Weekly Email – All Saints' Festival
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Dear friends,
It is with great joy and gratitude that I write to bring you up to date with the final results of our Music Fundraising Campaign which comes to a close this weekend.
A very impressive number of donations and gifts have come in over the past few days as part of our Festival Appeal, along with the proceeds of last night’s gala dinner.
I can now reveal that the total we have raised over the past year was announced last night by Bishop Jonathan at our Gala Fundraising Dinner and is £1,036,289.39. This is a remarkable achievement!
The appeal began last November on All Saints’ Day with the intention of raising £1 million over the course of twelve months. This was part of a larger aspiration to raise a further £1 million over the next ten years so that by 2035 we had added an extra £2 million to the endowment that pays for music at All Saints’.
The goal we set ourselves last November was a very challenging one, but I am pleased to see that God has blessed our efforts. I hope our whole parish family feels very proud of what we have managed to do together, and that we give thanks to God over this Festival weekend for the spirit of generosity he has prompted in so many hearts.
I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has been involved in any way in this campaign: to those who have given generously of their resources; to those who organised events; to our choir and musicians for all the fundraising concerts and performances they have given; to our U.S. Friends and supporters who have contributed from far and wide; to those who have enrolled as Music Patrons in order to give regularly each month to our Music Trust; and to all those in our parish office, our churchwardens and treasurer, Music Fund trustees, and all our coordinators of hospitality and welcome.
As I give thanks for reaching our fundraising goal, I am struck by how much was achieved by a wide number of people coming together to give according to their circumstances and talents.
A huge range of events and ways of giving have meant hundreds of people have contributed to this success: from people who give regularly each month as Music Patrons; to people who have made substantial one-off donations; to all those who have attended concerts and fundraising events; and finally to people who have shown generosity to All Saints’ after their death by remembering us in their wills.
Adding an extra £1 million to our Music Trust, along with careful shifts in our investment policy which have also been going on through the year to achieve higher returns should mean that the income from our Choir and Music Trust Fund will increase by £40,000-£50,000 next year. This nearly doubles the income we now receive per annum for music.
When one looks at where the sums we raised came from, it is clear that legacies have played a hugely important role. Nearly two thirds of the total comes from three very significant legacies left by Biddy Baxter, Doris Sanders, and Jack de Gruiter, for which we are very grateful indeed.
This should prompt us all to remember to mention All Saints’ in our wills and, if possible, to leave a bequest to the Choir and Music Trust.
It is also very clear that support from the wider family of Friends of All Saints’ has played a crucial role, especially our U.S. Friends. A total of around £160,000 came from our US dollar account over the past year. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who contributed from America. These were amongst some of our most substantial donations. We are hugely grateful. Plans are already afoot to organise another Friends event in the United States at some point in the next 18 months.
The power of giving regularly over the long term has been proved by the number of people who have so kindly signed up as Music Patrons of All Saints’. We now receive around £1,500 a month in regular donations, which is £18,000 a year. This will contribute £180,000 over ten years to the Choir and Music Trust. I hope the number of people giving regularly in this way will continue to grow.
One of the most important characters of this campaign has, for me, been how interesting and exciting it has been to explore our musical heritage and to hear such terrific music over the past year.
I am so grateful to all our choir for all they contributed to concerts offered in aid of this appeal, and especially to our Director of Music Dr Stevie Farr, and our former Associate Director of Music Jeremiah Stephenson for their individual concerts.
Huge thanks should also go to the many speakers who came over the year to explore different aspects of our musical history: from well-known individuals like Archbishop Rowan Williams, and Andrew and Julian Lloyd-Webber; to prestigious academics such as Professors Geoffrey Norris and Iain Quinn.
As this appeal comes to a close, let us raise our hearts in gratitude to the Lord and thank him for all that he has brought about in our midst.
Let us pray especially for all those who contribute to the musical life of our parish, that the precious tradition of which we are custodians might flourish and be strengthened for generations to come.
With many thanks and prayers,
Fr Peter
Thank you and many congratulations Quentin!
This Sunday marks Quentin Williams’ retirement from our serving team upon his 75th birthday. Not only do we wish him many happy returns of the day, but we thank him for his sterling service in the sanctuary at All Saints’ over many years. There will be a short presentation at the end of the High Mass to thank Quentin for all he has done for our parish.
We are grateful to James Sherwood and Fr Alan Moses for speaking at last Sunday’s tribute to Harry Bramma at the end of Evensong.
Restored chancel gates
You will have noticed that the chancel gates have been returned to All Saints’ after a through restoration and repair. They look magnificent. Do take time to have a good look at them and how skilled the work is which has taken place.
They have been restored with funds given by Jack de Gruiter, and so will be rededicated on Sunday by Bishop Jonathan in Jack’s memory.
We are grateful to James Sherwood and Fr Alan Moses for speaking at last Sunday’s tribute to Harry Bramma at the end of Evensong.
Eve of All Saints’
Please note a few minor changes to the timings of our services tomorrow (31st October) as we celebrate All Saints’ Day. In particular, our Saturday Vigil Mass will take place at 5.15 pm as it will be followed at 6.30 pm by First Evensong and Benediction of All Saints’ Day. Confessions will be heard at 4.30 pm.
