Parish News
A Prayer for this week
Almighty Father,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness,
from glory to glory;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
St Martin’s Education Programme 2012: Radical Compassion: The Gospel and Social Justice
In this education series an inspiring group of speakers seek to examine the radical implications of Christ’s life and teaching and his transforming compassion, in relation to issues of social justice. What is Christ saying to the poor, marginalized, and the struggles of our time? Can we rediscover a theology of liberation for today? Monday 20 February 2012 Robert Beckford: Compassion and Freedom. The lectures will take place in St Martin-in-the Fields Church from 7pm-8.30pm. They are free and open for all. There will be a retiring collection.
Ash Wednesday/22 February
Morning Prayer will be followed by 8.30 a.m. Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes. There will be a Choral Eucharist at 1 pm and Sung Eucharist at 6.30 p.m. Both these services will include the Imposition of Ashes.
Living the Questions...
Living the Questions...is a chance to question afresh the core issues of the Christian faith via a 20 minute dvd and a group discussion. We are running term 1 of a 3 module course for the third time. Sessions last from 12.15-1.45pm on Sundays in the Austen Williams Room and you are welcome to eat with the group in the Crypt Cafe afterwards. Each session is self standing so you are welcome to attend as a one off - and we hope you will want to continue. Dates for this term: 26 Feb, 11, 18 Mar. For further details contact Revd Rosy Fairhurst rosy.fairhurst@smitf.org
Lent Study Course 2012
The Lent Study Course 2012 will take place at St Martin-in-the-Fields each Monday night during Lent from Monday 27 February - 26 March. The theme is Sacred Space and will reflect on the writings of Etty Hillesum. Flyers and application forms are available in church from Sunday 22 January.
The St Martin's breakfast group
The St Martin's breakfast group meets next on 29 February 2012 in the Crypt Cafe from 7.45-8.30am. All are welcome. For more information contact Caroline Barnett or Revd Will Morris via the Parish Office.
Changing Attitude
James Alison, renowned catholic theologian and author, will speak in St Martin’s Hall at 7pm on Friday 9 March. All are very welcome to "Rethinking Christianity after the Gay Wars: the Shape of the Sign".
Are you D/deaf or a person with disability within our congregation?
Or do you perhaps care for such a person? There will be a meeting to which you are very welcome in the Dick Sheppard Chapel on Sunday 11 March at 12.30pm until 2.00pm. At this meeting the issues surrounding inclusion will be thrown open for discussion as a first step in preparation for further work. For further details, please contact Revd Clare Herbert.
Confirmation at St Martin's
The Bishop of London, the Right Revd Richard Chartres, will preside at this year's service of confirmation on Sunday 10 June. Classes will take place on Sunday mornings 12noon–1pm on the following dates: 25 March, 1 and 29 April, 6, 13, 20 May, 3 June. If you are interested in joining the preparation classes please contact Revd Katherine Hedderly (adults), or Revd Richard Carter (children) or any member of the clergy team, katherine.hedderly@smitf.org or richard.carter@smitf.org or phone the Parish Office on 0207 766 1100.
New Vicar
We are looking forward to the arrival of our new Vicar, Revd Dr Canon Sam Wells and his family. Sam’s collation by the Bishop of London will be on Monday 2 July, in the evening. Please book the date in your diary, and look out for more details nearer the time.
Save the date/Parish At Home Day, Saturday 14 July
This year instead of an Away Day we are having an At Home Day which will be a chance to meet our new Vicar and his family and have a picnic together in the park. The day is open to all members of our congregation and to C Club.
Parish Pipeline
The latest (February 2012) edition of Parish Pipeline has gone out, giving details of what’s happening over the next few weeks. Copies of Parish Pipeline are available at the back of church. Everyone on the electoral roll or parish list should have received a copy by e-mail; if not please e-mail Elinor Newman (elinor.newman@smitf.org) in the Parish Office.
Mentoring and the workplace
The work lives of our congregations are incredibly diverse. Some people are new to the workplace, others have decades of experience. And this is true across a wide range of occupations. Some of these younger people may have doubts, worries or concerns – ethical or practical – about their job that they cannot share with their peers or others at their place of work. Others may feel trapped in their current job, but not know how to find a new one. If you are interested in being mentored, in offering your experience as a mentor, frustrated in your own job, or interested in helping others consider how to find new jobs, please let Revd Will Morris know, and we will see if it is possible to start to match needs with experience. Contact william.morris@smitf.org
Our reflective Sunday 6.30pm evening service
We continue our popular reflective services for Sundays from 4 September at 6.30pm:
The first Sunday in the month: Salt and Light: A Taizé Service. Using the meditative chants of the Taizé Community and a group of musicians, this service leads us deeper into reflection and prayer.
The second Sunday of the month: Bread on the Edge: A Eucharist Service. An informal Eucharist service celebrated around the altar, with word, prayer, music and reflection that invites us to share in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection and his inclusive love for all.
The third Sunday in the month: Go in Peace and Live in Love: A Service for Healing. This service focuses on themes of healing and offers the chance, for those who want, to receive prayers and anointing for healing for themselves or others they care for.
The fourth Sunday of the month: The Word Among Us: A Service of Meditation upon the Bible. Focused around St Martin's new St John's Bible these services explore the meaning of passages of scripture for our daily lives.
The fifth Sunday in the month: Themes for our Time: A Service of Reflection. In word, music and prayer each month we focus on a different theme and examine our response.
Thursdays 1.15pm-1.45pm/Lunch-Break : Praying with the Scriptures during the working day
The pattern of midweek services includes an opportunity to explore and reflect on the meaning of the word in the middle of the day.
Lay Chaplains and Clergy in Church
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4.30-5.30pm, a member of the clergy team is available, either in church or immediately contactable by phone in the office, to meet with those who wish to see a priest. The lay chaplains, who are skilled in listening from a specifically spiritual perspective, will continue to be available in church on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10.30am and 12 noon. Therefore the normal weekday availability is:
Monday 10.30am - 12 noon Lay Chaplain
Tuesday 4.30pm - 5.30pm Member of Clergy
Wednesday 10.30am - 12 noon Lay Chaplain
Thursday 4.30pm - 5.30pm Member of Clergy
Friday 10.30am - 12 noon Lay Chaplain
Archaeological Find
Amongst the items found by the Museum of London Archaeological Service during their work at St Martin's is a Roman limestone sarcophagus containing a human skeleton. The burial has now been dated as late 4th or 5th century AD and is one of only a few such burials found in the UK in modern times. The find is of great significance as it points to the possibility of this being a sacred site for much earlier than previously thought and also provides important information on the history of Roman London.
Parish Office
The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The telephone number for the office is 020 7766 1100 and the email address is: clergyoffice@smitf.org
Friends of St Martin-in-the-Fields
If you live abroad or out of London and would like to keep in touch with us and our work, why not join the Friends of St Martin-in-the-Fields? Just send your details to: Friends Subscription Secretary, 6 St Martin’s Place, London WC2N 4JJ.
