All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear Friend,

Looking at the readings for my first Sunday sermon after returning from holiday, I was amused to find that they began with God commanding Moses to go down from Mount Sinai because in his absence the people had abandoned the worship of the true God for a man-made idol: a golden calf (Exodus 32.7-14).  As I had left All Saints safely in Fr. Michael’s care, no golden calf had to be removed from the sanctuary on my return. 

This story is more than a quaint tale.  It is about the ‘original sin’ of the first people of God – the abandonment of the true worship to which the covenant at Sinai had bound them – and it has something to say to the people of God in every age.

Moses’ absence led the people to feel God’s absence too. So they make a god who feels closer and more comforting. We too can feel that God is far from us. The idols we make are not so obvious but just as real. We seek to bring down God from the mountain to our level, to tame the mysteriously other and make of him a household god who will respond to our need; a god who is there to comfort not to challenge. 

In the strange dialogue between God and Moses which follows, God expresses his intention to have done with this disobedient people. He will make a fresh start with Moses alone. 

But Moses, who has had to put up with a lot of discontent and grumbling from this people, does something unexpected.  He stands between them and the wrath of God to intercede for on their behalf. He even suggests, like a wily spin doctor advising a politician, that God’s image and reputation will suffer if he destroys the very people he had rescued.  He appeals to the promises God had made to the patriarchs, and we hear the God does indeed change his mind.

This story with God being persuaded to change his mind seems strange to us, but it reflects the tension between the divine mercy that forgives and God’s rule which will not be mocked.  The people are forgiven but that does not mean God’s commandments are set aside. Our idolatry can be to like a god who comforts us and who challenges other people; the ones we disapprove of or disagree with.

Moses interceding for the people reminds me of my duty to pray for those entrusted to my care. He should remind us all of our common calling in the royal priesthood of the Church to pray for those God has given into our care. 

On the mantelpiece in my study is an icon of the Good Shepherd carrying home the lost sheep (Sunday’s Gospel: Luke 15.1-10).  it is a reminder that our calling is not just to pray for the lost sheep but to go our and find them.  Pope Francis has spoken of the Church’s need for pastors who “smell of the sheep” and of a church not afraid to get dirty out in the streets, rather than remaining safe and clean in its sanctuaries.  We may not be able to see the golden calf enthroned among the candlesticks in our sanctuary, but that does not mean it is not there.

The epistle on Sunday comes from 1 Timothy – one of the “Pastoral Epistles.”  It was probably written not by Paul but by a disciple some time after his death, but our passage on Sunday (1.12-17)   echoes the apostle’s sense of conversion and commission in spite of his previous hostility to Christ and his disciples:  “I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.” 

We might hesitate to call ourselves the “foremost of sinners,” thinking it rather boastful.  We would prefer to think of ourselves as run-of-the mill offenders. But Christ’s patience, displayed in making Paul an example to potential believers, is just as capable of working through the mediocre and shabby, people like most of us, to show to others like us something of the mercy of God and the challenge of the gospel.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Alan Moses

Please pray for those who have asked for our prayers: Asia Bibi, Alixe Bainbridge-Spring,
Br. Michael OSB, James Cary-Elwes, Jean-Yves Darcel, Fr Andrew Davis, Canon Caroline Dick, Mark Dougly, Kate Down, Bill Edmunds, Maureen Fellows, David Fettke, Ghislain Hamelin, Lewis Harvey, Gwyneth Hopkins, Maria Keen, David Kennett, Raymond King, Andrew Laird, Tom Leader, Colin Menzies, Fr. Robert Norwood, José de Oliveira, Oliver Orr, David Pearce, Agnes Poitevin-Navarre, Canon John Rees, Barbara Reynolds, Bill Rodger, Bishop John Salt, Alma Sheard, Dorothy Skidmore, Stella and Helen Skinner, Rose Stephens,  Judy Stewart, Tony Tomlin, Christine van Dyck, Lynn Van Keulen, Robert Walmsley, Jenny Ward & Baby Emily and Joy Wright.

