All Saints Parish Paper margaret street, london w.1

DECEMBER 2007 £1.00

VICAR’S LETTER churches. But Christmas is coming, so let’s be positive. Railway stations have played a considerable part in my life. We spent 3 years living A railway station is a place of departures next to Edinburgh’s Waverley Station and and arrivals. We embark on journeys and during that time spent a good deal of my arrive at destinations. Railway people call time travelling to and from London on what the track “the permanent way”. Scripture my children called the “bedtime train”. I speaks of the Christian life as “the Way”. much prefer railway stations, even if they It is a pilgrimage, a journey of faith. A can be cold and draughty, to airports which church is a place where people begin that tend to be rather soulless places. Euston journey, or a new stage of it, or come to station now looks like something trying to the terminus of a particular stage of their be an airport when it grows up. St Pancras, journey; perhaps the final stop in this life. for long the Cinderella of London’s great termini, with its magnificent Victorian neo- Just before Christmas I will be going to Gothic hotel standing empty and unloved, King’s Cross to meet my parents off their has undergone a renaissance to become the train from the north. Like a railway station, new terminal for Eurostar. I am already a church is a place of meeting, to which looking forward to beginning next year’s people often come saying that they have summer holiday in France from there. come home, that they have arrived. It is a place of meeting, of meeting with God, it The restored station includes a statue of a place of reunion after a long period of Sir John Betjeman — as a reminder that separation. without his efforts the place might well have been demolished. Simon Jenkins Railway stations are filled by an pointedly remarked that many of those who enormous variety of people; some confident are cheering its renovation would have regular travellers who know where they are been the same people who would have going. Others are nervous and unsure of happily seen it replaced by some concrete themselves, needing reassurance from staff monstrosity. One of the rôles of the newly or fellow-passengers that they are in the renovated station is to provide fast transport right place at the right time for their train. to the site of the Olympic Games; the cost There are students setting off to university of which has already drastically reduced for the first time. There are children wide- the amount of money available for the eyed with excitement at a journey which conservation of important buildings like is a great adventure. So too, churches

 have a mixture of folk. Some of us have which is for us an innovation; although been travelling a long time, others are just hardly novel in the wider Church. On beginning, or just nervously thinking about Monday December 7th at 6.00 p.m., setting out. Churches are places of new we will have a Festival of Nine Lessons beginnings, of the challenge of the Gospel and Carols with the choir. At this service and the adventure of the Christian life. we will launch the choir’s new recording of Christmas music. We will be inviting A railway station is at once both a people who live and work around us to the community and a place of anonymity with service. It will also be an opportunity for countless thousands of people just passing you to bring your friends and family to All through. So All Saints has both community, Saints. It will also provide a chance for the the people who staff it; and by that I mean not considerable portion of the congregation just the clergy but its regular congregation. who are not in London over Christmas to We are the people who have to ensure that enjoy something of our Christmas worship. the services start on time, that the dining car is well-provisioned, that people know One person who admits cheerfully to where to go. There are people who come to loving Christmas is our new assistant , us for a while and then move on; there are Fr Gerald Beauchamp. Fr Gerald comes those who pass through perhaps only once; to us with a wealth of experience and gifts. there are the regular travellers. A Londoner by birth, he was taken as a child to St Alban’s, Holborn. After training Christmas is of course a hectic time on at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, the railways and it is for churches too. Both he was ordained in Southwark Diocese. He church and railway station are thronged then moved north of the river and worked with many people who are not really used in both the Willesden and Kensington areas. to being there. And that makes particular His last post was as Vicar of St Mary the demands on our hospitality and patience. Boltons. He left there to go to the United Services like Midnight Mass and Festivals States to test his vocation in the Society of Carols are of course attended by large of St John the Evangelist in Cambridge, numbers of people we don’t see at any other Massachussets. His return to London means time of the year. They are often unfamiliar that he will be able to start work with us with our ways, unsure what to do, when to very soon. A part of his time will be spent stand or sit. Sometimes they forget to turn on developing chaplaincy work in the stores off their mobile phones. It is important that and other businesses of Oxford Street. Many we see these people as the ones for whom of the congregation have already had the Jesus was born, just as much as we are. And opportunity to meet him and I am sure that it is our privilege and calling to welcome he will be made warmly welcome among and serve them. Just as preachers have to us. One lady from St Mary the Boltons resist the temptation (and not all do), to beat made a special trip to All Saints to tell us up Christmas worshippers for their non- how lucky we were to be getting him. appearance during the rest of the year, all of us have to make a special effort to make our With all good wishes for Christmas. church a place of welcome. Yours in Christ, This year, we are having an extra service Alan Moses

 been introduced by that great innovator Dr THE FESTIVAL 2007 Harry Bramma.

