. So if you would like to book place and have not already done so or would like to know more, please also contact Ross Buchanan (details above) as soon as possible.
BEYOND ALL SAINTS and of interest…
HUGH PRICE HUGHES 2017 LECTURES – “Speaking of God in Public”
All lectures at Hinde St Methodist Church, London W1. Admission free. All welcome.
Tuesday 4 April, 7.30pm
Thought for the Day – Can God be broadcast in soundbites?
Revd Dr Jane Leach [regular contributor to Radio 4’s flagship Today programme].
Tuesday 9 May at 7.30pm
Which God? Which public?
Revd Gareth Powell [Secretary of the Methodist Conference]
Gareth will begin to explore these questions in the context of the Methodist Church in Britain today. What is our experience of God? Which “God” are we speaking about? In what context are we speaking, and to whom? What are the ‘points of contact’? And how, in the light of this, do we speak of God in public with confidence and imagination?
** MISSION NEWS**
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 are also beginning to need men’s outerwear of all varieties and we always need rucksacks and duffle-bags to help our guests carry their belongings!’
The Soup Kitchen team (only part-time) 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/
ALL SAINTS REGULAR MISSION PROJECTS:-
Marylebone Project – emergency refuge and rehoming project for homeless women.
Between our Lent and Festival Appeals, we raised £5,120 for them in 2016
USPG –work with those experiencing Aids and HIV in Zimbabwe.
Between our Lent and Festival Appeals, we raised £5,120 for them in 2016
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.
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. Thank you to everyone who contributes food and household essentials via the basket in Church or handed in to the Parish Office. Please continue to donate these so we can help more people in need.
Day-to-day Support – we respond to the needs of homeless people who visit the church allowing them to sleep there in the daytime and signposting them to other agencies who can offer help and donating a total of £3,454 in 2016 (a one off £1,000 and part of our Festival Appeal collection) towards the Soup Kitchen at the American International Church in Tottenham Court Road. We also allow 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 and as the cold weather starts to bite, please help us fund and support people in need through our Mission activities.
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 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 Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses: alanmoses111@gmail.com.
Or Assistant Priest Fr Michael Bowie: mnrbowie@gmail.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
EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION, 6pm.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
Morning Prayer 7.30am
Low Mass – 8am, 1.10pm and 6.30pm
Evening Prayer 6pm
(Except Bank Holidays – 12 noon Mass only)
SATURDAY
Morning Prayer 9am
Low Mass – 12 noon and 6.30pm (First Mass of Sunday)
Evening Prayer 6pm
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.)
www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk and e-mail: astsmgtst@aol.com