Feb ruary 2017 Published by FCC in conjunction with the Archdeaconry of London February 2017 will see the end of an era in the annnals of the Diocese of London and the City Churches in particular. Bishop Richard will be retiring after 21 years of serrvice as Bishop of London. During thaat time his support for the unique grouping of churches in the Square Mile has been tireless and always much‐valued. The Diocese of London will bid farewell to Bishop Richard on Thursday 2 February at St Paul’s Cathedral at 6.00pm. His last public act will be to celebrate the Eucharist with the people and clergy of the Diocese. The date of the service coincides with the festival of Candlemas which marks the end of Chrisstmas and Epiphany season and it is tthus fitting that the end of Bishop Richard’s tenure of office should be marked with the beautiful Candlemas liturgy. Everyone will be welcome to attend this unique service, the earlier ticketing arrangements for parishes having been dispensed with. The Bishop will prreside over what promises to be a feast of music and light in the unique settting of St Paul’s Cathedral. Alongside the service in the Cathedral the bishop will launch a parallel celebration in Patternoster Square ― a ‘pop‐ up cathedral’ ― shortly before 6.00pm. The Bishop’s sermon and other parts of the Cathhedral service will be shown on a big screen in the Square and there will be music, prayer and proclamation. Holy Commmunion will be shared by everyone inside and outside the Cathedral. All will be welcome to join the celebration inside and outside St Paul’s. At the end of the service Bishop Richard will come to the Great West Door of the Catthedral where the outdoor congregation will gather with him for his blessing. The occasion promises to be memorable and a most fitting conclusion to Bishop Richard’s inspiring ministry. In scanning the listings of other events taking place in the City churches in February certaain items tend to catch the eye. In what follows, as always there is no intentiion to sideline other events all of which are noteworthy in their own way. On Tuesday 28 February at 7.30pm in The Dutch Centre in the Dutch Church, Austin Friars a debate will be held between Nick Clegg PC MP, former Deputy Prime Minister, and Thierry Bauudet, the European sceptic journalist on the subject of populism as it affects European democracies. Several days earlier in the same venue on Wednesday 22 February there is to be a lunch and talk with Professor Sir Paul Collier CBBE on his book ‘Exodus’ and the subject of migration. Further details of these two potentially interesting and challenging events are given in the listings for those dates. As always muusical events will be numerous with a wwide range of works, instrumentalists and vocalists. Among the organ recitals three of these at St Lawrence Jewry definitely catch the eye. In February on Tuesdays 14, 21 and 28, all at 1.00pm a series of outstanding school‐age organists from around the world will display their talents on the king of instruments. The energy and commitment oof these young artists has entranced audiences in previous years and it is certain that this year’s assembly will be equally interesting. The series will continue in March. In the City church of St Olave Hart Street there will be ‘A Concert for Samuel Pepyss’ and this takes place on Wednesday 15 February at 8.00pm. Full details of wwhat promises to be an interesting event are given in the listing. One item to be performed stands out ― ‘Beauty rere’ ― apparently composed by Saamuel Pepys himself. It is fitting that this example of another of the renowned diarist’s distinguished achievementts is to be demonstrated in the church where his remains lie. It can be seen that events in the City churches in Feebruary 2017 will be memorable, particularly the event to be held in St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday 2 February when we bid Bishop Richard farewell and Godspeed. The Friends of the City Churches, Church of St Mary Abchurch, Abchurch Lane, London EC4N 7BA Visit: www.london‐city‐churches.org.uk for more information and the location of the churches in the City Tuesday ─ continued REGULAR WEEKDAY SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 2017 1230 Low Mass St Magnus the Martyr 1230 Eucharist St Mary le Strand 1230 to 1255 and 1330 to 1350 RC Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) The entries below show the normal pattern of services for City Churches St Mary Moorfields and a few churches ‘just over the City borders’. Entries are for Church 1230 Holy Communion St Mary Woolnoth of England services except where indicated otherwise. ‘1st Monday’, 1230 Holy Communion (said), with coffee and sandwiches served ‘2nd Monday’ etc refer to the 1st Monday, 2nd Monday etc of the month. St Olave Hart Street 1300 Contemporary Worship and Teaching Christ Church, Spitalfields While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the services shown are 1300 RC Mass, followed by Confessions at 1320 subject to change immediately before, during and after major festivals St Etheldreda, Ely Place and at Bank or other holidays, as well as during the summer months. 