All Saints has always been unusual in the In my student days, I visited Puebla and enthusiasm with which it celebrates its attended Mass in its cathedral, although the feast of title. In the time when Fr Holden choir were not singing at the time. Thirty wrote about in the passage in this month’s years ago, the Metropolitan cathedral in “One Hundred Years Ago”, there were Mexico City still had a large boys’ choir not as many services as there would be and capitular Mass was sung each day. I later, when there would be High Mass and sometimes attended when I was working Choral Evensong daily through the Octave, in an archive nearby. each service with a visiting preacher, but certainly more than we have now. The As well as having Fr Reddington with High Masses were at .00 in the morning, us, it was a delight to have back in choir so we must assume that only the leisured David Hutt, as well as clergy and classes were able to attend! Still, I know of parishioners from other churches in the no other parish which has five major choral deanery. services with visiting preachers every year On All Souls’ Day, just to show that we for its patronal festival. had not abandoned tradition entirely, the Our present music staff bring the same choir sang the Vale Requiem. care and attention to the music of the Just as 00 years ago, we were well Festival as did Walter Vale a hundred served by our preachers. We began with years ago. There have been times when Prebendary Christopher Gower, the we could have been accused of using the of St Marylebone, who amused and edified same old favourites — and there is a place us greatly. The Vicar gave a plug to Fr for that. Our present director of music is Gower’s new book “The Sacraments of not afraid to try something new. Most of Healing” (published by SPCK). Copies us tend be suspicious of change, especially were on sale after the service and Fr Alan in matters of music and worship; so the sought to boost sales by offering the prize very idea of a Mass setting written for a of a free drink to the first person who came cathedral in Mexico could be predicted to him with their copy of the book and told to send shivers down the spine of some. him the page on which All Saints is referred Fr Reddington, who was with us for All to. The reference speaks approvingly Saints Day too, admitted to being of their of our provision of three Masses each number but confessed afterwards that he weekday. The winner, the next day, was had been wrong. The Mass setting by Juan Caroline Farrer and Fr Alan bought her the Gutierrez de Padilla was an undoubted promised drink. triumph. We ought by now to know enough of Paul Brough’s musical and liturgical Our preacher on All Saints Day was the skills to trust his judgement! Paul is not Bishop of Southwark, familiar to many the first director of music to experiment from BBC Radio Four’s “Thought for the at festivals. On Festival Sunday we had Day”. He was given rather more time to Haydn’s “Grosseorgelmesse” which had expand on his theme.

3 On All Souls’ Day, we had Father Robert MacSwain OGS, the chaplain of PARISH NOTES St Chad’s College, Durham. He based his meaty sermon on the writing of Austen Andrew Arthur Farrer, a selection of whose works he has On Festival Sunday, the Vicar took co-edited with Professor Anne Loades of the opportunity to say some words of Durham University. The prize-winning appreciation about the Festival music. He Caroline Farrer is Austen’s daughter. then went on to congratulate Andy on his appointment as Director of Music at Trinity On Festival Sunday, our preacher at High Hall, Cambridge. It is difficult to believe Mass was the , the Very Revd Nicholas Frayling. This was meant that Andy has been with us for eight years. to be the return match after the Vicar had He has made an enormous contribution to preached at , but he the life of All Saints and the church has a was taken into hospital the day before, so place in his heart. The arrangements for another date will have to be arranged. him taking up his new post, and therefore leaving this one, are still to be finalised. At Evensong on Festival Sunday our When they are known, we will make preacher was the Revd Jeremy Crossley, suitable arrangements to bid him a proper the Rector of St Margaret, Lothbury, and farewell. Area Dean of the City. Fr Jeremy began by paying tribute to the gracious welcome Dennis Davis he had received behind the scenes here at On the same day, we also paid tribute to All Saints. It was much warmer than that Dennis. The Vicar had been told by an he had received in another anglo-catholic angelic messenger (well Fr Reddington parish which he, an evangelical, had actually) that Dennis had begun work here preached in. on All Saints Day 98, so he had been with Our guest preachers’ sermons will appear us 5 years. have silver jubilees, so in the Parish Paper in due course. why not a parish administrator! Dennis, on the wise advice of Fr David Hope, Like the Festival a hundred years ago, our worships at his local church, St James’s, Festival was again “bright and blessed”. Islington, on Sundays, but an invitation to lunch at the Vicarage afterwards lured him The Festival Appeal here on Festival Sunday. Our Appeal this year was for our Mission Projects and the restoration of the tile The Vicar writes: panels in the church so that they all look “Dennis has now seen All Saints through as splendid as the two on the north wall three Vicars and countless people. Dennis which have already been done. and I have worked together for more than twelve years. If I should answer the ’phone The sum raised so far is £9,118.61. during office hours, people automatically Thanks to all who contributed so address me as “Dennis”. In fact, our generously. telephone answering voices have become AM so similar that many cannot distinguish

 between us! I often say that it is when in it marking my 25th anniversary of Dennis is on holiday that I am reminded service here at All Saints. If that were not forcibly how much he does. The only time enough, a most generous HMV Gift Card it is possible then to have an uninterrupted accompanied it. I am truly grateful, dear period of study or writing is before the people of All Saints, for your kindness and parish office opens. Come 9.00 a.m., support. ’phone and door bells begin ringing, often simultaneously, emails and faxes and the Bishop Michael Marshall post come pouring in. All Saints is greatly blessed by the number of volunteers who Bishop Michael (Vicar of All Saints 1969 - help maintain our busy schedule and life. 75) having reached the age of 70, at which Dennis has a key rôle in organising and the clergy have to retire from stipendiary supporting them. Without him much of this ministry, has now resigned from his post at would simply not be possible. He is also Holy Trinity, Sloane Street. responsible for organising the day-to-day maintenance of our buildings, organising There were several services and events the Mass and confessional rotas, the to mark his retirement including a Choral banking of money, the paying of bills and the Evensong on Saturday October 3th at keeping of financial records, the production which both Canon David Hutt and Fr Alan with Anne Merritt of service booklets and were present and robed. Three out of four notice sheets as well as the Parish Paper, surviving Vicars of All Saints under the dealing with enquiries, publicity, groups of same roof! visitors, homeless people asking for meal vouchers, and a hundred and one other The preacher at the service was Canon things; some scheduled, others not. If I John Andrew, the former Rector of St was told that I could have either a Thomas’s, Fifth Avenue, in New York. or an administrator, but not both, I would Canon Andrew’s sermon appears in this have to opt for an administrator. I can issue. always say more Masses and preach more sermons but that weight of administration We wish Bishop Michael a well-earned would impede my ministry severely. rest in his retirement and hope to see him Dennis manages to be patient and friendly at All Saints before too long. with the extraordinary variety of people who belong to All Saints or come into The Sick contact with it. He can, when necessary, Those who receive the Parish Paper by be splendidly fierce with tradesmen who post will know that Doris Sanders has have failed to turn up when they said they been the person sending it to you for a would.” number of years now. Unfortunately, she had a fall during the summer and ended up Dennis writes: in hospital with a broken femur. She is now I was quite taken aback on Festival Sunday home although not yet fully recovered. by Fr Alan’s very gracious words and Doris managed to get to church on All presentation of a lovely card with many Saints Day before she was due to return of your signatures and kind messages to hospital for further treatment. We wish

