All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friend,

Lent 1

Three times in today’s gospel, the devil tests Jesus, who has been led to the wilderness by the Spirit. This happens to us all. This wilderness is more than a physical desert: it is also a spiritual wilderness, a place in which the Spirit (who has put Jesus there) is lost sight of, leading to temptations by someone called the devil (perhaps the voice who fills the vacuum when the Spirit is ignored or forgotten). These are the times at which we think worst of ourselves, and are most given to despair and moving in the wrong direction, times of abandonment, real or perceived, often experienced in a deep and insomniac night – ‘night thoughts’.

The logic of the story is clear enough. Three times the devil tests Jesus, by using proof texts from scripture (fundamentalists beware: isolated biblical texts are here firmly shown to be a source of misinformation); he tests him by asking him to seize power to be used for his own personal benefit. And three times Jesus chooses to serve not himself but God. He is offered the possibility of getting to Jerusalem and glory by a tempting short-cut, which comes without cost; or he may get there, conforming to God’s will by the way of the cross. And at this season we recall how he chose the way of the cross and seek to understand what that might mean for us.

We use this season to review and revitalise our regular patterns of prayer and Mass attendance. Traditional exercises, such as the Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings in Lent, additional and spiritual and devotional reading and a renewed commitment to making our confession or receiving spiritual direction, are tried and tested aids to the life of faith on which we focus in this season. Lent offers us the opportunity to reasses our practice of the faith in the light of the Easter glory promised to us by God. It does so above all by inviting us to a renewed commitment to the practice of our faith:  we will build a deep and lasting relationship with God, as with anyone, in the careful and consistent performance of our duties and obligations rather than the fervent protestations of our love. This may sometimes feel unexciting, lacking the passionate excitement of more populist expressions of faith, but it will bring joy, Easter joy, that endures.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael Bowie
Assistant Priest
All Saints Margaret Street 

Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers:  Asia Bibi, Paul Curno, Jack De Gruiter, David Evans, Gwyneth Hopkins, Bishop Michael Perham, Andy Steenhoff, Roy Jenkins, Melanie Stimmler, Bill Rodger, Alix Bainbridge-Spring, Carol Naismith, Fr John Wheeler and Wolfgang Shröder.  

For the recently departed:  Myrtle Hughes (whose Funeral takes place at St Nicholas, Harpenden on Monday 27 February and for whom a sung Requiem Mass (Mozart Missa Brevis in F) is planned at noon at All Saints on Saturday 18 March followed by refreshments), John Salt OGS (Bishop), Victoria Nettie and Ian Searle.

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose

year’s mind occurs this week including:

George Frederick Holden, 4^th Vicar of All Saints, Gwen Ogilvie, Alice Sutton, Phyllis Wickner, Brigid Beattie-Moriarty, George Gorse, Hope Harris, John Cook, Arthur Smallwood, Alice Styan, Dorothy Gregory, Deenis Cooper (Priest), Charles Mills, Rosie Bullock, Peter Harding (one time Vicar of St Cyprians & former Area Dean Westminster) and Clark Vaugham.

For full service information: www.allsaintsmargaretstreet.org.uk. 

WORSHIP THIS WEEK: 

SUNDAY 5 MARCH
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Mass in four parts – Byrd
Ne irascaris Domine – Byrd

There is no Sunday Lunch service this week.

EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm

Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Second service – Tomkins
O Lord, in thy wrath – Gibbons

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Friday 10 March 7pm (after Evening Mass) – Stations of the Cross. Organist: Quentin Williams.

Saturday 11 March 11.30am ROSARY AND WALSINGHAM DEVOTIONS before 12 Noon MASS 

SUNDAY 12 MARCH
HIGH MASS, 11am
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Missa Capella – Lotti 
Resplenduit facies ejus (in Transfiguratione Domini) – Victoria

Sunday Lunch will be available – Robin Clutterham will serve a main course and dessert with coffee to follow.  30 tickets at £5 on sale from the All Saints Shop in the Parish Room before and again after Mass.

EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie 
Short Service – Weelkes 
Emendemus in melius – Byrd 

7.15pm (after Benediction)
ORGAN RECITAL – Timothy Byram-Wigfield, Director of Music
Programme:
Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV 161 – Dietrich Buxtehude

From the Third Clavierübung (German Organ Mass), published 1739 – J.S.Bach
a) Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot’ (These are the hallowed Ten Commandments), BWV 678 and BWV 679

b) Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir (Out of the depths I cry to Thee, O Lord), BWV 686 and BWV 687

Choral No. 2 in B minor – César Franck
Entry is free, but we invite you to make a retiring donation (recommended £5) to support the Choir and Music at All Saints. The All Saints Licensed Club/Bar will be open after the recital. 

PARISH NOTICES & NEWS 

REVISION OF THE ALL SAINTS’ ELECTORAL ROLL
The Electoral Roll has to be revised before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on Sunday 2 April 2017. Inclusion on the Roll is the qualification to attend, participate and vote at the Meeting, or to be nominated for office. The Roll will be closed for revision between Wednesday 8 and Thursday 16 March. No further entries may be made to the Roll between 9 March and the close of the APCM.

MYRTLE HUGHES RIP – for many decades a regular worshipper at and good friend of All Saints (and stalwart helper of Chris Auton in the Parish Shop) , Myrtle’s Funeral was held on Monday 27 February at her request at her local church – St Nicholas, Harpenden – where she worked in the Parish Office for many years. The Eulogy will appear in the April Parish Paper. A sung Requiem Mass (Mozart Missa Brevis in F) will be held for Myrtle at All Saints at 12 noon on Saturday 18 March and we hope that many people will want to attend. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR CHURCH WATCHERS & SIDESPEOPLE
If you have not yet responded to the Vicar’s invitation and let the Parish Office know which of Tuesday 7 March, 2.30pm or Sunday 12 March Post Mass briefings you can attend (or that you can’t make either in which case we will provide you a briefing note), please would you do that as soon as possible – email: astsmgtst@aol.com or Tel: 020 7 636 1788. Thank you!

LENT READING GROUP FRIDAY MORNINGS AND TUESDAY EVENINGS
Tuesdays 7pm and Fridays 11am – both in the Parish Room (from 28 February). We are studying Bishop Rowan Williams’ book Being Disciples. While not specifically designed as a Lent Book, it has a conveniently Lenten six chapters entitled: Being Disciples; Faith, Hope and Love; Forgiveness; Holiness; Faith in Society and Life in the Spirit. Sunday evening sermons in Lent will also be related to these themes.  

THE WAY OF THE CROSS 
The devotion of Stations of the Cross will take place after the Evening Mass at 7pm on Fridays during Lent starting on Friday 3 March. Organist: Quentin Williams.

CELL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM EVENT
On Thursday, 16 March 2017 Fr Pascal Boisin S.M., Rector of Notre Dame de France R.C. Church in Leicester Square will be the visiting speaker, giving a Talk about the Marist Order. A Low Mass with Hymns at 6.30pm will be followed by the talk and light refreshments will be served. This is an ecumenical event and all are welcome.

Sunday 26 March – MOTHERING SUNDAY
On this Sunday, the midpoint in Lent, Clocks go forward one hour.  

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 a total of £8,335 (including the funds generated by the Queen’s 90^th 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.

PARISH RETREAT – 19 – 21 May 2017 
The 2017 parish 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.  

BEYOND ALL SAINTS and of interest…

Saturday 4 March, 3pm – ST CYPRIAN’S – Choral Evening Prayer & Benediction – Officiant: Fr Gerald Beauchamp, Director of Music: Julian Collings. Refreshments follow

Richard Chartres Fund for London Launch
To mark Bishop Richard’s retirement, the Diocese of London has launched this special fund to support work towards the 2020 Capital Vision goals in London, described by the Bishop as: ‘a city where we hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil but strengthen the fainthearted and afflicted, honouring everyone and rejoicing in the love of God and the energy of the Holy Spirit’.

To find out more about this new initiative, please go to: www.london.anglican.org/rcf4l 

HUGH PRICE HUGHES 2017 LECTURES – “Speaking of God in Public” 
All lectures at Hinde St Methodist Church, London W1. Admission free. All welcome. 

Tuesday 14 March, 7.30pm – God, Public Life and Privacy
Ruth Gledhill [who has been writing and sometimes speaking of God in public life for three decades. She started on The Times in 1987 and three years ago, moved to Christian Today].

Tuesday 4th 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].

** 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 7.30am
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