All Saints Parish Paper 7, MARGARET STREET, LONDON W1W 8JG asms.uk MARCH 2021 £1.00

The West window, Annunciation & Crucifixion 2019 Photograph: Andrew Prior

FR MICHAEL writes: On the first Sunday in we hear The logic of the temptation story is clear the of Jesus’ temptation in the enough, especially in the more expansive wilderness. In Mark this is economically narratives of Matthew and Luke: three described: ‘He was in the wilderness forty times the devil tests Jesus, using proof texts days, tempted by Satan’. This wilderness from scripture (fundamentalists beware: is more than a physical desert: it is also isolated biblical texts are here shown to a spiritual wilderness, a place in which be a source of misinformation). He tests the Spirit (who has put Jesus there) is lost Jesus by asking him to seize power, power sight of, leading to temptations by someone to be used for his own benefit. And three called Satan, ‘the accuser’ (perhaps the times Jesus chooses to serve not himself but voice who fills the vacuum when the Spirit God: he ‘turns to’ the Father. He is offered is ignored or forgotten). In our lives these the possibility of getting to Jerusalem are the times at which we think worst of and glory by a tempting short-cut, which ourselves and are most given to despair comes without cost; or he may get there, and moving in the wrong direction, times conforming to the Father’s will, by the way of abandonment, real or perceived, often of the cross. At this season we recall how experienced in a deep and insomniac night he chose the way of the cross and seek to — ‘night thoughts’. understand what that might mean for us.

1 This year, when ashing seemed to I hope it may be useful to repeat here be impractical, we began Lent with an some suggestions for seasonal reading and adaptation of the old Asperges rite. In this devotion I offered in the parish email: ceremony of penitent preparation for our communal offering of the Holy , If you like something to contemplate the sprinkles first himself and then every day, Sister Wendy Becket’s The Art of all present with , the water Lent (SPCK 2017) is a wonderful resource of with which our life in Christ begins, traditionally accompanied by a which I’ve only just discovered: there’s a chant from , ‘purge me, O Lord’ well-reproduced painting and a reflection ( Domine in ). This is how for each day, arranged in themed weeks in a Sunday High used always to begin. In small and inexpensive volume. , when expressions of penitence are superseded by Resurrection joy, the Reflections for Lent 2021(Church House character of this preparation rite changes Publishing 2020) is a good resource, with the use of a different text, focusing on a daily reading from the Daily (again from the opening words of the chant, Office. The of our diocese have ‘I saw water issuing from the right side of also once again produced a book of daily the temple’, a quotation from Ezekiel 47, reflections:Rooted in Love: Lent Reflections but also referring to the water mixed with blood which flowed from Christ’s side on on Life in Christ (SPCK 2020). the cross), emphasising the life-giving power of God which we celebrate in the From Rowan Williams (who light of the resurrection. At All Saints we we hope to have with us for , have recently only experienced this at the pandemic permitting) comes Candles in Vigil, but I hope we might consider the Dark: Faith, Hope and Love in a Time reintroducing it at least for Lent and of Pandemic (SPCK 2020), 26 accessible Eastertide in future. meditations originally published online for his local parish. Marking the beginning of this season with cleansing waters of penitence as a Sheila Upjohn, who has written widely sign of our willingness to turn again to God reminds us to let go of what keeps on Julian of Norwich, offers The Way us from God and to accept the life-giving of Julian of Norwich: A Prayer Journey water which flows from him to refresh and Through Lent (SPCK 2020). invigorate his people. If you’re looking for a devotional This I concluded the booklet, I’d suggest Our Lady of Silence: penitential rite with the charge we receive The Devotion of Pope Francis, by Capuchin from John the Baptist on the first Sunday Fr Emiliano Antenucci (CTS 2020): in Lent: ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ devotions, including a set of mysteries for (‘turn to God and believe the good news’), words which can also be used with the the Rosary, based on an icon and course ashing but are equally applicable to the (Silence, Silence Speaks). Asperges. May we all find refreshment and new life in this holy season as we look Lastly, I’d suggest several of Melvyn forward to our emergence from the effects Bragg’s In Our Time podcasts which can of the pandemic, and, at All Saints, to a new be found on the In Our Time website or chapter in the life of our community. wherever you get your podcasts (I’ve

2 found podcasts very useful in the Year Confessions, to name just a few of those of Lockdown). There’s a subset of them I’ve found enlightening. There’s a huge devoted to religion and among these are amount there in the Culture and History excellent and informative discussions of sections as well. the Oxford Movement, Jesuits, the , St Paul, Gnosticism, the Book of Have a holy and a happy Lent as we Common Prayer, the Trinity, the Talmud, prepare together for Easter. Mary Magdalene, Purgatory, Augustine’s Fr Michael