5 her a speedy recovery. Her duties have services. He wrote that it was the aim to been taken up for the time being by the complete the High Mass in an hour and a indefatigable Mrs Christine Ellis. quarter — but people must bear in mind that there would be a hundred people to We were shocked to hear that our Friends communicate. Well, we usually take an of All Saints Secretary, Juliet Windham, hour and half these days, but then there are had collapsed at Heathrow after getting now an extra reading and a psalm as well off a plane from Australia where she had as more congregational hymnody — but been visiting family. She was taken to the there are also more people. coronary care unit at Hillingdon Hospital. We are relieved that she was able to go It is also the case that we now have a home after a few days and was back at Festival Appeal which is not devoted to church with us shortly afterwards. paying off last year’s deficit! It was good that Lovinia Miller was able I was also struck by the fact that the Parish to be with us on the Eve of All Saints, even Paper was a good deal less substantial than it while she has been receiving treatment. now is. We were conscious that last month’s Since then the Vicar has taken her the issue was rather thin; in part because of Sacrament at home. the postal strikes which held up material. Normal service has now been resumed. A New Resident at No. 8 AM The Revd Jim Rosenthal moved into Fr Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham Gaskell’s old flat in November. Jim is the Communications Director of the Anglican Fr Nick Mercer, who is Director of Communion Office and an old friend of Ministry for the diocese of London, spoke All Saints. He was ordained at to a meeting of the Cell on praying the Petertide this year and is serving his title at rosary. As we would expect from Fr Nick, All Hallows by the Tower. his talk was both informative and amusing; leavened by illustrations and anecdotes “The Good Old Days” from his earlier life as a Baptist minister and a curate at St Mary’s, Bourne Street! The clergy have to live with being told that things were so much better in times gone The Cell meeting this month on Saturday by. December 8th, the feast of the Conception of our Lady, we will have a talk from an I am sometimes told how huge the old friend, Prebendary Bill Scott, the Sub- congregations were, how wonderful the Dean of the Chapels Royal. music was in the days of the choir school. Well, I am sure that, however good the St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy music was in those days, our present efforts As many of you know, the Vicar is the must bear comparison with it. chaplain of St Luke’s Hospital not far A recent historical inquiry led me to from us in Fitzroy Square. The hospital look back to Parish Papers from the time re-opened this summer after refurbishment of Fr Kenneth Ross. My eye fell on a piece to bring it up to current clinical standards. where he was writing about the length of This was in time for Fr Alan to walk up 6 every couple of days to have his dressings some time, and enjoy a convivial glass changed and visit sick fellow clergy. of sherry, with John Welch who lives in St John’s Home. They were followed by This year St Luke’s celebrated the Philip and Yvonne Harland. John sends centenary of the opening of the hospital greetings to all his friends at all Saints. with a service in St Paul’s Cathedral attended by the Duke of Edinburgh who Sr Jean Margaret and Sr Anne had been patron of the refurbishment Frances, formerly of Margaret Street and appeal. The sermon was preached by the latterly of Hemel Hempstead, have now Archbishop of Canterbury. moved to Oxford.

On a rather less grand scale, the Vicar Holy Baptism went to St John’s, Markyate, in St Alban’s Diocese, to preach on behalf of St Luke’s Isabel Nada Rose and Sofia Violet Vjera Hospital for the Clergy at a Deanery Comer, twin sisters, were baptised at All Evensong for Wheathamstead. He was Saints on Monday October 9th. delighted to find among the assembled One of their godmothers is Croatian clergy several who had been patients at St and provided baptismal candles and white Luke’s or had connections with All Saints. garments from her home country. The He was even more delighted to find in the Vicar was assisted by our head server congregation Myrtle Hughes, often on Cedric Stephens, who was able to share his duty here in the All Saints Shop. expertise as a godparent. Chapel Centenary at Oxford From the Director of Music A number of us were at the convent of the All Saints Sisters in Oxford for a Mass to CAROLS: ‘Four Services and a celebrate the centenary of the consecration Recording’ of the chapel. The chapel, designed by Sir Ninian Comper (also responsible for our I am delighted to have this opportunity to Lady Chapel and work in the sanctuary) introduce this year’s Christmas music. was originally the chapel of St John’s The ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ Home for the Elderly. It continues in this on December 17th at 6.00 p.m. is a ‘first’ rôle as well as being the chapel for the for All Saints. This will serve not only as Sisters, as well as Helen and Douglas a launch for the new CD recording ‘Carols Houses, hospices for children and young from All Saints, Margaret Street’ which will people with terminal illnesses, which are by then be on sale, but also an opportunity in the grounds of the convent. to bring people into church who are not The celebrant and preacher was the regular attenders. So, not only will our Archbishop of Canterbury. He and the advertising be targeting office workers and sisters were having a busy day as they others in our parish, but regular members had to go on to Christ Church for the 5th may wish to bring a friend or two. Just anniversary celebrations for Helen House. think, if every member of the electoral roll brought two friends each we would have an Fr Alan and Theresa were able to spend overflow of people watching by videolink 7 in the Parish Room… For many of us, our year, all the choral and organ material on ever deepening faith was kindled first by the new recording will be presented. hearing magical music in church. Enjoy, and rejoice. Through the four carol services this Paul Brough CONFESSIONS BEFORE CHRISTMAS Monday 17 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. The Vicar No evening confessional Tuesday 18 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. Fr Gaskell 5.00 - 6.00 p.m. Fr Bunker Wednesday 19 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. Fr Beauchamp No evening confessional Thursday 20 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. The Vicar 5.00 - 6.00 p.m. Fr Beauchamp Friday 21 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. Fr Bunker 5.00 - 6.00 p.m. The Vicar Saturday 22 December 5.30 - 6.00 p.m. Fr Bunker Monday 24 December 12.00 - 1.00 p.m. Fr Beauchamp No evening confessional DIARY DATES Sunday 2 December — The First Sunday of Advent 11.00 a.m. Litany in Procession and High Mass Preacher: The Vicar 6.00 p.m. Advent Carol Service A service of Readings and Music for Advent with the Choir of All Saints. Thursday 6 December 7.05 p.m. Holy Hour led by Fr Neil Bunker Saturday 8 December — Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Walsingham Cell Event: The third event of the All Saints Walsingham Cell 2007 - 8 programme will be a Mass at .00 a.m. followed by “Conceived and Chosen”, a talk by Fr Bill Scott, Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal and sometime Vicar of St Mary’s, Bourne Street. The event will conclude with a buffet lunch and drinks. Everyone is welcome to attend. Wednesday 12 December 7.00 p.m. (immediately after the 6.30 p.m. Mass) School of Worship 2007 - 08 THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Hearing the Word — Readings 8 Thursday 13 December — 7.45 p.m. CHANDOS CHAMBER CHOIR Christmas Concert 2007 ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ Christmas music from the 16th and 20th centuries Programme includes motets and carols by: Byrd, Clemens, Victoria, Gardiner, Hadley, Leighton, Pierce, Bennett, Terry, Todd and Walton The programme will be interspersed with audience carols. Wine and mince pies will be available in the interval. Organist: Stephen Farr; Conductor: Andrew Arthur Tickets £0 (available on the door).

