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. What is a prophecy – and who is a prophet? Can we see into the future? Join C-Club to find the answers!
Today/Advent Meditations. A booklet to guide our meditations through the Advent season will be available from the Stewards from this Sunday or from the Vergers during the week for a suggested donation of £3. This year’s Advent theme of ‘Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell’ can feel uncomfortable and uncompromising. Please use the booklet to allow God to speak to you by the Spirit as we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Christ-child.
Today/Christmas Appeal. The 2018 BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal with St Martin-in-the-Fields supporting homeless and vulnerable people was broadcast this morning at 7.55am. If you’d like to make a donation please visit: www.smitfc.org/donate. Throughout December, we would also welcome help opening post, processing donations and sending thank you cards. If you can spare a few hours to help us this year please sign up: www.smitfc.org/volunteer2018. If you fancy joining us for the Christmas Appeal Carol Service on Wednesday 5 December, you can still buy tickets at www.smitfc.org/carols. We hope to see you there!
Today/Inspired to Follow Advent Course/Continuing Sunday 2 December, 12-1pm, Austen Williams Room. This course explores life’s big questions: Death, Judgement, Heaven & Hell. Further date: 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.
Today/Advent Oasis/ Sunday 2 December, 1.30pm–4.00pm, Austen Williams & George Richards Rooms. This ‘Oasis’ time will include 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.
Advent and Christmas Services. The full list of Advent & Christmas services is available on our website and in our whole site brochure. During Advent there will be no Evening Prayer, Monday Choral Evensong or Bread for the World. There will be no ticketing for capacity Christmas services: Nine Lessons and Carols, Joy To the World!, Community Carols and Parish Carols. Doors open 45 mins before the services start and as the church is often full we encourage you to arrive in plenty of time to be certain of a seat. We look forward to welcoming all of our visitors over this Advent and Christmas season.
Next Week/Blessing of the Crib in Trafalgar Square/Sunday 9 December, 5.30pm. Join us for the blessing of our Trafalgar Square Crib and an exciting dramatization of the Christmas Story with music by Lakeside Brass and the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and a live donkey. The collection will go to the BBC Radio 4 St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal launched today. Please come and support us.
Next Week/Junior Theology/Sunday 9 December, 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.
Saying goodbye… Helena Tarrant, who has been our Church Coordinator for the last two years, is moving on to pastures new on 11 December. We are very grateful indeed to Helena for all she has done at St Martin’s in supporting the congregation, PCC and clergy. We wish her all the very best for the future as she goes to take up the role of PA to the CEO of Richmond Chamber of Commerce and develop her creative work. There is a card with the vergers if you would like to sign it. The post of Church Coordinator is currently being advertised on our website, with a closing date of Monday 10 December.
Coming Up/Open Circle Christmas Party/Saturday 15 December, 7pm. Members (old-timers as well as first-timers) of our relaxed, friendly community of young people (20s-30s+) are warmly invited to the Open Circle Christmas Party at the home of Ivan Yuen in Canada Water. There will be a bring-and-share supper, mulled wine, Christmas music and festive cheer – Christmas jumpers and board games are encouraged. For more information or to RSVP, please email stmartinsopencircle@gmail.com or speak to Francesco Aresco.
Coming Up/Archers Turkish Christmas Supper/Wednesday 19 December, 7.00pm. Please give your names to Michael Moran if you would like to join us for an Archers Christmas Party at his favourite Turkish Restaurant near his home in Edmonton: mtj_moran@yahoo.co.uk; 07776271064 (£25 including drinks.)
Coming Up/Joint Event with our Chinese Community/Thursday 17 January, 6.30pm, St Martin’s Hall. The talk (in English) will be followed by a drinks reception. Rosemary Scott will speak on the meaning of decoration on Chinese Ceramics. Free tickets from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-meaning-of-decoration-on-chinese-ceramics-tickets-51544286348 or phone Jonathan Evens on 020 7766 1127 and leave your name and phone number.
Coming Up/Theology Away Day/ Saturday 9 February, 9.30am-4.00pm. Led by Revd Dr Sam Wells. The theme is ‘How Does Jesus Save Us?’ No theological training necessary. The Away Day will be held at the Royal Foundation of St Katherine’s, London E14 8DS, at the subsidised price of £25 with lunch and all refreshments included. Flyers will be available shortly, but to register your place, email georgina.illingworth@smitf.org.
Great Sacred Music. A weekly podcast from St Martin-in-the-Fields. Each Monday Revd Dr Sam Wells offers a short reflection, followed by a hymn or choral piece sung by St Martin’s Voices. To listen, visit www.soundcloud.com/greatsacredmusic or subscribe via iTunes podcasts.
