All Saints Margaret Street.

Dear friends,

The beautiful feast of the Epiphany will soon be upon us and offers much to ponder as we continue to celebrate the mystery of the Word made flesh.

The Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Wise Men to worship the Christ Child, but in so doing, the feast also signals the universality of the salvation that child is destined to bring – a salvation that will encompass all peoples, all cultures, and all times, represented by the Magi.

To celebrate the deep riches of this feast, our Epiphany Carol Service with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place this Sunday at 6.00 pm as a theological “warm up” for the High Mass on the actual feast day on Tuesday 6th January at 6.30 pm.

In that Carol Service, we will explore in hymnody and music the series of ways in which the Lord is revealed to us in this holy season through the readings set in the lectionary for January: principally in the visit by the Magi; but also in other narratives associated with this season such as his Baptism in the Jordan, and in his first miracle performed at Cana, changing water into wine.

I am very pleased that we will hear at our Carol Service a new piece of music, recently commissioned by All Saints’ parishioner Colin Podmore. The anthem is called Hodie Caelesti Sponso and was written to mark Colin’s year as Master of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks (2024-25).

It was first performed at the Company’s Epiphany Evensong in the Church of St Martin Ludgate last year on 15 January 2025. I am grateful to Colin for the gift of a full set of music copies to the parish choir library so this piece of music can now enter our repertoire.

The composer is Prof. Paul Mealor LVO, whose many compositions include ‘Ubi caritas et amor’ (for the wedding of the now Prince and Princess of Wales in 2012) and the Welsh Kyrie Eleison sung by Sir Bryn Terfel at the Coronation.

The text used is the ancient antiphon sung before and after the Benedictus at Lauds on the Feast of the Epiphany (6 January) and on the Octave day of the Epiphany (13 January):

“Hodie caelesti sponso iuncta est Ecclesia,
quoniam in Iordane lavit Christus eius crimina:
currunt cum muneribus Magi ad regales nuptias,
et ex aqua facto vino laetantur convivae, alleluia.”

[Today the Church is joined to her heavenly Bridegroom,
for in the Jordan Christ has washed away her sins:
the wise men hasten with gifts to the royal nuptials,
and with wine made from water the guests are gladdened, alleluia.]

Of these three epiphanies mentioned in the antiphon, the Baptism of Christ was actually most anciently commemorated on 6 January – in Egypt, by the late second or early third century. Only later were the Wedding at Cana and, later still, the visit of the Wise Men added. This is why the first epiphany to be mentioned in this antiphon is the Lord’s Baptism.

It was only when celebration of 6 January spread to the West, that the Epiphany Mass in Rome became focussed on the visit of the Magi.

The nuptial imagery in this ancient antiphon is also striking, and is probably of Syrian origin. Many Syrian texts focussed on the Baptism of Christ speak of Christ himself washing the Church so that he may be espoused to her as a spotless bride.

The Epiphany antiphon used in Hodie Caelesti Sponso emerged in Rome in the 8th Century, at precisely the time when there was a Pope of Syrian origin, Gregory III (731-741). It may be he who was responsible for bringing this distinct theological emphasis from Syria to Rome.

I look forward to hearing on Sunday this fascinating new piece, Hodie Caelesti Sponso. It will be a wonderful opportunity to ponder the theological meaning of this season using words and texts that reach back to the earliest Christian centuries.

Do join us on Sunday evening, and also on Tuesday evening for our High Mass of the feast day of the Epiphany itself – and let us, with the Magi, hasten to find and worship the Christ Child!

Fr Peter

American Friends of All Saints’

There will be a drinks party held on Friday 20th March 2026 at the House of the Redeemer, New York City at 6.30 pm to celebrate the contribution to our parish’s life made by the American Friends of All Saints’, Margaret Street.

We hope this special occasion will be an opportunity for American Friends who live in or near New York to re-connect with All Saints’ and for us to thank our American benefactors for their support. Both Fr Alan and Fr Peter will be present.

This drinks party will be proceeded by a Mass celebrated by Fr in the Chapel of the House of the Redeemer at 6.00 pm, giving thanks for the life of All Saints’, for any who wish to attend.

f you live anywhere near New York City, do put this event on Friday 20th March in your diaries and come and see us. It will be wonderful to see new friends and old. You can book a ticket for the event via Eventbrite here.

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  

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.

Our Parish’s Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Christmas Attendance

For your prayers

The Friends of All Saints, Margaret Street

The sick

Jean Castledine, David Craig, Edward Burns, Asuncion Ginés, Pat Hawkins, Fr Harry Hodgetts, Christopher Frey, Daniel Oliver, Verena Reisinger, James Rodger, Ingrid Slaughter, Juliet Windham

The recently departed

Peter Roberts Pr

Anniversaries of death