MUSINGS (or ramblings) of a CHURCHWARDEN

When it was first indicated to as they applauded each point me by Fr Michael that it was of he preached in time that I wrote something front of the tomb of the risen for the Parish Paper I was Christ. Fr Michael then said at a loss as to what I might ‘here we have the origin both contribute. Unlike my of what we recognize as a fellow churchwarden, Mr confirmation course and also Forde, I have no specialist of the special services in Holy knowledge about anything. Week’. I could never be a contestant This reminded me of my on Mastermind. I know one own confirmation which took or two things about many Chris Self place 61 years ago on 20th subjects: enough to bluff my December by the Bishop of Reading, Eric way through most conversations without Knell. The priest who prepared me had embarrassment except, of course, anything served a curacy at St Alban’s, Holborn, technological or scientific. At the end of my during the war but I do not recall during th first year at school I came 106 out of 119 the course any excessive enthusiasm boys in the end of term exam in Physics. My from the participants. I still have the Chemistry result was little better and I soon prayer book given to me by the vicar. The gave up science altogether with no regrets. St Christopher’s Prayer Book was first What, therefore, follows are a few things published in 1937. My edition is the tenth that have suggested themselves to me since reprint dated 1958. The book contains the invitation to contribute was first issued. I morning and evening prayers, the Service of hope they might amuse, inform and perhaps the Mass, preparation for and thanksgiving remind you of things long forgotten. after Holy and the Sacrament Confirmation of . Fr Michael’s latest erudite instalment of In the note by the compiler it states that ‘What is the Church of England?’ How is it ‘this book was originally compiled by the Catholic?’ quoted from a nun called Egeria, chaplain and wardens of the Fellowship of a pilgrim to Jerusalem, who described St St Christopher for the use of boys under Cyril during the Holy Week ceremonies their care who were not familiar with and the enthusiasm of the new Christians the practice of prayer and the use of the

3 sacraments… It is hoped that it may be wonderful shop in Newbury that had a large useful also to others who are learning the religious section with many Anglo-Catholic Catholic Faith as taught by the Church Of volumes. I spent many happy hours there England.’ Only the initials of the compiler in my youth. Of the books I bought there, are given C.L.G-B. I would be interested to I will mention two that I still have. Faithful hear from anybody who might recognize Stewardship and other Sermons by Father the initials or know anything about the Stanton, mostly preached at St Alban’s, Fellowship of St Christopher. Holborn, between 1899 and 1912. The price of two shillings is still marked in I also still have the prayer book given to pencil inside the front cover. I finally read me by my godmother, ‘The of these sermons nearly fifty years later as a God’. This was first published in 1946 and Lent book. They are very easy to read, my copy is the sixth edition of 1957 so this devotional sermons with lots of helpful was obviously a popular Catholic prayer guidance for leading a Christian life. I was book for Anglicans at that time. It was surprised by the odd shaft of humour which subtitled a simple prayer book for members I wasn’t expecting. I rather think I would of the Church of England. Incidentally, at have liked Fr Stanton. One other small my advanced age I still have one godparent book I still have is ‘Ascensiones in Corde’ a alive. My uncle is a retired priest in New Collection of Aspirations and Ejaculations Zealand where he emigrated when he was Translated from the Latin. With a a young man. He came to High Mass at All by the Revd P.N. Waggett M.A., S.S.J.E. Saints some years ago. Our tradition is not It was published by Mowbray in 1912 and what he is used to! I’m not sure there is a cost me one shilling in the 1960s. I would Catholic tradition in New Zealand at all. assure readers that I did have other, more Other Books mainstream, interests at that time! I am sure quite a number of people reading Cats and Dogs this will still have a copy of the Centenary I should warn those of a delicate constitution Prayer Book. This had a forward by the or nervous disposition that they may want Late Lord Halifax written in 1933 which to skip this paragraph. (Of course, for other was observed as the Nineteenth Centenary reasons you may have decided to skip the of the Crucifixion. It was also observed as rest of these maunderings by now in any the First Centenary of the Catholic Revival case.) At the risk of upsetting a goodly in Ecclesia Anglicana. As well as all the number of the regular congregation at All usual contents of Mass etc it had a summary Saints I have to announce that I prefer dogs. of the Catholic Faith, some rules of the I have always felt that cats have ideas above Catholic Religion and a host of devotional their station and the returns for keeping material such as prayers and for a cat are nothing compared to the love various occasions, ten different litanies and and companionship of having a dog. This a guide to meditation or mental prayer. My confession was prompted by a recent article copy has almost disintegrated and I have in the Church Times by Fr Simon Buckley, never seen a copy in any second hand book Rector of St Anne’s, Soho, who many of shop despite very regular visits. These you will know. He has said Mass for us visits started from an early age. There was a during the week on occasions in the past.

4 Betty was a Jack Russell rescue dog from small wooden table for the wine and snacks Battersea Dogs’ Home who accompanied being served but this also had to be used for Fr Simon around the parish for nine years the dog nibbles so you had to be a little bit until her recent death. It is a wonderful careful what you picked up from the table article showing how Betty contributed and not confuse a sausage roll with a dog and enhanced his ministry to the people of biscuit although I’m sure they are equally Soho which I commend to you. I had the delicious. I should say that Flora had some pleasure of meeting Betty when she visited help in organising her party particularly All Saints some while ago accompanied by with the invitation. Her only contribution Fr Simon, of course. to using the computer was to chew through the cable when she was young! Her owner’s Flora name is Susie. Unfortunately I was unable Another dog of my acquaintance is Flora, a to accept the invitation the following year French bulldog who lives opposite me. Two as I had to attend a meeting of the PCC. years ago I received an invitation from her to celebrate her 16 month birthday in Regents Another Exam Park. Her actual birthday occurs in the I will end as I began with another winter when an outside party is not possible. demonstration of my lack of academic I found a suitable gift for her in Waitrose of brilliance. At the end of the fifth year my delicious doggie treats and repaired to the geography master wrote in my report ‘he picnic area near the Boat House Café. Apart tries hard but the subject is beyond him’. He from the human guests there were a number was right! I failed my geography O level. of other dogs at the party. We took over a Chris Self

LENT APPEAL 2021 Proceeds from this year’s Lent Appeal will be divided between: American Church Soup Kitchen in Tottenham Court Road — towards the costs of their mental health worker. Anglican Communion Fund — supporting communities throughout the Anglican Communion often in the poorest and most dangerous parts of the world. Bishop of London’s Lent Appeal focusing on Youth Violence — supporting three charities working in different ways with young people.