Friday 14 December 12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Courtyard (NB no 12.30 p.m. Confessional or 1.10 p.m. Mass today). Volunteers are needed on the day to help with refreshments. Please see Janet Drake or contact the Parish Office. Donations of mince pies or money for the wine will be gratefully received.

Monday 17 December 6.00 p.m. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with the Choir of All Saints, and the official launch of the Choir’s new CD for Priory Records‘Carols from All Saints, Margaret Street’. Wednesday 19 December 5.15 p.m. Wells Street Family Proceedings Court Carol Service NB No 5.30 p.m. Confessional or 6.00 p.m. Evening Prayer today.

Thursday 20 December Carol Singing in the Plaza and in and around Oxford Street at 6.30 p.m. (Starting from the Courtyard) All welcome, particularly those with good voices! Names please to Janet Drake, Telephone: 020 7278 9930.

Saturday 22 December 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. THE COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS OF BUXTEHUDE played by ANDREW ARTHUR to mark the composer’s 300th anniversary year A sponsored event in support of the All Saints Restoration Appeal This huge undertaking will involve Andrew in training and physical commitment on a par with running a marathon race. The church website, Chris Self, Churchwarden or the Parish Office can give you details of how you can recognise this superb effort by sponsoring him financially and by joining the audience for part (or all!) of the concert. This sponsored event will be our main fund-raising effort before Christmas, and we confidently hope that every member of our congregation, our visitors and all music lovers will wish to support it as generously as possible.

9 CHRISTMAS AT ALL SAINTS Monday 24 December Tuesday 25 December 11.00 p.m. Midnight Mass 11.00 a.m. High Mass of the Day

Sunday 6 January 2008 — The Epiphany of Our Lord 11.00 a.m. Procession and High Mass Preacher: The Venerable Christopher Lowson, Director of Ministry, Archishops’ Council 6.00 p.m. Epiphany Carol Service A service of Readings and Music for the Epiphany with the Choir of All Saints.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: AUGUST 22 - 29 2007

It is very difficult to summarise adequately the houses of Caiaphas, Herod, and Pilate. in a readable article the many experiences The afternoon included the real Stations of our Holy Land Pilgrimage. Day by day, of the Cross, the Via Dolorosa, the final the scenery, fellow pilgrims and the shrines station being at the Church of the Holy conjured up many experiences that will Sepulchre. Here there is so much to absorb: be remembered for the rest of our lives. six different churches compete with each So we shall give a short daily account other in offering worship. The consequent and apologise to our fellow pilgrims for hubbub is in marked contrast to an English omitting their favourite moments. cathedral, but is no less holy for that. Day one: The journey Day three: Bethlehem Armed with a blessing from the Vicar we We started the day with a cross from Israel set off for what was for many of us our first into the West Bank, a stark reminder of the journey out of Europe. This was to be more political situation. Mass was celebrated in than our annual pilgrimage to Walsingham the Shepherds’ Grotto, and was followed — important as that is. We had even less by an afternoon visit to the Church of the idea of what awaited us, although we Nativity, still Bethlehem’s parish church. guessed it would be very hot, and we were We met the Christians who still make not disappointed! On the coach from Tel up the majority of the town: it is deeply Aviv to Jerusalem we recited Psalm , humbling to experience their friendliness one of the Songs of Degrees: “And now in the face of so many difficulties. Back our feet shall stand within thy gates, O in Jeruselem in the evening, some of us Jerusalem”. visited the Wailing Wall. Day two: Jerusalem Day four: Bethany and Jerusalem After a coach ride up to the Mount of Olives, Our trip to Bethany took a much longer we read the Lord’s Prayer in almost every route than Our Lord’s because of the recent language — including Cornish! Mass at the wall that wendes its way around Jerusalem Dominus Flevit Chapel was in full view of to separate off the West Bank. Mass was the Old City, just as Our Lord looked over celebrated at the Tomb of Lazarus. We were that same scene and wept. Our excellent then guests of Alice at the Jeel al-Amal guide, Peter, pointed out the reputed sites of Boys’ Home and then of her daughter at