1300 to 1400 (any time) Contemporary Worship You are strongly advised to contact churches to check the details. St Sepulchre without Newgate 1305 Eucharist (said) St Botolph Aldgate For a list of weekend (particularly Sunday) services please go to the 1305 to 1335 Bible Talk, with lunch available after the talk Friends of the City Churches website at www.london-city-churches.org.uk St Helen Bishopsgate and follow the links from ‘Events’ and ‘City Events’ 1305 Meditation (in the crypt chapel) St Mary le Bow 1305 RC Mass, following Rosary at 1230 St Mary Moorfields 1310 Mass St Alban the Martyr, Holborn Monday 1310 Holy Communion with short address St Andrew Holborn 0715 Jewish Daily Service (Spanish & Portuguese Sephardic orthodox rite) 1310 to 1340 Bible Talk, following sandwich lunch at 1300 (0700 on 1st day of Hebrew religious month) For details please see St Botolph Aldersgate www.bevismarks.org.uk Bevis Marks Synagogue 1310 Holy Communion St Margaret Lothbury 0745 RC Morning Prayer St Mary Moorfields 1315 to 1345 Meditation Open to all Please arrive a few minutes 0800 Mass St Alban the Martyr, Holborn before 1315 St Ethelburga’s Centre, Bishopsgate 0805 RC Mass St Mary Moorfields 1630 Evening Prayer All Hallows by the Tower 0815 Morning Prayer in the crypt St Bride Fleet Street 1700 to 1800 ‘A Space for Silence’– contemplation, reflection and silent 0815 Morning Prayer in the church St Mary le Bow worship - come and go as you wish St Bride Fleet Street 0830 Morning Prayer St Giles Cripplegate 1700 to 1730 ‘Words of Hope’ – quiet reflective service 0900 Quiet service of morning prayers (The Mission to Seafarers – public St Clement Eastcheap welcome) St Michael Paternoster Royal 1745 Evening Prayer in the church St Mary le Bow 1200 Meditation Group: ‘Stressed in the City’ (Moot Community – all 1800 RC Evening Prayer, following Rosary at 1730 St Mary Moorfields welcome) St Mary Aldermary 1830 Choral Evensong (traditional) (Choral Eucharist on 3rd Tuesday) 1215 Prayer Service St Vedast alias Foster St Sepulchre without Newgate 1230 to 1255 and 1330 to 1350 RC Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) St Mary Moorfields Wednesday 1300 to 1345 Contemplative Prayer 0715 Jewish Daily Service (Spanish & Portuguese Sephardic orthodox rite) St Edmund King and Martyr (London Spirituality Centre) (See Monday) Bevis Marks Synagogue 1300 RC Mass, followed by Confessions at 1320 0745 RC Morning Prayer St Mary Moorfields St Etheldreda, Ely Place 0800 Mass St Alban the Martyr, Holborn 1305 RC Mass, following Rosary at 1230 St Mary Moorfields 0805 RC Mass St Mary Moorfields 1310 Mass St Alban the Martyr, Holborn 0815 Morning Prayer in the crypt St Bride Fleet Street 1700 to 1800 ‘A Space for Silence’– contemplation, reflection and silent 0815 Morning Taizé Chant (Moot Community – all welcome) worship - come and go as you wish St Bride Fleet Street St Mary Aldermary 1745 Evening Prayer in the church St Mary le Bow 0815 Morning Prayer in the church St Mary le Bow 1800 RC Evening Prayer, following Rosary at 1730 St Mary Moorfields 0830 Morning Prayer All Hallows by the Tower 0830 Morning Prayer St Giles Cripplegate Tuesday 0830 to 0915 Holy Communion St Lawrence Jewry 0715 Jewish Daily Service (Spanish & Portuguese Sephardic orthodox rite) 0900 Quiet service of morning prayers (The Mission to Seafarers – public (See Monday) Bevis Marks Synagogue welcome) St Michael Paternoster Royal 0730 Morning Prayer in the church St Mary le Bow 0900 Morning Prayer Temple Church 0730 to 0930 ‘Start: Stop’ – start the day by stopping to reflect – 10 minute 0915 Morning Prayer (Eucharist on 1st Wednesday) reflections beginning every 15 minutes - just drop in St Edmund King and Martyr (London Spirituality Centre) St Stephen Walbrook 1205 RC Mass St Joseph Bunhill Row 0745 Holy Communion (said) St Mary at Hill 1215 Mass St Vedast alias Foster 0745 Eucharist followed by breakfast St Mary le Bow 1230 Low Mass St Magnus the Martyr 0745 RC Morning Prayer St Mary Moorfields 1230 Holy Communion St Mary Abchurch 0800 Mass St Alban the Martyr, Holborn 1230 to 1255 and 1330 to 1350 RC Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) 0800 to 0900 Café Prayer – An opportunity for stillness and prayer, Bible St Mary Moorfields reading and reflection – light breakfast and coffee served 1245 to 1315 (3rd Wednesday) Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting St Katharine Cree for Worship 0805 RC Mass St Mary Moorfields Bunhill Fields Meeting House, Quaker Court,