How to Donate: Please give generously by visiting our appeal page at cafdonate.cafonline.org/15898 Or you can send a cheque to the Parish Office, made payable to: “Parochial Church All Saints (Lent Appeal)”. If you qualify for Gift Aid, please write ‘Gift Aid’ on the back of the cheque. Lent Boxes will not be issued this year.

5 Music in Lockdown

Sitting down to write this Toulouse conservatoire. piece, I am reminded that Together we performed this time last year I had Duruflé’s and the just played recitals at St Trois Motets of Escaich Paul’s Cathedral, Glasgow (which make the Duruflé University Memorial look easy) in a back to Chapel and the Reid Hall back double performance in Edinburgh, not knowing in order to fit an adequately that these would be the last spaced audience into the solo concerts of 2020 and basilica. The heat was that for most of the year definitely on both literally I would not be providing Jeremiah Stephenson and metaphorically with live music at Mass. Like 40 degrees showing on the so many others, I found the daily rhythm organ case thermometer, Escaich himself of streamed Mass an important anchor for in the church for both performances and reestablishing routine in the disorientating a TV crew there recording for broadcast days and weeks that followed but of course on KTO (the French Catholic TV channel it was a moment of great joy to return to that broadcasts Masses from Notre Dame playing in church on All Saints Day. amongst other things).

Although the vast majority of my live It was my first time visiting the performance engagements have been Rocamadour despite not living too far away cancelled, I count myself very lucky to while studying in Toulouse. My partner have been able to continue supporting my described it as ‘Catholic Disneyland’ twenty-something school aged and adult though not uncharitably; there is certainly organ students online. I have even had a resemblance to the fairytale castle. The new students approach me for lessons, whole place was packed with pilgrims keen to make the most of new home and members of the French Catholic scout practice instruments and keep intellectually movement, so social distancing was for the engaged with a lockdown project. One new greater part impossible. These haphazard student had put in his lesson application flocks were shepherded by the long form that his goal in starting lessons was suffering ‘benevoles’ around a slalom of to play the entire organ works of Bach — hardcore devotees, ascending the mediæval I’m confident this will keep him amused stairs to the sanctuary on their knees, saying throughout lockdown and beyond! ten Hail Marys and an Our Father on each step. I was also very lucky to be able to perform live in France in August, spending the week As heartening as it was to see so many of the Assumption (also my birthday) of the faithful participating in the Offices playing for the sacred music festival in of the day with such enthusiasm, I felt Rocamadour with the chamber ‘In especially spoiled to have the run of the Dulci Jubilo’ comprising friends from place to myself after 10pm (this being

6 the only time I could actually practice). 1914, this series has a strong basis to claim The organ itself is only a few years old the title of Oldest Continuously Running and, being designed to resemble the prow Organ Recital Series in the World, and of a ship cutting the waves, provides a having outlasted two World Wars it wasn’t strong visual focus to the basilica without about to stop when the church closed to disrupting the ambience of centuries of public worship. prayerfulness. I spent many twilight hours It was in December, as I returned to St that week alone with the Michael’s to record a few more movements on one side and the famous Vierge Noire on of Messiaen’s iconic cycle La the other: ‘These stones that have echoed Nativité du Seigneur, that I was waylaid their praises are holy’. by a Dutch journalist working for De My French sojourn finished with a flying Volkskrant. He was particularly interested visit to Strasbourg, which takes the best part in how Christmas plans in England were of a day to reach by train from the South being shaped by the various rules on who West. Wine was swiftly replaced by beer, we could and couldn’t meet, so naturally foie gras with flammekueche, and the ancient the conversation turned to church and how and crumbling stones of the mediæval I don’t get to see my Sheffield family at Dordogne with the rather forbidding Christmas anyway. I was surprised to find teutonic straight lines of the Protestant myself on the front page of their news app Temple Neuf where the final concert of the the following morning. Apparently the trip was to take place. It was an auspicious people at De Volkskrant considered my day, as not only was I about to find out if story of having to go back to St Michael’s I could meet the virtuosic demands of the to re-record a video recital because of my Escaich and Duruflé programme after a waistcoat being buttoned up incorrectly to week subsisting on exclusively charcuterie be ‘very 2020’! and cheese, but it was also to the day The mighty Harrison organ of All Saints the 150th anniversary of the fire which has also made an online appearance in destroyed the previous Protestant church. I the Royal College of Organists’ Winter was to perform on one of the products of the Conference, where I have had the honour lavish rebuild: a beautiful and completely and pleasure of presenting a short talk on unchanged Romantic organ by Merklin, improvisation based on hymn tunes. Those complete with original pneumatic servo with an ear for such things may have heard motors for the mechanical key action. allusions to communion hymns, seasonal The memory of these wonderful melodies, and even some Nutcracker over experiences has been my succour in the the last couple of months (I am particularly two weeks’ home quarantine which met my pleased with how easy it is to overlap return to England and further restrictions ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and ‘How under which we now find ourselves. Brightly Shines the Morning Star’!). Far Although there have so far been no further from being an intellectual indulgence for concerts, I have had ample opportunity to the organist, I believe that an imaginative contribute to various online performances and sometimes even humorous approach to including the virtual reincarnation of the St improvisation helps lift spirits and enliven Michael’s, Cornhill, recital series. Started in worship. I’m sure I’ll hear if others disagree

