Today/Crèche at St Martin’s. For the 0-4 age group, with trained childcare leaders, takes place in the Austen Williams Room every Sunday. Please ask a steward to show you where to go.
Today/Children’s C-Club Programme/11.30am, DSC. Today we will see how Jesus changes lives unexpectedly by meeting the Apostles.
Today/Patronal Festival/Sunday 11 November. The Patronal Festival is St Martin’s Birthday Party. Last year we celebrated 30 years of our enterprise. This year the occasion falls on 11 November, the centenary of the armistice that ended WW1. The theme of the service is, Martin: Soldier for Peace. There will be a service at 5pm followed by food and a ceilidh. Tickets for the Patronal Party are available from Bronwyn Sanders or the Vergers for a suggested donation of £5 towards the food and drink. All are welcome.
Today/Junior Theology/11.30am, Benenson Room. A monthly group for older C-Club members where they can bring their questions and explore the Christian faith in an informal way. The next session will be on 9 December.
Today/The bells of St Martin’s, along with bells in churches and cathedrals around the country, will be rung from 12.30pm to 1.00pm as a national moment to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. #Armistice100
Today/Planned Giving Open Session/12noon, Austen Williams Room. Colin Pincott, our new Planned Giving Officer, will be holding an open session on all you’ve ever wanted to know about Stewardship and Giving to St Martin’s.
This Week/Bread for the World/Wednesday 14 November, 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome at this informal Eucharist, with prayer, music, word and reflection, followed by food and fellowship.
This Week/Reading Theology/Wednesday 14 November. Reading Theology is a new group for those wanting to go deeper, with others, into different works of theology. In advance of each session, we will read a different book, which we will then discuss on the evening. The group will take place 3-4 times a year, led by Sam Wells. Meetings will be on Wednesday evenings, after Bread for the World at 6.30pm, and the simple supper. The group will run from 8-9.30pm. We will discuss Christianity Rediscovered by Vincent J. Donovan. The book may be purchased from the Shop at St Martin’s. Future dates are Wednesday 13 February and Wednesday 22 May. For any questions, please contact georgina.illingworth@smitf.org.
This Week/Connection with Choral Classics/Friday 16 November, 6.00-10.30pm. In aid of the Friends of the Connection, with a talk and discussion on the Government’s new Rough Sleeping Strategy, meal in the Crypt, choral concert in St Martin’s. Details and booking: www.friendsoftheconnection.org.uk/events or email: friends@cstm.org.uk
Next Week/Visit the Bell-ringers/Sunday 18 November, 9.10-9.40am. The bell-ringers would be delighted to welcome members of the congregation. We’ll be explaining a bit of history of the bells and demonstrating how we ring. If you would like to join us please contact helena.tarrant@smitf.org. You’ll need to meet at the tower door at 9.10am. Please note the tower is up a relatively tight staircase, and children should be aged 8 and over.
Next Week/Inspired to Follow Advent Course/Continuing Sunday 18 November, 12-1pm, Austen Williams Room. This course explores life’s big questions: Death, Judgement, Heaven & Hell. Further dates are 2 and 16 December. Like earlier Inspired to Follow sessions, these use fine art paintings from the National Gallery, along with Biblical story, theological reflection and conversation, to explore big questions that we all wrestle with. All are welcome.
Next Week/Woven Gold in Concert/Sunday 18 November, 7.00-8.30pm: Woven Gold return to St Martin’s for an inspiration evening of musical traditions from around the world, from Iran to Pakistan to Uganda. Free and open to all. NOT TO BE MISSED!
Next Week/Autumn Lecture Series/Monday 19 November, 7.00-8.30pm: Encountering God: Justin Welby in conversation with Sam Wells. The cafe will stay open until 10pm for refreshments afterwards and a chance to meet the speaker. This year for the first time all lectures are being filmed so you can catch up with the lecture on line.
This Month/Stewards’ Advent & Christmas Briefing/Sunday 25 November, 11.30am. This will take place in church directly after the 10am service. If you would like to volunteer at one of these services and have to yet done so, please contact Helen Riley (hm.riley@gmail.com) or Kristine Wellington (kristinewellington@gmail.com)
This Month/Drawing Group/ Sunday 25 November, 12–2.00pm, Glass Box. Each month for two hours the drawing club will meet and draw together. The aim of this group is to encourage and practice together. Materials, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those beginners who would like it are all provided. So, no previous experience is necessary and all are welcome.
This Month/Celebration Eucharist for Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers)/Tuesday 27 November, 7pm, St Paul’s Cathedral. Come and support Jeff Claxton, Eugene Ling and Ruly Tsang and all who are LLMs as we give thanks for this valuable ministry in the London Diocese. Preacher and President: The Rt Revd Sarah Mulallay, Bishop of London. All are welcome. No tickets needed.
Thank you/Thank you to those who supported last Sunday’s book sale. £130 was raised for Relief in Indonesia. Thank you for your generosity and an extra thank you to those who kindly donated books.
Coming Up/Advent Oasis/ Sunday 2 December, 2–4.00pm, Austen Williams & George Richards Rooms. A time of quiet scripture reflection, prayer and practical art. Art materials will be available for you to explore, play with colour and be creative through collage, painting, drawing or writing. All are very welcome. Please let Jonathan Evens know if you intend to come – t: 020 7766 1127; e: jonathan.evens@smitf.org.
Coming Up/Churches Together in Westminster Advent Service/Sunday 2 December, 6.00pm, St James Piccadilly. All are welcome. The theme is The Beginning is Nigh with Readings and Music for Advent. Wine and refreshments will be served after the service.
