Sunday 9 February The Third Sunday before Lent

Parish News/Diary/Special Notices

Revd Harry Ching to become Assistant Vicar for International Ministry. St Martin’s is delighted to announce the appointment of Revd Harry Ching as Assistant Vicar for International Ministry. His licensing by the Bishop of London will take place at 1pm on Sunday 23 February. All are welcome. After the retirement of Revd Paul Lau, the Chinese congregation became formally part of St Martin’s, under the aegis of St Martin’s PCC, for the first time. Funds are not available to pay for a full-time stipendiary priest, so the Chinese community is partnering with the PCC for a joint appointment. Harry’s role will involve shepherding the Chinese congregation but also having a particular ministry to international members of St Martin’s, with out overseas partners, and with the international dimension of HeartEdge.

Today/Children’s C-Club Programme, 11.30am, Dick Shepherd Chapel. Join us to learn some more about today’s readings and colour with your friends.

Today/Exploring Faith course/Confirmation course begins today for ten weeks, Sundays 12.00-1.30pm including a full afternoon on 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. Please talk to Revd Sally Hitchiner for more details.

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

Next week/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, will be in conversation with Roger Bolton, with a response from the Revd Dr Sam Wells. Organised by the Religion Media Centre in partnership with St Martin-in-the-Fields. Book your free ticket at: http://stmartininthefields.eventbrite.com

This week/Bread for the World/Wednesday 13 February, 6.30pm: our informal Eucharist service with prayer, music, word and reflection, followed by food and fellowship. Revd James Hughesdon from St Paul Old Ford, and a member of HeartEdge, will be speaking about urban mission.

Next week/ Disability Advisory Group/Sunday 16 February, 12-2pm, Austen Williams Room. This termly open meeting gathers people with insight or experience of physical, sensory, cognitive or mental health issues to help shape our vision and work. All are welcome to join us, including bring & share lunch. Future dates are 21 June and 6 September. If you’d like to know more, please speak to Fiona MacMillan or Jonathan Evens, or email disability@smitf.org.

Next week/Theology Book Group/ The next meeting is on 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.

Lent Course: The Desert in the City. Using Richard Carter’s new book The City is my Monastery: A contemporary rule of Life. For more information and to sign up, pick up a leaflet in church or visit: http://bit.ly/2ZcljTm.

Creche volunteers. Following Diocese advice, we are exploring the possibility of volunteered-led creche provision. If you would be interested in being part of our team looking after pre-school children during Sunday services, please contact harriet.merz@smitf.org by 16 February for more information on the application process.

Silent Retreat Weekend, 13-15 March, is now fully booked.

Reflections on ‘Britain’ and ‘Europe’. The Archive team have put together two pertinent articles: a piece from the 1963 St Martin’s Review and the sermon given by Revd Dr Sam Wells for All Saints, 2018. Copies are available from Michael Hellyer after today’s service or by contacting the Archives Team: archives@smitf.org/020 7766 1126.

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 or artists linked to it will show examples of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.

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.

St Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg Visit. A group of 12 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. If you think you may be able to help in any way (providing accommodation or a meal, taking the group out for a meal, or funding a meal) please talk to Jonathan Evens.