7 during the live Q&A session! Sketches by Percy Whitlock. On Sunday 7th I am currently making arrangements November, Director of Music and leading for the 2021/2022 series of recitals at recitalist Stephen Farr will give the world All Saints, starting with two recitals this premiere of a new piece by Francis Grier. autumn. On Sunday 26th September, I will Both recitals will take place at 3:30pm in be opening the series with a programme of the case where Evensong reverts to its usual English Romantic organ music (especially time of 6pm as restrictions on restaurants suited to the instrument) including the and hospitality are lifted in the last quarter delightful and not often heard Psalm of the year Deo volente. Jeremiah Stephenson

What is the Church of England? How is it Catholic? Part 5 — The Historic Episcopate

The fourth pillar of the Lambeth The ministry of presbyters or elders is quadrilateral reads as follows: also to be found in the New Testament, (d) The historic episcopate, locally adapted but the rôle is more difficult to pin down. in the methods of its administration to Bishops and presbyters are probably much the varying needs of the nations and the same in origin. From the start, as you peoples called of God into the unity of would expect, there is a need for over- his Church. arching leadership within the group of overseers; this eventually takes on the rôle The Historic Episcopate that we would understand to be that of a Men may call me a knave or a fool, a Bishop. rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content; but they shall never by my consent call The Church grew and developed during me a Bishop! the first four centuries, the ‘Patristic’ period, into the institution we now You will not be surprised to learn who said recognise, with the fixing of the Canon that: it was John Wesley. Methodism’s of Scripture, the composition and use of divergence from episcopacy, following creeds and the development of sacramental some older non-Episcopal denominations theology. We can say that from the time of the reformation, has been a stumbling- of the Council of Nicaea (325) we see block to reunion with the Anglican parent episcopacy becoming the deep organizing ever since. What is the fuss all about? principle of the Church. The Greek word episcope in the New It is clear by now that Bishops have Testament, from which we get both an apostolic function (the succession the word ‘Bishop’ and its theological from the intimates of Jesus himself), a background, means ‘oversight’. In brief sacramental function (guaranteeing the it seems clear that we can identify this ministry of others — ordination — as well ministry of oversight in the New Testament as the validity of the Eucharist locally), together with a ministry of service which and a function of identity — what we call we call . ‘Communion’, in the sense of ‘being in

8 Communion’. In other words, Bishops take answer, at which all could gather before on a variety of focal rôles in establishing the divisions became entrenched. In the where the Church is, what the Church is, event no agreement could be reached, and what the Church teaches. Bishops were lost to many and councils In the second century, Ignatius of were suspended once the Antioch was already writing about turned out to be the papacy talking to itself. bishops, and deacons in the Henry Chadwick writes: relationship which we understand today; Most Protestant Churches either the rôles took a little longer to be fixed did not have Bishops or, if they had in some other places, but by the fourth Bishops, treated them at first as a century, as with so many other things in the sort of survival or as a useful bit of Church (most notably the determination administration. They did not need of what constitutes Scripture), the shape councils of Bishops, either because of holy orders which we know today was there were no Bishops or, where they recognisable. As the Church grew larger existed, because they would not think Bishops needed to provide the Eucharist the Bishops representative enough. for swiftly increasing numbers of local The disputes in the Church were settled congregations. Bishops had either to be locally, by a mixture of lay and clerical significantly multiplied in number or decision, through some committee or they had to delegate some of their rôle, other, usually called a consistory. specifically presiding at the , to others. But in Sweden, and in England, Wales The distinct order of the presbyter — and Ireland, the Reformation left priest or — was therefore required to Bishops in office. And in England deputise for the bishop. they came to be particularly valued, as These episcopal rôles (apostolic, symbols of continuity with the Catholic sacramental, securing identity) came to be past and indeed with the English past. crucial when Communion was fractured Therefore where Anglican Churches anywhere. If Communion with the came to exist, not in England or Wales Patriarch of Constantinople or the Bishop but overseas or across the border of Rome was lost, where then was the — in Scotland, then in the United guarantee of unity in doctrine, sacramental States and Canada, then in Australia life and ministry? And how would there be and NZ and India — the mark which Councils to determine the answers to such distinguished them [from] Protestant questions? Churches was the apostolic authority As noted in an earlier article, the which they attributed to Bishops. Reformation put this question pointedly: When Anglicanism had ceased to be how were disputes to be resolved, now seen as a thing of England and Wales that the adjudicating rôle of the papacy and Ireland, and was of the world, it had been lost? Looking to the Conciliar was embodied across the continents by movement of the late Middle Ages and a pattern of Episcopal Churches with the crisis of the papacy at that time, many much the same style of worship and hoped that a General Council would be the much the same expression of doctrine.