0 the Lazarus Girls’ School. Again, we were day, but undaunted we travelled up the humbled by the cheerful children in face of mountain of Temptation, first by cable car hardship, but at the same time were amused, and then climbing 0 steps to view ‘all particularly by one boy’s T-shirt showing the the kingdoms of the world’ — the possible London Underground Map! The afternoon site of Jesus’ third temptation. For several was free time in Jerusalem. We experienced hundred years the site had been deserted, in different ways the Vigil Evening Prayer until in 87 the Greek Orthodox monks of the following Sunday. With crowned and built an incredible monastery, literally on the vested thurifer, according to the Armenian side of the mountain. How they conveyed rite in the Holy Sepulchre or Pontifical all the materials and continue to maintain it, Vespers at St Mark’s, the Syrian Orthodox filled us with admiration. Church. We renewed our baptismal vows by Ross Buchanan the River Jordan and then travelled on to Jerusalem to Galilee Tiberias, and within 5 minutes of arriving at our hotel several of us were swimming in Day Five: the Sea of Galilee, with the backdrop of the Sunday, and an early start, with packed Golan Heights, and quite enjoying being cases, for our journey to the Sea of Galilee. nipped by the many fishes! But first Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane, with the vivid reminder of Our Lord’s Day Six: agony and submission to his Father’s will Mass today was to be on Mount Tabor at and betrayal and desertion by his disciples. the Church of the Transfiguration. Our On our way back to the coach we saw eight coach could not negotiate the steep hairpin ancient olive trees, said by botanists to be curves of the winding road, so we were 3,000 years old. If true they would have transported by taxi and once again we had witnessed Jesus’ last hours. a splendid view of almost the whole region. And so on to Nazareth and the Church of the As we journeyed towards Jericho it was Annunciation. The Franciscans built a small easy to imagine the lone traveller being church over the Grotto of the Annunciation attacked by robbers, as we followed the in 730, but always visualized a much larger ancient, historical road, winding and dusty, church, worthy of this great mystery. Their between high, bare and rocky desert, where dream was realized between 960 and 968 nothing moved except perhaps a group of when they built a magnificent building of Bedouins with camels and sheep, looking two inter-connected churches, one above the for new pastures. We passed the Inn of other, with a majestic dome covered with the Good Samaritan, now an Arab police copper — an architectural achievement and Station, and entered Jericho (meaning ‘place one of the largest Christian sanctuaries in of fragrance’), said to be the oldest city in the Middle East. In the Grotto where Mary the world, with its sub-tropical temperatures said ‘Yes’ to God, we sang the Angelus and and abundance of fruits and vegetables. received many compliments, so watch it, All Inevitably we were shown a giant sycamore Saints choir! tree where short of stature Zachaeus may have climbed to get a good view of Jesus, Day 7: and where blind Bartimaeus received his Our last day was spent visiting the sites sight. The temperature was 110°F by mid- associated with Jesus’ life around the Sea

 of Galilee. Capernaum, which became the one is consecrated at the Mass. centre of his activities after being rejected by Nazareth, is a fascinating place. The All sites for the daily Mass were special, Franciscans have successfully excavated the but this day, on the shore of Lake Galilee, 3rd and th century synagogue and partly was extra special. ‘O Sabbath rest by restored it, to reveal a screen of Corinthian Galilee; O calm of hills above’ was sung columns rising above a series of paved with real feeling as we re-dedicated our limestone courtyards, with two rows of lives. After lunch of St Peter’s fish at the stone benches running around three sides. Convent of the Beatitudes and a visit to the The heads of the columns have fine, intricate Chapel, we had a relaxing sail across the carvings of fruits, flowers and trees, and one lake to our hotel — and a swim before the of the Ark of the Covenant on wheels! So inevitable cocktail! many Biblical stories and sayings came to The 5.00 a.m. departure from our hotel mind, especially Peter’s affirmation of faith and the chaos of Tel Aviv airport did not ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of God’. Nearby dampen our thoughts and experiences of we prayed in the Chapel of St Peter’s house the pilgrimage, made so successful by the and also in Tabgha, traditionally the place companionship of fellow pilgrims and the where Jesus fed the 5,000. On the stone thoughtful preparation of daily booklets, which serves as an altar, there is the best and the leadership of Fr Ivan. Thank you preserved mosaic in all Israel of four loaves from all of us. and two fishes — yes four loaves — the fifth Jean Castledine THE SERMON PREACHED BY CANON JOHN ANDREW AT HOLY TRINITY, SLOAN STREET, TO MARK THE RETIREMENT OF BISHOP MICHAEL MARSHALL