For the recently departed:  Cynthia Drury, Michael Hartley, Tom Tudor, Neil Johnson, Danus Skene, Sr Helen Columba, Geoffrey Hughes (All Saints Friend and Benefactor), Lily Caplin (whose Funeral Mass will take place on Monday 26 September at 2.30pm at All Saints), Gwen Fairchild and Will and Maria Henniker-Gotley (who died following the earthquake in Amatrice, Italy) and Miriam Nelson.

Remember past priests, benefactors, friends, and all whose year’s mind occurs this week including: 

Allan Yates, John Monk (former Server), Maurice Keen, James Shaw Lord Kilbrndon, Marion Pidgeon, DOM Bernard Clements (sixth Vicar of All Saints), Ronald Bickerton, Peggy MacMillan, Thomas Partridge, Augusta Kirby, Gwen Duckett, Richard Dinnis (Priest), Evelyn Hutt, Virginia Ambride, Flora Subbiah, Arthur Bourchier and Allan Duggan.

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

WORSHIP THIS WEEK:

SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, TRINITY 16
HIGH MASS, 11am

Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses

Missa O Quam gloriosum – Victoria

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel (Short Service) – Gibbons

There is no Sunday lunch service today.

EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: Fr Julian Browning
Canticles in E flat (No 2) – Wood
Save us, O Lord – Bairstow

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK:

SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER, TRINITY 17
HIGH MASS, 11am

Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie
Mass in G – Poulenc

Save us, O Lord – Bairstow

There is no Sunday lunch service today.

EVENSONG & BENEDICTION, 6pm
Preacher: The Vicar, Prebendary Alan Moses
Dyson in D
Totus tuus – Górecki

PARISH NOTICES 

FUNERAL MASS – LILY CAPLIN – this service will take place at All Saints on Monday 26 September at 2.30pm. Please pray for all of Lily’s family and for the repose of her soul. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

PARISH DAY CONFERENCE – Saturday 1^st October 2016 – DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER for catering/planning please. All members of the All Saints’ Electoral Roll have been invited and we have heard back from a good number of you – thank you. As this event is now only three weeks away, could we have your attendance confirmed or your apologies as soon as possible please for catering and other planning purposes. Please return the tear-off slip from your invitation to the Parish Office (by all means hand it in via a Churchwarden on a Sunday when you come to Church) or email: astsmgtst@aol.com labelling your email Saturday 1^st October. Anyone on the Electoral Roll is of course welcome to attend on the day, but it is helpful to have the numbers in advance.  Thank you.

PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY IN 2018

Fr Gerald Beauchamp and Fr Michael Bowie are planning a pilgrimage to Italy in May 2018. Ideas so far include Assisi and Loreto. There will be a meeting on Tuesday 18 October, 7.15pm in the All Saints Margaret Street Parish Room (off the courtyard) to look at possibilities. All welcome.
If you would like to come in 2018 but are unable to attend the meeting please register your interest with Fr Gerald (gerald.beauch@btconnect.com). Thank you.

** MISSION NEWS** In addition to items of clothing for women, accepted as always by our regular Mission Project – the Marylebone Project – we can now take men’s clothing which is badly needed by the Jesus Centre in Margaret Street, who provide a daily range of services to homeless people. As you prepare for the winter season, if you have men’s or women’s clothes to give away, please bring to Church and leave at the Parish Office so we can continue to help homeless women and also support our neighbour’s efforts predominantly with homeless men.

CELL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM – at All Saints you will find a new leaflet with details of 2016/17 events. You need not be a member of the Cell to join in these events. They are organised by the Cell members for all to join in as they wish.

Saturday 10 September 11.30am
WALSINGHAM DEVOTIONS followed by 12 NOON MASS at All Saints. All welcome.