9 And if they attributed apostolic Anglican. authority to Bishops, and had no Again, Bishops prove to be the key. higher authority like a Pope to settle matters that needed determining, Why are Bishops so important? they naturally thought — though at As you’d expect, there are both theological first they thought very hesitantly — and political answers to that question. that they have meetings of the Theologically, the Church of England Bishops from all the various Churches has always taught, and the Lambeth of the Anglican Communion. Conferences and other Anglican bodies like synods have affirmed, that Bishops As I noted in the first of these articles, are a mark of the Church. For Anglicans just as Bishops are in the bloodstream of they are also a sign of continuity with the the , so also there was and is wider Christian Body, a sign which has a sense that Councils of, or led by, Bishops never been negotiable when in dialogue are the ultimate instrument by which to with others. They represent a kind of seek the will of God and to govern the atomic structure beyond which the Church. Councils are the administrative institutional Church cannot be reduced — cognate of Communion as the relationship where the Bishop is, there is the Church, which underlies Christianity. as St Ignatius of Antioch wrote less than The focus of that Communion and seventy years after the crucifixion. leadership in Anglicanism was clearly the And politically they remain, however See of Canterbury. The Archbishop has ineffectively at times, the necessary increasingly taken a leadership rôle in the meeting point of local Churches. Communion, while the Communion, with Organisationally Bishops allow us to know Gilbertian logic, is significantly hamstrung who we are — Anglicans do not exist in by the Archbishop’s lack of any juridical a vacuum, but in their local Church. The or even consensual power to enforce local Church is, in our understanding, the anything. diocese, not the parish. In this sense we It remains the case that the only widely have a higher doctrine of Bishops than recognised definition of an Anglican our RC siblings, where Bishops have been diocese is one in Communion with the See effectively downgraded to the status of of Canterbury (some dissenters in current papal curates by the ever-growing power arguments are trying to invent other terms of the papacy and the local Church has of reference, but they do not convince tended to be understood as the Parish with most Anglicans, least of all the Church its Parish Priest. of England). The Archbishop also invites There is, I think, a conceptual level at the Bishops to the Lambeth Conference: which all these Episcopal functions meet. I those who wish to push Anglicanism have written and preached often about how along novel fundamentalist byways, such the Eucharist makes the Church. Thinking as those involved in GAFCON, have about the leads to the realization that legal (and therefore sometimes financial) Scripture is not printed words in a book difficulty in removing themselves from this (for a start it is a library, not a book); the Communion and remaining recognisably creeds are another form of scripture, a

10 summary proclamation; the sacraments much further in its desire to defend the are where the Church happens. This means Papal tradition. It claims that Episcopal that the Church gathered at the Eucharist Communion itself only exists through the is actually where primary theology also See of Peter and extends the dictum of St happens, where the Church is found. Ignatius to claim that where the Pope is But what will guarantee those there is the Church. Eucharists and the relationships of the Paul Avis, a distinguished modern communities which celebrate them (the interpreter of Anglicanism and Anglican nexus between receiving Communion and theology has made a crucial link here, being in Communion)? Looking at the which relates back to that story of the Church with a capital C and realising that failed Conciliar Movement of the late we exist in a Communion of Eucharistic Middle Ages. Avis shows how, after the communities soon leads us back to the late-mediæval crisis when at one time there Early Church understanding of the Bishop were, simultaneously, three legitimately as the guarantee of those communities, the elected popes, the anxiety of the Roman person (or rather the office embodied in a Church about authority has tended to over- person for the time being) who is entrusted play the papal rôle. This is partly because with the apostolic office of handing on the the Reformers were the logical heirs of the Church. In other words, because the Body conciliar tradition and wanted to revive and of Christ is a living entity, just as we never reform the Church by means of a Council tire of saying that the Church is people, or Councils, so Rome and the Council of not buildings, so its local focus is always a Trent sought to foreclose the argument. person, not a text. Three hundred years later, Vatican I, Monarchical Hierarchy and interestingly just after the first Lambeth Conciliar Communion Conference, further magnified papal Anglicanism has maintained the classical power (Infallibility). Vatican II sought to Christian tradition (also expressed by the re-establish the collegial significance of Roman Church at Vatican II): without all the Bishops in Communion, but the the Bishop there may be Christian papacy has tended ever since to frustrate communities, but there is not the fullness that development. Pope Francis, however, of the Church in the traditional sense. The is now working hard to enact it. Roman Church adds that the Bishops must Meanwhile, Anglicans, with our also be in Communion with the See of Lambeth Conferences and Synodical Peter: there, for now, we part company. structures, have revived in practice Ours is a more federated understanding the understanding that the Church is of episcopacy, like that of the Eastern by nature conciliar. Avis shows that Orthodox, but with a Western heritage of Cranmer and the first English Reformers critical scholarship underpinning it. We as well as Anglican Divines from Richard (and several other reformed Churches) Hooker onwards insisted on this model have been prepared to allow the necessity of Church governance in relationship. for a primacy among the Bishops, and Almost uniquely, Anglicans also retained even that the best claimant is the Bishop the distinctive rôle of Bishops within it, of Rome. But Roman theology has gone as understood in the early Church and

