Parish News/Diary/ Special Notices
NEXT SUNDAY/February 23, we welcome Revd Harry Ching as our Assistant Vicar for International Ministry. He will be present for our 10am Eucharist where Sam Wells will preach about what his appointment means for St Martin’s. There will be a joint lunch for our English and Chinese congregations at 11.30am and The Bishop of London will join us. At 1pm we will return upstairs for Harry’s licensing service, which will be in Cantonese, English and Mandarin. All are welcome to this day of celebration as we step into a closer union between our congregations.
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/Exploring Faith course/Confirmation course continues (today in the Tutu and Benenson rooms) Sundays 12.00-1.30pm including a full afternoon of Sunday 1 March. This is an opportunity for those wishing to explore the Christian faith for the first time or wishing to be Confirmed this year to explore Christianity within the particular inclusive theology that we share at St Martin’s. Lunch is provided.
Today/Disability Advisory Group, 12-2pm, Austen Williams Room. Termly open meeting for people with insight or interest in physical, sensory, cognitive or mental health issues including a bring and share lunch. Ally Hargreaves, our Executive Director, will be leading a conversation on accessibility and Building Futures. For more information, please contact Fiona MacMillan or Jonathan Evens.
Tomorrow/Insights from History for a Divided Nation, Monday 17 February, 7.00-8.30pm. Diarmaid MacCulloch author, historian, broadcaster and Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, in conversation with Roger Bolton, with a response from Revd Dr Sam Wells. Book your free ticket at: http://stmartininthefields.eventbrite.com
Book now/Theology Awayday/Saturday 21 March. Led by Revd Dr Sam Wells. The theme is ‘Improvising the Kingdom’. No theological training necessary. The Awayday will be held at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London E14 8DS, at the subsidised price of £25 with lunch and all refreshments included. Flyers are available in church or online: http://www.bit.ly/2tlRuOQ
This Week/Bread for the World/Wednesday 20 February, 6.30pm: our informal Eucharist service with prayer, music, word and reflection, followed by food and fellowship. The reflection will be given by Paul Dayes, founder of Exit Foundation: an organisation dedicated to providing support to those ready to exit a life of crime and gang-related activity.
This week/ Theology Book Group/Wednesday 19 February at 8pm, after Bread for the World. We shall be reading Francis Spufford, Unapologetic. It’s available from the shop at St Martin’s.
Next week/Drawing Group, Sunday 23 February, 12-2.00pm, George Richards & Austen Williams rooms. Materials, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those who would like it are all provided. No previous experience is necessary.
Lent Course: The Desert in the City. Using Richard Carter’s new book The City is my Monastery: A contemporary rule of life. This course focuses on how we might deepen our lives of contemplation and action in the heart of the city. It’s about being caught up in the infectious holiness of God and inspired to live the gospel here and now. The sessions run every Wednesday of Lent and Ash Wednesday 26 February: With Silence, With Service, With Sacrament, With Scripture, With Sabbath, With Sharing and Staying With. For more information and to sign up, pick up a leaflet in church or visit: http://bit.ly/2ZcljTm.
The changing monthly display by St Martin’s artists’ and craftspeople’s group in the Foyer of the Crypt for February is by Ruth Hutchinson. Each month a different member of the group of artists linked to it will show examples of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.
Coming up/St Oscar Romero Ecumenical Service, 28 March, 11am. A service to celebrate the life and influence of this important 20th century saint who campaigned for radical social inclusion.
Save the date/Parish Weekend. This year 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; more information about the weekend to follow soon.
Silent Retreat Weekend, 13-15 March, is now fully booked.
Creche volunteers. Following Diocese advice, we explored the possibility of volunteer-led creche provision. We did not have enough volunteers for this however, we are exploring some abitious plans for increased children’s provision for the autumn. Speak to Revd Sally Hitchiner if you’d like to be part of the discussion.