All praise and thanks to God. is a vision here, explained so clearly and so strongly, so plainly and so lovingly that Tonight, we gather in gratitude. To God people have read and caught it hurrying first. God has been very good to us in Holy along the busy London street outside. Trinity, Sloane Street. This wondrously And way beyond. Beyond Sloane Street. beautiful church is alive. It’s alive with Beyond London. Beyond New York. Into praise, with music to bring us close to the Anglican world, and beyond it, into heaven, as hearts and voices rise. It shines places of faith across the earth, people have with the care and imagination given to it by caught the vision. And the man who wrote artistic hands. It’s alive with the memories the vision down and made it plain upon of great worship, great preaching, great the tablets is the man for whose ministry teaching, great shepherding, great praying we give thanks to God tonight, a man I — oh, yes, there’s been a lot of that — and have known and loved for forty years, our great leadership. The ancient prophet Bishop Michael. Habbakuk was ordered to “write the vision down, and make it plain upon tablets, so Every time I look at this Bishop they may run that readeth it”. (Habbakuk Michael, I think of another Bishop : ) There had been a vision here; there Michael, Archbishop Michael Ramsey,  the man who ordained me over 50 years the Kingdom for just such a time as that. ago, my Father in God, my Dad, really, And the whole Church is the beneficiary my much-loved employer who educated of that extra-ordinary coming together. me after Oxford when he plucked me I have noticed one thing about this man; from an obscure curacy to serve him for he has a spirit-filled gift of eliciting from the decade of the sixties. He had several souls of every kind their creative talents favourite scriptural texts which he would and their abilities. With his love of music repeat in circumstances in which he found and his piano skills the music of this place himself, and they have become for me as has blossomed as a weapon of evangelism. permanent and as vivid a part of my soul He had encouraged the visual arts, and as a tattoo on most men’s (and women’s) artists and sculptors have responded bodies we see today. with exhibitions and beauty in this place itself. He chooses his colleagues carefully, Of this store in his capacious memory and calls forth their own intellectual and was a striking and unusual text from the teaching and preaching strength. Courses unusual book of Esther (: ): “…and of teaching have been created here — and who knoweth whether thou art not come have spread far beyond to other churches to the Kingdom for such a time as this?” with a small c and Churches with a big C The right person at the right time. It was to examine them and use them. You could a question put to a brave woman. That say with the Psalmist: “Their sound has same question could have been put to gone out into all lands and their words unto Bishop Michael when he was confronted the ends of the world.” with a situation requiring courage and imagination; and, above all, faith. This To have this gift of encouragement is man is a bishop in the Church of God. He a sure sign of the Holy Spirit working is an evangelist and teacher and preacher mightily in the heart and the soul. Bishop and writer with a high degree of energy. Michael has wielded a vibrant apostolate of The challenge was, as Alice in Wonderland encouragement in this place and parish. The was told by the King of Hearts, to begin at result has been that people in this area have the beginning, and continue until you come caught the oxygen of creativity and it has to the end; then stop. Some beginning, and made them strong and happy to try. Their an unglamorous beginning at that: to be lives are not the same as a result. They are entrusted with a church once illustrious not infrequently surprised at themselves whose momentum had waned, almost to doing what they find themselves to be the death throes. In faith Bishop Michael doing: for God. took the challenge of the trust placed in him by the patron and the Bishop: “Here It has been a fulfilling time in Bishop am I: send me” (Isaiah 6: 8); and began at Michael’s ministry. But not necessarily the right time. “And who knoweth whether an easy time. There have been periods thou art come to the Kingdom for such a of physical discomfort and pain, enough time as this?” We know the answer for Holy to discourage the faint-hearted. There Trinity. It was a marriage made in heaven, have been disappointments and griefs. you might say. Bishop Michael came to To comfort him he has been supported

3 by astonishing loyalty and generosity. He no description of a Christian. God expects elicits human response to his situations us always to be slightly out of breath, for and needs in a way uncommon and, I him to breathe his living Spirit into us, suspect, puzzling to himself. People of to re-invigorate us; and sweaty with our every sort react to him: the challenge of struggle to keep us, so that he can wash his friendliness and clarity of purpose in us and make us clean again. No rest for his ministry to them. He has things to say the wicked. No rest for the Christian, until — many things to say — at times more we rest in Christ at our last awakening. I honest than diplomatic — he has always am reminded, as I say this to you, of a fine been provocative since he was a young hymn written over a century ago by Maria London University chaplain — and they Willis (1824 - 1908), a sturdy Victorian make an impression on the thoughtful. He woman and I suspect a suffragette, to has, however, never made the fatal error in whom this concept was powerful: the pulpit of answering questions which nobody is asking. Never irrelevant, never “Father, hear the prayer we offer: unreasonable, never condescending to his Not for ease that prayer shall be, hearers. His desire is to make friends for But for strength, that we may ever, Christ. And he does. Live our lives courageously.

Now we look to the future, God wants us Not forever, by still waters to keep moving. Onwards and upwards, if Would we idly rest and stay; you like. He has no intention of smiling at But would smite the living fountains our preference for settling down to smell From the rocks along the way.” the daisies. The story of God’s people is that they are challenged to press forward, If this makes you feel tired already, I to try harder, to realize that what he has have news for you. given us is not ours to possess but to use on our way, his way. And from the earliest You are heirs to Bishop Michael’s days of realization that we are God’s people vision. As heirs you have a sacred trust. and that he has a plan for us to follow and Run with the torch of that vision so that responsibilities to be shouldered, he has put visitors may be surprised and reassured people along the path of pilgrimage to point with you welcome in their midst. Make out and declare what lies ahead: “Behold, that vision plain upon the tablets — so I make all things new” (Revelation : 5). clearly and attentively — that they can He gave us the prophets and priests to warn catch and match the momentum and make and enlighten us and to correct and inspire. it their own. He gave us musicians and teachers and wise people to help us with our worship on The vision? Christ Jesus, lifted up, our way, always finding new things to do drawing with his love the whole world in our worship. He gave us saints through to himself; crucified for us, risen for us, whom his glory and reality shine along the ascended for us, and living in us for time path. We are people on the move. Static is — and for eternity!

 Carols from All Saints, Margaret Street

Available from December Carols from All Saints, @ £5.00 from the All Saints Sunday Shop, Margaret Street Parish Office, or at selected times in the church. Or by mail order @ £6.0 (UK), £7.00 (Europe), £7.50 (rest of world). Prices include postage and packing. Available from The Parish Office, 7, Margaret Street, London WW 8JG. Cheques please to All Saints Shop.