11 the Conciliar Movement: the Bishop in Church of England would end up with Synod, at the heart of how our Church a continuing episcopacy. But in the is constituted, is essentially the conciliar event, “there was no attempt [during model, found from Acts 15 onwards, the sixteenth-century Reformation] transposed into the modern Church. There to minimise the rôle of Bishops as is an interesting parallel argument, which ministers of word and sacrament or Avis also makes, that this Christian model to stop a collegial relation between is in fact reflected in the non-republican Bishops and presbyters in the diocese Westminster parliamentary system (the or Bishops together at the level of Sovereign in Parliament) and that it is Province.” [The Virginia Report, 3: unsurprisingly more in tune with a modern 25] Within a short period of time, in self-understanding of community than the fact, this retention of episcopacy as monarchical absolutism into which the the foundational form of government papacy tends to retreat. within the Anglican Churches became the distinctive mark of its claim to Does Episcopacy = Bishops? be both Catholic and reformed; and, For the sake of ecumenism and in reflecting the practice of the very early humility we can modify the statement Church, the ministry of Bishops as that the fullness of the Church requires chief and teachers of the faith, Bishops just far enough to suggest that as the focus of unity and the source ‘Episcopacy’, ‘oversight’ in the New of ministry, became central. The Testament sense, can be recognised principle of episcopacy was fought differently in some at least of the non- over and defended in the life of the episcopally ordered Churches; we can say Scottish Episcopal Church. It was that in order to acknowledge, as in charity retained in the life of the Episcopal and truth we must, that these are honest Church (USA) [the names of both attempts to incarnate the Church and actual bodies witnessing to the importance of witnesses to its presence, but we note that the principle]. It was subsequently, and Anglicanism has always insisted that the carefully, preserved in the life of all historic episcopate is the guarantee. thirty-eight provinces of the Anglican The 2004 Windsor Report from the Communion… As recognised in the Lambeth Commission on Communion, the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, an most recent statement of the matter, put it episcopate at once local and universal like this: is therefore an essential element of the The unity of the Communion is both life of the Anglican Communion. expressed and put into effect among … other things through the episcopate. At It has always been maintained within the Reformation the Church of England Anglicanism that a Bishop is more than retained the threefold order of ministry, simply the local chief . Bishops in continuity with the early Church. represent the universal Church to the As the events of the seventeenth local and vice versa. century bear witness, it was by no sections 63 & 64 means a foregone conclusion that the For those who worry about how this

12 pillar can be as important as the first — are the focal point of our Communion Scripture — the report is also very clear: with the Tradition to which we are heirs The place of Christian leaders — as well as our Communion with each other chiefly within the Anglican tradition, here and now. Their rôle is to guarantee of Bishops — as teachers of scripture the presence of the Church in reading the can hardly be over-emphasised…. faith in Scripture, proclaiming it in the Creeds and sharing it in the Sacraments: The authoritative teaching of scripture that is why we call them the focus of cannot be left to academic researchers, unity. All these things can be hijacked by vital though they are. The accredited individual charismatic leaders or ossified leaders of the Church — within the by controlling institutions. Bishops are the diocese, the Bishop(s); within the human link which is intended to keep the Communion, the primates — must gift of faith real as well as safe: a human be people through whose prayerful incarnation of divine love. teaching ministry the authority of God vested in scripture is brought to bear This is a large responsibility and, to — in mission within the world and in understate the matter wildly, there are a wise teaching to build up the Church. few real-world problems with Episcopacy … as we have inherited it! We don’t very As this task proceeds, questions of easily allow our Bishops to be this focus interpretation are rightly raised, not of unity; also, our Bishops are not always as an attempt to avoid or relativise themselves clear that they fulfil this rôle scripture and its authority, but as a way for us. We, priests and parishes, have also of ensuring that it really is scripture hedged ourselves about with many rights that is heard, not simply the echo of and privileges to protect ourselves from Bishops, and we have expected Bishops, our own voices (though our responsive in England, to fulfil rôles in the wider hearing is necessary) or the memory community and even the State, which of earlier Christian interpretations often make them distant and barely known (though we must always take them figures. An ideal-sized diocese would into account: ‘tradition consists probably have no more than 70 parishes in primarily of the recollection of what it, and a Bishop who was more like a senior the scripture-reading Church has parish priest, known, to some extent, in said). 58 & 59 all of them. Instead, we often have many All this is to say, as I have been arguing, times that number of parishes; then we that episcopacy is of the essence of the intrude other levels, of assistant Bishops, Church because it is the only element Archdeacons and so on, between them which lives and breathes as we do. The and us. If we were to reform our Church Word of God may be ‘alive and active, like into smaller dioceses with much less a two-edged sword’ (Hebrews 4: 12), but it administration and a more local Bishop easily becomes a dead letter if it remains who didn’t need so many administrative a printed word; it also can be too easily support staff, we’d be allowing Bishops skewed by individual readings and readers to be what the Church intended. We are, if the living Tradition of the Church does however, a long way from understanding not guarantee its message for us. Bishops that.

13 Still, however imperfectly, the peoples called of God into the unity of Bishop remains a crucial mark of the his Church. Church, a sign that we remain part of The conference of 1888, which passed the apostolic whole. If it is true that, as this resolution, was substantially concerned liturgical theology maintains, the primary with the need for Christian unity — or theological activity of Christians happens ‘Reunion’ as it characteristically named in our Eucharistic assembly and resulting the matter. from it, then it is also true that the primary Dr Vincent, assistant Bishop if essence of the wider Church — what Southern Ohio, was anxious in the makes the Eucharistic Church into the debates of the 1880s to make it clear whole Communion of the Body of Christ that the phrase ‘the historic episcopate’ — is in fact these overseers, these Bishops ‘was deliberately chosen as declaring who are heirs to the apostolic office. Once not a doctrine but a fact, and as being we begin to see how, at a conceptual level, general enough to include all variants’. we can only understand the Church as a The intention was to make the Anglican whole with Bishops as the glue, then we doctrine of episcopacy as capacious as can also see why the battle about who can possible within the limits set by the be a Bishop has found such a sharp edge. realities of what episcopacy had been As we have noted earlier, Bishops and in the history of the Church; and at the priests are really and in origin the same same time to emphasise the importance order. The distinction between them is of a history which contains tradition. … customarily made by saying that the Bishop It is what might be described as a fact possesses the fullness of priesthood: a of revelation, and thus a fact carrying Bishop can bless and consecrate some doctrinal implications. things and people that a priest cannot; 290. …In 1920 the Lambeth it is usual for the Bishop to preside at Conference addressed the difficulty Confirmation. Most importantly a Bishop that the episcopate has not seemed and only a Bishop can ordain deacons, the natural instrument of unity to priests and other Bishops — the Bishop those Churches which have, since the passes on Holy Order itself, demonstrating sixteenth century, rejected episcopacy. the link between Bishop and Church as The Conference stressed that there was Communion (Order and Eucharist are no question of denying ‘the spiritual interdependent). Nonetheless, this is true reality of the ministries of those only in virtue of the Bishop possessing the Communions which do not possess fullness of priesthood. the episcopate’. But it held that the ‘Locally adapted’ episcopate is nevertheless ‘the best Now I return to that question of how we instrument for maintaining the unity define this ‘oversight’. The fourth article and continuity of the Church’. With of the Quadrilateral contains an important the same proviso, the 1958 Conference qualifier. spoke more strongly of the belief ‘that The historic episcopate locally adapted a ministry acknowledged by every in the methods of its administration to part of the Church can only be attained the varying needs of the nations and through the historic episcopate’.