Our preacher last Sunday was Petter Kringberg, ordinand on placement at All Saints’. You can watch the liturgy again here.
All Saintstide Festival Appeal
Our Festival Appeal this year forms part of our Choir and Music Trust Fund Appeal. You can still give to All Saints’ over the All Saints’ Festival weekend. Please give generously. You can make a donation here.
Drinks after Evensong last Sunday offered in memory of Harry Bramma.
Remembrance Sunday
The High Mass on Sunday 8th November will be a Solemn Requiem offered for the repose of the souls of the War Dead, and will include an Act of Remembrance.
Please note, therefore, that the liturgy will begin five minutes earlier than usual, at 10.55 am so we are gathered in time for the Two Minutes’ Silence at 11.00 am.
Please make an effort to arrive at church earlier than usual so that the silence and Act of Remembrance is not disturbed by people arriving late.
Drinks after Evensong last Sunday offered in memory of Harry Bramma.
Homeless Shelter Volunteering
Each winter, we seek to show the love of God for our neighbour by staffing the nearby over-night homeless shelter at the American Church on Tottenham Church Road.
We now have the dates of the shelters which All Saints’ will be running:
11th – 12th November 2026
16th – 17th December 2026
13th – 14th January 2027
17th – 18th February 2027
10th – 11th March 2027
For each evening, we need a team lead to oversee the smooth running of the evening, a kitchen lead to cook, five other helpers, and a male and female overnighter. The following morning, we need a team lead and three further volunteers to run breakfast.
There are lots of different ways of taking part, and you don’t need any particular experience: making beds; preparing food; offering welcome; and helping to create a safe and hospitable space. If you would like to volunteer, please be in touch with Fr Alan (assistantpriest@asms.uk).
Drinks after Evensong last Sunday offered in memory of Harry Bramma.
Attendance last Sunday
Flowers
The flowers for All Saints’ Day are given by Charlotte Black.
The flowers for All Soul’s Day are given by Martin Hime, in memory of his father Alan, whose anniversary of death falls on All Souls’ Day.
If you would like to make a donation for flowers for Remembrance Sunday, or the courtyard garden, please contact Shawn directly or via the office.
Drinks after Evensong last Sunday offered in memory of Harry Bramma.
For your prayers
The Friends of All Saints Margaret Street
2nd – Carolyn Farrar, Dr Martin Faulkner, Sue Feakin, Adrian Felaar, Daniel Fielden, Janice Fielden, Julia Fielden, Nigel Fisher, Mark Fleming
3rd – Stuart Fletcher, Christopher Forman, Daniel Formston, Derrick French, Jason Frost, Carole and Christopher Gabriel, Revd Canon Graham Holcombe, R. Alan Kimbrough, Amanda Miller
4th – Derek and Cecilia Gatherer, Dr Rebecca Gibbs and Sam Wildy, Margaret Goddard, Paul Golding, John Goldsmith, Genevieve Gomi, Fr Michael Gudgeon, Sheelagh Gudgeon
5th – Monica Joan Hall, Paul Hannah, Jillian Hargreaves, Julie Harland, Christopher Harlow-Jennings, Patrick Hartley and Rebecca Hirst, Fr Jeremy Haselock, Sandra Hill, Timothy Hill, Martin Hime
6th – Fr David Hobden, Edwin Holmes, Rosy Holt, Elizabeth Hunter, Fr David Hutt, Andrew Jervis, Powell Johann, Frau Dr Christiane Loidl-Rainey and Simon Rainey KC, Stephen Jury
7th – Stanislav Kudryashov, Christopher Laws, Katherine Lee, Margaret Leggett, Cornelius Logue, Nigel Lynn, Henry Macey, Hilary Rodger
The sick
Jean Castledine; Estelle Choley; David Craig; Fr Luke Demetri ; Ingrid Slaughter; Juliet Windham.
Recently departed
Danny Mather
Anniversaries of death
1st – Bernard Dawson, Jane Pollard, Cecil Mead, Carol Searles, Janet Reid
2nd – Harold Wilson Pr
3rd – Gilbert Pickering
4th – Jack Fallon, Rosemary Crawley
5th – Helen St Aubyn, Curtis Berk, Daphne Gordon, Terence Duggan, Glyn Thomas, Rosemary Crome
6th – Philip Gould
7th – Constance Peters
Services this week
Saturday 31st October – EVE OF ALL SAINTS’
12 pm Low Mass
4.30 pm Confessions
5.15 Vigil Mass of All Saints’
6.30 pm First Evensong of All Saints’
Sunday 1st November – ALL SAINTS’ DAY
8.30 am Low Mass
11 am High Mass
5.15 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Solemn Evensong and Benediction with Te Deum
Monday 2nd November – ALL SOULS DAY
12 pm Low Mass of Requiem
6.30 pm High Mass of Requiem
Tuesday 3rd November – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Wednesday 4th November – St Charles Borromeo
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Thursday 5th November – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Friday 6th November – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Low Mass
Saturday 7th November – Feria
12 pm Low Mass
6.30 pm Vigil Mass of Sunday
Sunday 8th November – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
8.30 am Low Mass
10.55 am Act of Remembrance and High Mass of Requiem
5.15 pm Low Mass
6.00 pm Solemn Evensong and Benediction