Christmas Pastoral Care. If Christmas is a difficult time for you please feel able to come forward for prayer at the end of our Sunday morning service or speak to any member of the clergy. Although it is a busy time, we want to be there for each other.
Today/Children’s C-Club Programme, 11.30am, Dick Sheppard Chapel. Join us to learn some more about today’s readings and colour with your friends.
Today/Advent Meditations: Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord. A booklet to guide our meditations through the Advent season will be available from the Stewards after the service and from the Vergers during the week for a suggested donation of £3.
Today/Inspired to Follow Advent Course, 12.00-1.00pm today and continuing 22 December, Austen Williams Room. We will use fine art paintings from the National Gallery, along with the Biblical characters, theological reflection and conversation with others.
Today/Christmas Flowers. At the end of the 10am service today there will be a collection for the flowers to decorate the church for Christmas.
Christmas Appeal. If you’d like to make a donation to the 2019 BBC Radio 4 Christmas Appeal, 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 contact joe.peduzzi@stmartinscharity.org.uk.
Bread for the World/Advent and Christmas Break. Please note that due to all our Advent and Christmas Services there is no Bread for the World until Wednesday 8 January.
The Prayer List will be refreshed for the new year. Please let Richard Carter know of anyone you wish to be included (020 7766 1103 or richard.carter@smitf.org).
Mission Action Plan. St Martin’s created its first cross-site Mission Action Plan in 2014, and has reiterated the process in 2016 and 2018. Mission Action Plans are required by the Diocese of London, and are helpful for enabling a church to set itself targets for new activity, budget for them, and make its plans transparent to its congregation and wider community. The process has been very fruitful at St Martin’s. It’s time to create a 2020-22 SMAP. If you have ideas for St Martin’s could develop its existing activities, start up new projects, or become a better organisation, please speak to Sam, the Vicar, or email sam.wells@smitf.org, by December 15.
This week/Thursday 19 December/Archers’ Turkish Christmas Dinner at Krevan Sofasi restaurant in Edmonton N97EP. We will gather at Michael Moran’s House at 7.00pm for 7.30pm at the restaurant. Cost of the meal £25. All are welcome. Please contact Michael to book a place or for further information of how to get there (07776271064; mtj_moran@yahoo.co.uk).
Crèche at St Martin’s. We have ended our agreement with the workers providing crèche provision for the Sunday 10am Parish Eucharist. Thank you for bearing with us and welcoming our youngest congregation members into our Parish Eucharist until we have re-recruited in the New Year.
Coming Up/Drawing Group, Sunday 5 January, 12 – 2.00pm, George Richards & Austen Williams rooms. Each month for two hours the drawing group meets to draw together. The aim of the group is to encourage and practice together. Materials, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those who would like it are all provided. No previous experience is necessary and all are welcome.
Coming Up/Epiphany Carols, Sunday 5 January, 5.00pm. Join us for our evening celebrations featuring readings and music for this season of light, discovery, miracle and revelation. With reflections by Revd Jonathan Evens and music from the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Joint event with our Chinese Congregations. ‘Picturing the Buddha’, Thursday 16 January 2020, 6.30pm, St Martin’s Hall. Illustrated talk (in English) discussing depictions of the Buddha in Chinese Art. Talk by Beth McKillop, Senior research fellow, Victoria & Albert Museum. Register on Eventbrite (https://bit.ly/2pErMZT) or contact Jonathan Evens (020 7766 1127 or jonathan.evens@smitf.org).
The changing monthly display by St Martin’s artists’ and craftspeople’s group in the Foyer of the Crypt for December is by Rae Gillott. Each month a different member of the group or artists linked to it will show examples of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.
St Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg Visit. A group of young people and adult leaders from St Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg will visit St Martin’s from 6-22 April 2020 and we need people to help host this group by offering accommodation or evening meals. If you think you may be able to help please talk to or email Revd Jonathan Evens or Jess White.
Save the date/Parish Weekend next year. In 2020 we will once more return to Worth Abbey for our Parish Weekend. Due to availability of Worth Abbey the time has moved to August 14-16. Save the date for a wonderful weekend away at which all at St Martin’s are welcome. More information about the weekend to follow in the new year.