14 The rôle, not only of episcopacy as It is strange that we pay so little attention a particular form of episcope, but of to this pivotal rôle. As the 1990 report the ‘historic episcopate’, that is, the summed up: actual episcopate as it has existed in …we may perhaps underline again the Church and exists today, remains the consistent adherence of Anglican of crucial importance. theology and practice, in this world- Episcopal Ministry, para. 289 – 90 wide arena of growing and diversified The point here is that ‘locally adapted’ Communion, to a view of episcopacy does not mean ‘altered’ in such a way as derived from scripture and earliest to be other than what a Bishop has been Christian tradition; and in which in terms of function and Order; adaptation the intersection of the three planes was about local and cultural adaptations of the Church’s life in the person of of the Bishop’s rôle rather than theology the Bishop makes him the focus and (Bishops who were not, for example, minister of unity. members of the House of Lords or Episcopal Ministry, para 292 nominated by the Sovereign). The English Reflecting on the pivotal rôle of Bishops Bishops’ 1990 report on Episcopacy set in our Communion recalls for us some a test: local adaptation must allow the interesting and important things. Most of episcopate to continue to act collegially all it tells us that the Christian Church and with full interchangeability of ministries Anglicanism in witness to it is, as the New and a shared sacramental life under a single Testament teaches, a living body, indeed episcopate. This precludes dispensing literally ‘embodied’ in people. with episcopal or saying that a Presbyterian Moderator or a Methodist In other words, the Anglican Church in Chair of District is the same as a Bishop; its membership of the Church Catholic is they are functionally similar, but not the not codified and unchanging; nor can it same. All of these may exercise episcope, ultimately be defined by points of doctrinal oversight, within a group of Christians, agreement or disagreement. It is not found but they are not within the actual historic definitively in a particular confession of Episcopate which is in fact the living faith, or a building, or a book, whether embodiment and guarantee of the Church. Scripture or anything else. We truly have no distinctive doctrines except to say The Significance of Bishops that we belong to something bigger than for the Church ourselves; we interrogate what we have The 1958 Conference again: received and seek to hand it on. Our The Anglican tradition has always interrogation has been characteristically regarded episcopacy as an extension more thorough-going and risky than that of of the apostolic office and function in some Communions — we do not proscribe both time and space, and, moreover, areas of interrogation — but it has never we regard the transmission of apostolic fatally compromised or changed what we power and responsibility as an activity have received. of the college of Bishops and never as the result of isolated action by any The Lambeth Quadrilateral helps us individual Bishop. to understand that we find the Church in

15 the interaction of four essential elements into which baptism grafts us; finally, our which are all, in a sense, sacramental, Bishops are the living focus and guarantee signs of the deeper truths of God. Scripture of all our relationships in the Church on is a human mediation of God, the Word of earth. God in human words; the Creeds proclaim We should pray hard for them, not least the core of scripture, again in human that they and we understand the vital verbal constructs; the Sacraments are importance of their rôle, to be not managers dynamic meeting-points with God which of an institution but embodiments of the take place in each particular gathering of Gospel. the Eucharistic assembly, an assembly

Books relevant to all five articles: Archbishops’ Commission on Christian Doctrine, Doctrine in the Church of England: The 1938 Report Archbishops’ Group on the Episcopate, Episcopal Ministry Paul Avis, Beyond the Reformation? Authority, Primacy and Unity in the Conciliar Tradition Paul Avis, The Identity of Anglicanism: Essentials of Anglican Ecclesiology Kenneth M. Carey, The Historic Episcopate Roger Coleman, ed., Resolutions of the Twelve Lambeth Conferences 1867 – 1988 Doctrine Commission of the Church of England, Believing in the Church: The Corporate Nature of Faith A.G. Hebert, Apostle and Bishop J.N.D. Kelly, Early Christian Creeds Kenneth E. Kirk, The Apostolic Ministry Lambeth Commission on Communion, The Windsor Report 2004 Timothy Radcliffe OP, Why Go to Church? Nicholas Sagovsky, Ecumenism, Christian Origins and the Practice of Communion Kenneth Stevenson, ed., A Fallible Church Kevin Ward, A History of Global Anglicanism Edward Yarnold SJ, The Awe-Inspiring Rites of Initiation

MUSIC LIST MARCH 2021

Sunday 7 March Lent 3 SUNG MASS at 11am Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie Motet: Thou knowest, Lord — Purcell Communion Hymn: 507 Hear us, O Lord, have mercy upon us