Music for Advent & Christmas

Carols from All Saints, Margaret Street the Choir of all saints, margaret street Conductor: Paul Brough organist: Andrew Arthur

1. Kindle a light 14. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BuxwV 715

2. Gabriel’s Message 15. A cradle song of the Blessed Virgin

3. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BwV 599 16. This lovely lady sat and song

4. It is high time to awake 17. The Rose of Bethlehem

5. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BuxwV 211 18. Puer natus in Bethlehem BuxwV 217 6. Adam and his helpmate 19. Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child

7. The noble stem of Jesse 20. O leave your sheep

8. In dulci jubilo BuxwV 197 21. Shepherd of Bethlehem

9. Ding dong! Merrily on high 22. In dulci jubilo BwV 729 10. Away in a manger 23. The Yorkshire Wassail Song

11. Chester Lullaby 24. O come, all ye faithful

12. In the bleak mid-winter 25. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her BwV 700

13. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BuxwV 711

nativity panel detail, photograph by mark Fleming. Music for Advent & Christmas

5 been sent in, and provided the offertories 100 YEARS AGO remain at their present level until the end The Vicar wrote after the Festival: of the year we ought to be able face 1908 free from debt. For these many mercies I It seems to be the universal opinion, do most heartily give thanks to God, and so far as I have enquired, that this year that not merely for the gifts themselves, our Festival has been quite exceptionally but far more for the spirit of devotion bright and blessed. It does not do to to God and His Church which they so estimate such matters by numbers, and clearly prove. I have lived long enough as a priest to know that there are other and deeper The Festival has also been remarkable and truer tests. Nevertheless, when God for its series of sermons. I have been asked in his mercy allows us to be blessed to insert Mr MacKay’s very noteworthy with large congregations it is a subject sermon on the present position of Church for great thankfulness, and this year the matters, and I have great pleasure in congregations have been larger than printing it in this number of the Parish any Festival, at any rate, in my limited Paper. The preacher would be the very memory of All Saints. last man in the world to agree with all that he says, but his sermon, in my judgement, The excellence of the music also has is a very remarkable pronouncement, been the united verdict. I know how and should set all thoughtful Churchmen anxiously Mr. Vale has regarded this his thinking as to the relation of the Anglican first festival among us. I am afraid that Communion to the rest of Catholic most congregations take good music Christendom. as a matter of fact, and only express their feelings when the music is not up SUNDAYS AND to standard. We would fain hope that All Saints’ congregation is somewhat SOLEMNITIES different, and that its members do MUSIC AND READINGS appreciate the enormous amount of time, energy, and skill which goes into the preparation for such services as we l SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER had on the Eve of All Saints, All Saints’ ADVENT SUNDAY Day, and the following Sunday within the Octave. I know something of the almost PROCESSION AND HIGH infinite pains which Mr Vale has taken in preparing the music for the Festival, and MASS AT 11.00 a.m. if the result has been only as satisfactory Litany in Procession: Tallis to him as it has been to the clergy and Introit: Ad te levavi the congregation he must feel abundantly Mass: Missa ‘Euge Bone’ — Tye rewarded for all his trouble. Lessons: Isaiah 2: 1 - 5 Psalm  It gives me great satisfaction and Romans 13: 11 - end pleasure to announce that the whole of Hymn:  the £400 asked for at the Festival has now Gospel: Matthew 24: 36 - 44

6 Preacher: The Vicar BENEDICTION Creed: Credo II O Salutaris: 38 Anthem: Hosanna to the Son of Hymn: 8 David — Gibbons Tantum Ergo: 95 Hymns: 50, 3, 9

l SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER ADVENT CAROL SERVICE at 6.00 p.m. ADVENT III A service of Readings and Music for Advent with the Choir of All Saints HIGH MASS AT 11.00 a.m. Entrance Hymn: 6 Introit: Gaudete l SUNDAY 9 DECEMBER Mass: Mass in B flat — Schubert ADVENT II Lessons: Isaiah Ch 35 Psalm 6 James 5: 7 - 10 HIGH MASS AT 11.00 a.m. Hymn: 70 (i) Entrance Hymn: 55 Gospel: Matthew 1: 2 - 11 Introit: Populus Syon Preacher: The Vicar Mass: Missa ‘Alma redemptoris Creed: Credo III mater’ — Victoria Anthem: This is the record of John Lessons: Isaiah 11: 1 - 10 — Gibbons Psalm 7 Hymns: 50, 6, 3 Romans 15: 4 - 13 Voluntary: Præludium in E, BuxWV 141 Hymn:  — Buxtehude Gospel: Matthew 3: 1 - 12 Preacher: Fr Gerald Beauchamp SOLEMN EVENSONG Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord alway — English, 6th Century at 6.00 p.m. Psalms: ,  Hymns: 50, 07, 95 Lessons: Isaiah 5: 8 - end Office Hymn:  SOLEMN EVENSONG Canticles: Service in E flat — Wise at 6.00 p.m. Anthem: Prepare ye the way of the Psalms: , 8 Lord — Wise Lessons: 1 Kings 18: 17 - 39 Preacher: Fr Gerald Beauchamp John 1: 19 - 28 Hymn: 7 Office Hymn:  Canticles: The Short Service — Byrd BENEDICTION Anthem: Rorate cœli desuper O Salutaris: Fischer — Byrd Hymn: 3 Preacher: The Vicar Tantum Ergo: Palestrina Hymn: 69 Voluntary: Præludium in E minor, BuxWV 152 — Buxtehude

