This year’s Lent Appeal 2018 will go to support St Martin-in-the-Fields Relief in Need Charity which for over 40 years provided help for members of St Martin’s parish and community through times of need and financial crisis in their lives by providing small monthly or emergency grants. It is a small, discrete charity, with no administration costs which allows all the money raised to go directly and confidentially to those going through difficult times, many of whom are facing crisis, destitution and homelessness. For further information please see flyer or contact Rod Beadles or Revd Richard, St Martin-in-the-Fields Relief in Need Charity, 5 St Martin’s Place, London, Wc2N4JH or e-mail: richard.carter@smitf.org; or rodbeadles@gmail.com. There will be a retiring collection for this charity at the end of today’s 10.00am service. Please give generously.

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/at the 10.00am Eucharist members of the new Nazareth Community will make their promise of commitment and be blessed for their first year following a path of silence, sacrament, compassionate service, study and sharing. Please keep them in your prayers.

Today/Prayers for Healing with anointing and laying on of hands are offered by our healing team following the 10.00am service each Sunday in the sanctuary.

Today/Children’s Programme. C-Club will be meeting as usual, in the Dick Sheppard Chapel from 11:30-12noon. This week, we’ll be looking forward to our involvement in the Easter services.

Today/after the 10.00am Eucharist in St Martin’s Hall there will be a book launch for members of the congregation for Who is my Neighbour: the Global and Personal Challenge. This book published by SPCK this year and edited by Richard Carter and Sam Wells, includes chapters by them both and is based on St Martin’s Autumn Lecture Series and includes Rowan Williams, Justin Welby and Sarah Coakley.

Today/Inspired to Follow: Art and the Bible Story, 12.00noon in the Austen Williams Room, looking at Heinrich Olivier’s ‘Abraham and Isaac’. An opportunity to engage with a painting from the National Gallery’s collection, Biblical story and a theological reflection, in conversation with others. Speak with Alastair McKay for further information.

Today/Advent Oasis, 2.00-4.00pm, George Richards & Austen Williams Rooms. Another ‘Oasis’ 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 Helena Tarrant know if you wish to come: tel: 020 7766 1100 or email: helena.tarrant@smitf.org.

Confirmation at St Martin’s. Preparation for adults will take place on Sundays 12noon-1.15pm on 18, March, 15, 22 April, 13, 27 May, 3 June in the Benenson Room. The Confirmation service will take place on Sunday 10 June with the Bishop of Stepney, the Rt Revd Adrian Newman. If you would like to join the group please contact Revd Katherine Hedderly: katherine.hedderly@smitf.org / 0207 766 1102.

Contemplative Prayer, 6.55–8.00am, Mon & Thurs (7.55–9.00am Sat). Meet outside the North East door. If you would like to join this group, please contact richard.carter@smitf.org.

Lent Course 2018: Abiding. Based on Ben Quash’s wonderful Lent Book: Abiding. Wednesdays in Lent and Holy Week until 28 March from 6.30-8.45pm. This week Alastair McKay leads the reflection Wounds that abide. Study materials are still available from the vergers’ vestry (£8, inc. the course) or you can collect your study material at the next session.For further information and your last chance to register please contact georgina.illingworth@smitf.org / 020 7766 1143.

Palm Sunday/London Landmarks Half Marathon. On Sunday 25 March there will be significant road closures around Trafalgar Square for the LLHM with 10,000 runners taking part. The race begins on Pall Mall with a staggered start 9.30am-10.30am, goes across the North Terrace of Trafalgar Square and along Duncanon Street south of the church. Our Palm Sunday procession will be going ahead as usual, gathering behind Admiralty Arch at 9.45am and we have been working with organisers to make this possible. However it will mean that access across the route will need to be managed. Last crossing time from church to Admiralty Arch is 9.20am. You are advised to go straight to the procession start rather than coming via church. Stewards please make contact with Kristine Wellington about the plans and briefing for the day. More details to follow. www.llhm.co.uk.

Drawing Club, Sunday 25 March, 12.00–2.00pm, Glass Box, No.5 Church Path. Each month for two hours the drawing club will meet and draw together. The aim of this new group is to encourage and practice together. There will be materials provided, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those beginners who would like it. So, no previous experience is necessary and all are welcome. Please meet Jonathan in the Hall at 11.55am to get access to No 5.

Meditation Group, Tuesday 27 March, 6.30pm in the Dick Sheppard Chapel. The meditation group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. All welcome.

Forgiveness in Text and Life, Monday 23 April, 7.00pm, together with the Council of Christians and Jews. An exploration of the nature of forgiveness in Judaism and Christianity with Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, Senior Rabbi at West London Synagogue..

Theology Away Day, Saturday 28 April, 9.30-4.00pm: The Heart of it All: Making the Bible your Own. An exciting day led by Revd Dr Sam Wells- regardless of previous knowledge, to enter the world of the Bible thoughtfully, experientially, critically and prayerfully. A day at the Royal Foundation of St Katherine’s, London E14 8DS. At the subsidised price of £25 with lunch and all refreshments included. Flyers with application form are available at the back of the church online www.smitf.org. Book now to avoid disappointment. For further information contact: helena.tarrant@smitf.org or phone 020 7766 1126.

PCC and Churchwarden Elections. At the Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 29 April this year there will be elections for churchwardens (who are elected for one year, up to a maximum of six) and PCC members (who are elected for three years, renewable once). Adrian Harris, after two years as churchwarden, has indicated he does not plan to stand again this year. Two PCC members’ terms expire this year. If you are interested in standing as churchwarden or as PCC member, please speak to the vicar or the current churchwardens.

The changing monthly display by the artists and craftspeoples group in the Foyer of the Crypt for March is Sarah Sikorski. Each month a different member of the group will show an example of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.

The Parish Pipeline email goes out once a week with stories and information from around St Martin’s. Subscribe on www.smitf.org or by emailing sam.whyte@smitf.org.

Sacred Moments. 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 SoundCloud or subscribe via iTunes podcasts.