Weekly Email – Advent 2
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Dear friends,
It is with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement that I write to report the latest developments in our Music Trust Fund Appeal.
When I spoke a couple of weeks ago from the pulpit on Christ the King Sunday, I was able to report that we had raised the best part of £45,000 in our first month of efforts.
We have received an extraordinary series of exceptionally generous donations from a number of individuals and charities over the past week, amounting to an extra £51,000. This means the total raised after just five weeks now stands at £96,000.
This is an outstanding achievement, and I give thanks for the generosity so many people have shown in getting this year long appeal under way. Every penny donated will make a significant difference to our parish’s ability to preserve, grow and celebrate the musical and liturgical tradition for which All Saints’ is renowned. Many thanks indeed to everyone who has contributed in any way to this success.
The next event in our appeal programme is Jeremiah Stephenson’s Christmas Organ Concert on Friday 19th December at 7.00 pm. Do put this in your diaries and bring your friends. It will be a wonderful evening of festive music.
The programme includes: Dupré’s Variations sur un vieux Noël; plus improvisation on a series of well known and loved Christmas carols. Tickets are £15 each and you can book here.
I am very grateful indeed to Jeremiah for offering this concert in aid of our Music Appeal, and I look forward to a splendid evening of festive favourites!
Fr Peter
Christmas confessions
Priests will be available at the following times to hear confessions during Advent in preparation for Christmas:
Friday 12th Dec 2025: 5-6pm
Fr Paschal Worton & Fr Peter Anthony
Wednesday 17th Dec 2025: 5-6pm
Bishop Lindsay Urwin & Fr Alan Rimmer
Saturday 20th Dec 2025: 5-6pm
Fr Peter Anthony & Fr Alan Rimmer
Monday 22nd Dec 2025: 5-6pm
Fr Graeme Rowlands & Fr Alan Rimmer
Tuesday 23rd Dec 2025: 5-6pm
Fr David Houlding & Fr Peter Anthony
Wednesday 24th Dec 2025: 11am-12 noon
Fr Peter Anthony & Fr Alan Rimmer
Advent Carol Service last Sunday.
Carol services
A huge thank you goes to all those who helped with refreshments and welcome at the three external carol services we have hosted so far this week – Rugby School, St Mary’s School Calne, and the Diocesan School, Cape Town.
We still need volunteers to help with the carol services yet to come over the next fortnight or so. Please be in touch with Kate Hodgetts. Carol services will take place on 10, 11, 16, 18, and 19 December. Let Kate know if you are able to help on any of those days.
Huge thanks to all those who helped serve refreshments at the carol services we have hosted so far this week.
Christmas Liturgies 2025
Join the All Saints’ Music Patrons
Please consider taking out membership of our Music Patrons Scheme. This involves donating at least £10 a month to our Music and Choir Trust.
The Patrons Scheme continues to grow steadily. So far the number of Patrons has increased since we reported last to 19 people, contributing between them £630 per month. This equates to £7,560 per year (a total of £9,072 with Gift Aid).
To join the Music Patrons of All Saints’, simply set up a regular gift of at least £10 a month via this link. If you are an American tax payer, you can become a Music Patron by making a regular gift of at least $15 a month via our Chapel and York account here.
Advent Carol Service last Sunday.
Immaculate Conception of the BVM
There will be a Low Mass with short homily and hymns at 6.30pm, followed by refreshments at Fr Alan’s, to celebrate this solemnity. All welcome!
Benediction at the end of last Sunday’s Advent Carol Service.
Winter Night shelter volunteers
Please be in touch with Fr Alan if you are able to assist running the night shelter we help to staff on the Tottenham Court Road on January 7th/8th. The main shift is 6-9pm, and 7-9am for breakfast. Email: assistantpriest@asms.uk
Last Sunday’s Advent Carol Service.
Attendance last Sunday
Drinks in our parish bar last Sunday after the Advent Carol Service.
For your prayers
The Friends of All Saints Margaret Street
7th – Sandra Wheen, Matthew Whittaker, Tim Widdowfield, David Wilcox, T. Bradford Willis, Ian A. Wilson, Fr Michael Witcombe
8th – Martin Woods, Fr John Wylam, William Yale, Michael Young 9th Mark Allan, Martin Amherst-Lock, Robert Austen, Richard Ayling, James Babington Smith, Ruth Baker
10th – Stephen Baldwin, Stephen Barber, Nigel Beanland, Jonathan Beck, Dr William Benefield, William Bonnell, Charlotte Black, John Blackburn
11th – John Bristow, Paul Brough, Michael Brown, David Blunden, Fr Michael Bowie, Dr Graham Burns
12th – Derek Bussey, Katherine Butler, Maureen Cambrey, David Caplowe, David Cardona, Adrian Carlton-Oatley, Timothy Cassady, Norman and Zulette Catir, Kate Charles, Stuart Chillingworth, Robert Chote, Sandy Christian
13th – Roger Clark, Catharine Clarke, David & Mavis Cleggett, Graham Colville
The sick
Jean Castledine, David Craig, Edward Burns, Asuncion Ginés, Pat Hawkins, Fr Harry Hodgetts, Daniel Oliver, James Rodger, Ingrid Slaughter, Juliet Windham
Anniversaries of death
7th – Morgan Griffiths Pr, John Slater, Frances Lloyd, Zena Monk
8th – Maude Bull, Christine Bramma, Ines Baxter
10th – Marian Borton, Hamish Gray, Natalie Dyrnes, Daniel Thomas
11th – Amelia Jones, Alice Trevor, Annie Jevons, Roscow Shedden Bp, Margaret Butterworth, Guy Pritchard, Ros Tagoe
12th – James Burling, Chris Fairbairn, Richard Eyre Pr, Ian Stevens
13th – Mary Packer, David Vickery Pr, John Turner, Lindsey Boynton
Services
Saturday 6 December – St Nicholas
12 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Confessions
6.30 pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
Sunday 7 December – ADVENT II
8.30 am Low Mass
11 am High Mass
5.15 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Evensong and Benediction
Monday 8 December – THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
12 noon Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass with Hymns
Tuesday 9 December – Advent Feria
12 noon Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Wednesday 10 December – Advent Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm St Peter’s College, Oxford Carol Concert
Thursday 11 December – Advent Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Magdalen College, Oxford Lessons and Carols
Friday 12 December – Advent Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Saturday 13 December – St Lucy
12 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Confessions
6.30 pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
Sunday 14 December – ADVENT II (GAUDETE)
8.30 am Low Mass
11 am High Mass
5.15 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Evensong and Benediction