JOHN LEWIS & WAITROSE ARTS & CRAFTS CLUB
EXHIBITION – All Saints’ Parish Room. Free Admission
Tuesday 13 –September – Sunday 2 October – open 12 – 6pm daily (Please Note – extended opening period this year). Arts and crafts exhibition with most works being available to purchase – including paintings, drawings, jewellery, sewn goods and cards – a good opportunity to select some early Christmas presents. Purchased art works can be collected after 6pm on Sunday 2 or on Monday 3 October, when the exhibition get-out will take place.

ALL SAINTS’ ORGAN RECITAL
Sunday 18 September, 7.15pm (following Evensong & Benediction)
CHARLES ANDREWS, Associate Director of Music, All Saints.
Programme includes works by Byrd, Howells, Pachelbel, Harris and Liszt.  Full programme on a leaflet in Church on the front table. Entry is free, with a retiring collection in aid of Choir & Music at All Saints (recommended donation £5). The Licensed Club/Bar is open after the recital.

SERVICES & EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2016 BEYOND ALL SAINTS

ST CYPRIAN’S FESTIVAL WEEKEND
St Cyprian’s Church, Glentworth Street, NW1 6AX

Thursday 15 September, 7.30pm High Mass

Preacher: Ven Luke Miller, Archdeacon of London

Friday 16 September, 6.30pm Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas performed by Francis Holland School

Saturday 17 September, 7pm Quiz Night – In a combined event, All Saints and St Cyprian’s annual mental challenge evening. Form a team of 6 people or join a team on the night. Price: £10 per person, to include light refreshments. Contact Chris Self: chris_self@btinternet.com or 020 7723 2938 for more details or to register your team.

Sunday 18 September, 10.30am Parish Mass – Celebrant: Father Michael Fuller

Mass setting: Dove Missa brevis and Motet: Howells – O pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

ST MARY’S BOURNE STREET TALKS 
One of London’s principal Anglo-Catholic churches, closely connected with the intellectual thought of the Catholic tradition in the Church of England, will be holding a number of lectures in memory of the distinguished personalities who were instrumental in the life of this church. On Thursday 22 September the talk will be by the Right Rev’d and Right Hon the Lord Williams of Oystermouth, former Archbishop of Canterbury on, when his topic will be, ‘The Malines Legacy: a vision for Anglican – Roman catholic dialogue? Admission is free and the lecture will be held in the church.

ST CYPRIAN’S Thursday 29 September 9pm – Compline
St Cyprian’s Church, Glentworth Street, NW1 6AX

Sunday 9 October, 3pm – POETRY TEA at PAMELA’S – Please bring poetry and prose relating to the topic of Autumn. If you would like to attend, please speak to Pamela or Sandra in the courtyard after Mass,or ring Sandra on 020 7 637 8456 and leave your name and phone number. Cost: £6 in aid of the All Saints Restoration Appeal.

ALL SAINTS MISSION ACTIVITIES:- 
The charities we had agreed to support through the Lent Appeal 2016 (and including applicable Gift Aid) received the following sums:-  

Marylebone Project – £2,666.67 – emergency refuge and rehoming project for homeless women. 
Us (formerly USPG) – £2,666.67 – work with those experiencing Aids and HIV in Zimbabwe.  
London Diocese Lent Appeal – £3,001.66– this year supporting Syrian and Iraqi refugees through charities Open Doors and Aid to the Church in Need.  Certificate of appreciation on the Church noticeboard. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this great achievement – a significantly enhanced total collected through the Lent Appeal compared with recent years – of £8,335 (including some late funds generated by the Queen’s 90^th Birthday Raffle). 

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.** NEWS**In addition to items for women accepted by the Marylebone Project, we can now take men’s clothing which is badly needed by the Jesus Centre in Margaret Street, who provide a daily range of services to homeless people.

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 donating £1,000 towards the Soup Kitchen at the American International Church in Tottenham Court Road this year. 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, 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