16 Sunday 14 March Lent 4 (Lætare) SUNG MASS at 11am Setting: Missa Jesu corona virginum — Vale Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie Offertory Motet: My shepherd is the living Lord — Tomkins Communion Hymn: 184 Shall we not love thee, Mother dear Voluntary: Prelude Op. 101 no 6 — Stanford

Sunday 21 March Lent 5 SUNG MASS at 11am Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie Offertory Motet: Miserere mei — Byrd Communion Hymn: 507 Hear us, O Lord, have mercy upon us

Thursday 25 March Annunciation of the Lord SUNG MASS at 12 noon Preacher: Fr Michael Bowie Offertory Motet: Ave Maria — Lassus Communion Hymn: 161 For Mary, Mother of the Lord Voluntary: Toccata Quinta from Apparato Musico-Organisticus — Muffat

Sunday 28 March LITURGY OF PALMS and SUNG MASS at 11am Setting: Missa Triste depart — Lassus Preacher: to be confirmed Offertory Motet: to the son of David — Weelkes Communion Hymn: 95 When I survey the wondrous Cross

Wednesday 31 March TENEBRÆ for MAUNDY THURSDAY at 7.30pm A service of and Scripture Readings with motets by Ingegneri, Lassus, Victoria and Anerio

We will be publishing music lists for the Triduum and Easter in the April Parish Paper, when circumstances will be clearer. For the fullest and latest music Music Lists, go to asms.uk/music

17 – ALL SAINTS MARGARET STREET – (Registered Charity Number: 1132895) Parish Legacy Policy At All Saints Church, we welcome all gifts in Wills, however large or small, and we promise to use your gift to make a difference in our parish. Our PCC legacy policy is to encourage people to leave bequests specifically to one of our two related charities: All Saints Choir & Music Trust (Charity Number: 802994) which supports the choral tradition at All Saints. The capital of the Choir & Music Trust cannot be spent, only the income. or All Saints Foundation (Charity Number: 273390) which assists the PCC in the care of our Grade 1 listed heritage buildings. The capital of the All Saints Foundation can be spent. Non Designated Bequests When bequests which have not been designated for any specific purpose are received, the PCC’s policy is to direct these to one or other of the two All Saints Trusts, or to some specific piece of restoration work or capital expenditure. You can be confident that your gift will have a long—lasting effect rather than being used to pay day—to—day expenses. Remembering Donors The names of donors will be entered in our Chantry Book and they will be remembered in prayer each year on the anniversary of their death. Contacting Us about Bequests If you would like to discuss making a bequest to All Saints, please contact: The Vicar/Honorary Treasurer/The All Saints Choir and Music Trust Administrator/ The All Saints Foundation Administrator c/o The Vicarage, 7 Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG. The Parish Office can put you in touch with these individuals by email. Please email in confidence:[email protected] or telephone 020 7636 1788.

Mission Projects All Saints year—round fundraising efforts support: The Church Army hostels and programmes empowering homeless women into independent living in Marylebone (The Marylebone Project) The USPG—led UMOJA, HIV Project in Zimbabwe, enabling people living with HIV and Aids to live positive lives, and The Soup Kitchen (American International Church, Tottenham Court Road) feeding up to 80 vulnerable people daily KEEPING IN TOUCH

As well as the monthly Parish Paper, you can keep in touch with life at All Saints through: The All Saints Website asms.uk The Weekly Email This gives weekly news of events, people to pray for, and a short letter from the Assistant Priest. You can subscribe for free at asms.uk/email — all subscription enquiries to the office: [email protected] Assistant Priest: The Revd Dr Michael Bowie 07581 180963 Email: [email protected] Honorary Assistant Priest: The Revd Julian Browning 020 7286 6034 Parish Office: 020 7636 1788 Email: [email protected] Parish Officials Churchwardens: John Forde 020 7592 9855 Chris Self 020 7723 2938 Hon PCC Secretary: John McWhinney [email protected]. Hon Treasurer: Patrick Hartley 020 7607 0060 Director of Music: Stephen Farr c/o 020 7636 1788 Assistant Director of Music: Jeremiah Stephenson c/o 020 7636 1788 Electoral Roll Officer: Catherine Burling c/o 020 7636 1788

19 CALENDAR and INTENTIONS for MARCH 2021

1 S David Welsh Christians 2 Feria Our Bishops 3 Feria Our clergy 4 Feria Unity 5 Feria Persecuted Christians 6 of BVM Society of Mary 7 X LENT 3 Parish and people 8 S John of God Hospital staff 9 Feria Confessors 10 Feria Christian teachers 11 Feria Preachers 12 Feria Persecuted Christians 13 of BVM (Walsingham Devotion) OLW Shrine and pilgrims 14 X LENT 4 (Lætare) Parish and People 15 Feria Healing ministries 16 Feria Christian counsellors 17 S Patrick Irish Christians 18 S Cyril of Jerusalem The Holy Land 19 S JOSEPH Fathers 20 Feria (monthly Requiem) The Faithful Departed 21 X LENT 5 (Passion Sunday) Parish and people 22 Feria Penitents 23 Feria Faith 24 Feria Churches Together 25 ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD Parish of the Annunciation 26 Feria Persecuted Christians 27 of BVM Devotion to Our Lady 28 X PALM SUNDAY Parish and people 29 Monday in Holy Week 30 Tuesday in Holy Week 31 Wednesday in Holy Week

Set and Printed by S Alban’s Church Litho Unit Birmingham B12 0XB