7 MONDAY 17 DECEMBER MONDAY 24 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS AT 6.00 p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS AND With the Choir of All Saints BLESSING OF THE CRIB AT 11.00 p.m. l SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER Entrance Hymn: 9 (v Descant ADVENT IV — Willcocks) Introit: Dominus dixit HIGH MASS AT 11.00 a.m. Mass: Missa Sancti Nicolai — Haydn Entrance Hymn: 70 Lessons: Isaiah 9: 2 - 7 Introit: Rorate Psalm 96 Mass: Mass for double choir Titus 2: 11 - 14 — Martin Hymn: 37 Lessons: Isaiah 7: 10 - 16 Gospel: Luke : 1 - 14 Psalm 80 Preacher: The Vicar Romans 1: 1 - 7 Anthem: O magnum mysterium Hymn: 9 — Poulenc Gospel: Matthew : 18 - end Hymns: 8, 35 Preacher: Fr Neil Bunker Motet: Hodie Christus natus est Creed: Credo II — Poulenc Anthem: Vox dicentis Clama At the procession to the Crib: — Naylor 30 (omit v , vv 6 and 7 Hymns: 50, 8 (T 8 (ii)),  arr Willcocks) At the Crib: Infant holy, Infant lowly SOLEMN EVENSONG — Polish trad Voluntaries: In Dulci jubilo — Bach at 6.00 p.m. Toccata ‘Dieu parmi nous’ Psalms: 3, 6 — Messiaen Lessons: 1 Samuel 1: 1 - 20 Revelation 22: 6 - end Office Hymn:  TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER Canticles: Fauxbourdon — Byrd CHRISTMAS DAY Anthem: Komm, Jesu, komm — Bach Preacher: The Vicar MASS OF THE DAY Hymn: 7 AT 11.00 a.m. Entrance Hymn: 30 (omit v ; v 7 Descant

BENEDICTION — Fleming) O Salutaris: 93 Introit: Puer natus est Hymn: 6 Mass: Jugendmesse — Haydn Tantum Ergo: 393

8 Lessons: Isaiah 5: 7 - 10 STAFF Psalm 98 Vicar: Hebrews 1: 1 - 4 The Revd Alan Moses 00 7636 788 / 996 Hymn: 9 (ii; omit *) Assistant Priest: The Revd Gerald Beauchamp 00 7636 788 Gospel: John : 1 - 14 Honorary Assistant Priests: Preacher: Fr Gerald Beauchamp The Revd Neil Bunker 03 337085 Creed: Credo III Prebendary John Gaskell 00 8858 9589 Anthems: Away in a manger Parish Administrator: — Kirkpatrick, arr Sidwell Mr Dennis Davis 00 7636 788 / 996 Ding dong! merrily on High Fax: 00 736 70 e-mail: [email protected] — French trad; arr Wood Hymns: , , 6 (omit *; v 3 Sundays Low Mass at 6.30 p.m. (Sat), 8.00 a.m. Descant — Willcocks) and 5.5 p.m. Morning Prayer 0.0 a.m. Voluntary: Radetzky March HIGH MASS and SERMON at .00 a.m. — J. Strauss I SOLEMN EVENSONG, SERMON and BENEDICTION at 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday Morning Prayer at 7.30 a.m. l SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER Low Mass at 8.00 a.m., .0 p.m. & 6.30 p.m. Confessions from 12.30 - 1.00 p.m. & 5.30 p.m. CHRISTMAS I Evening Prayer at 6.00 p.m. Saturday Morning Prayer at 7.30 a.m. Low Mass at 8.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.* HIGH MASS AT 11.00 a.m. (* First Mass of Sunday) Entrance Hymn:  Confessions 5.30 p.m., Introit: Dum medium silentium Evening Prayer 6.00 p.m. Mass: St Ignatius Mass — Laloux Confessions are also heard by appointment 00 7636 788 Lessons: Isaiah 63: 7 - 9 Instruction in the catholic faith as taught by the Psalm 8 can be obtained on application to Hebrews 2: 10 - end any of the priests, who will also give help in preparing Hymn:  (v 5 Descant for the sacraments. — Marlowe) PARISH OFFICIALS Gospel: Matthew : 13 - end Churchwardens: Preacher: The Vicar Mr John Forde 00 759 9855 Creed: Credo II Mr Christopher Self 00 8858 6370 Anthem: There is no rose — Britten PCC Secretary: Hymns: 39 (v 5 arr Willcocks), 0 Dr Dilys Thomas 00 779 366 See amid the winter’s snow Hon Treasurer: Voluntary: In dir ist Freude — Bach Mr Patrick Hartley 00 7607 0060 Director of Music and Organist: Mr Paul Brough 00 8655 336 Evening Prayer is said at .30 p.m. Associate Director of Music & Assistant Organist: Mr Andrew Arthur 00 879 0909 Honorary Assistant Organist: Mr Norman Caplin 00 8989 395 Electoral Roll Officer: Miss Catherine Burling c/o 00 7636 788

9 CALENDAR AND INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER 2007

 Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor  X THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT OUR PARISH AND PEOPLE 3 Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle of the Indies USPG  John of Damascus; Nicholas Ferrar Religious 5 The unemployed 6 St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra Unity 7 St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher Those in need 8 The Conception of the Blessed Virin Mary Walsingham 9 X THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT OUR PARISH AND PEOPLE 0 Church Schools  The homeless  Ember Day Friends of All Saints 3 St Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse Unity  St John of the Cross Ember Day Those in need 5 Ember Day Theological Colleges 6 X THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT OUR PARISH AND PEOPLE 7 O Sapienta Eglantyne Jebb, Social Reformer ALMA* 8 The sick and disabled 9 Wells Street Family Proceedings Court 0 Unity  Those in need  The Samaritans 3 X THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT OUR PARISH AND PEOPLE  CHRISTMAS EVE Preparation for Christmas 5 CHRISTMAS DAY Thanksgiving for the Incarnation 6 ST STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR Witnesses to the Faith 7 ST JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST Proclamation of the Gospel 8 THE HOLY INNOCENTS Those in need 9 St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury 30 X THE 1st SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS OUR PARISH AND PEOPLE 3 John Wyclif, Reformer Social reform

Please note: All Friday Masses are ‘for those in need’ — intercessions from the board inside church are used on these days. *ALMA — The Angola, London, Mozambique Diocesan Association

Set and Printed by S Alban’s Church Litho Unit Birmingham B 0XB