Church Services and Events January April 2019 www.smitf.org
Welcome to St Martin s Easter this year falls on 21 April. It s the hinge of the year: for six weeks before it we mark the disciplines of Lent and the intensity of Holy Week; for seven weeks after it we mark the celebration of the resurrection. For St Martin s, highlights of this season include the Lent Study Programme, which this year explores the Confessions of St Augustine, the first autobiography, and a wonderful blend of personal recollection and theology. Our attention focuses on the services to mark Jesus Last Supper and crucifixion; this year Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Loughborough, is the preacher at our Three-Hour Passion service on Good Friday. The Palm Sunday passion drama is always a highlight of the year, and of course everything builds towards the celebration of Easter morning at dawn and at 10.00am. A special part of our congregational life is our regular Theology Group. On 9 February we have a Theology Day exploring the many understandings of how Jesus saves us. Each Wednesday we have our Bread for the World service, and each Thursday at our 35-minute Great Sacred Music event. Find out more about Great Sacred Music and our concerts on our website and our new concerts brochure. Whatever you re doing at St Martin s sightseeing, worshiping, shopping or taking a rest do make the most of the breadth of our life by joining a free lunchtime concert, sampling our value-for-money food in the Café in the Crypt, or trying out a brass rubbing. We are delighted to welcome you into the heart of this vibrant community. Whatever you re doing at St Martin s we are delighted to welcome you into the heart of this vibrant community. Revd Dr Sam Wells Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields
Worship at St Martin s Sunday 6 January Epiphany Carols 5.00pm With reflections by Revd Dr Sam Wells and music by the Choir of St Martin-in-the- Fields. Followed by Sacred Space at 7.00pm. Sunday 27 January Homelessness Sunday 10.00am In this service we reflect upon the increasing rise in the number of people who are homeless in our society and the struggles they face. What can we do to help and what can we learn from them about our society and the Gospel. Preacher Revd Dr Sam Wells. Sunday 17 February Giving Sunday 10.00am An opportunity to review our giving to St Martin-in-the-Fields and to hear from members of the congregation about their own experiences of supporting St Martin s. Saturday 9 March Time to Talk A Service of Reflection for Those Affected by Suicide 10.30am A 60-minute sequence of words and music to offer space, solidarity and opportunity to reflect and connect for those affected by suicide, followed by a reception with tea/coffee and an opportunity to link to organisations offering advice and support. Saturday 16 March Saint Oscar Romero Ecumenical Service 11.00am In October 2018 Archbishop Oscar Romero was canonised by Pope Francis in Rome. This year s ecumenical service celebrates his sainthood and the inspiring influence St Oscar Romero has had on the whole church and his voice for the voiceless. All are welcome as we come to celebrate his legacy and be challenged by his vision for social justice. Lent, Holy Week and Easter Wednesdays in Lent: 13, 20, 27 March, 3, 10, 17 April Lent Study Course for 2019 For Lent this year we will be studying The Confessions of St Augustine, one of the greatest spiritual autobiographies which has had a huge impact on the Christian Church. A fresh translation by Benignus O Rourke OSA, which sheds new light on Augustine s spiritual journey, shows that it still has huge relevance for today. It is A canticle to God, full of psychological insights, which tells the story of a soul, and also the story of God, and how he is constantly at work seeking us. The Lent Course will take place each Wednesday in Lent from 13 March- 17 April. The evening begins with a community Eucharist at in which each week different chapters of Confessions are introduced, followed by a simple shared supper and then study/listening groups. The cost of the whole Lent Programme is 15 which includes a copy of the book and study guide. All are welcome. Please register for the course using the flyers available at the back of the church or online at www.smitf.org Sunday 24 March Schools Service 10.00am Our annual schools service celebrating the life and witness of the two schools founded at St Martin s in the seventeenth century and now based south of the river, Archbishop Tenison s School, Kennington, and St Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls, Tulse Hill. Saint Oscar Romero
Worship for Lent, Holy Week and Easter at St Martin s Wednesday 6 March Ash Wednesday Said Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes Choral Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes Preacher: Revd Richard Carter Sung Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes Preacher: Revd Richard Carter Sunday 14 April Palm Sunday 9.45am Palm Sunday Procession We meet at the corner of St James s Park near Admiralty Arch. Join the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Salvation Army Band for a procession with palms, led by a donkey, into church. 10.00am Eucharist With Passion Gospel Drama Service in Mandarin (No Choral Evensong at 5.00pm) 5.00pm From Creation to Salvation A powerful service of readings and music as we enter into Holy Week, telling the story of salvation, with the Choir of St Martin s. This page: Passion Gospel Drama Opposite page: Palm Sunday Procession Monday 15 April Holy Week 4.30pm Holy Communion (DSC*) Choral Evensong Alternative Stations of the Cross (DSC and Lightwell) Tuesday 16 April Holy Week Meditation on the Cross (DSC) Wednesday 17 April Holy Week Choral Eucharist Bread for the World in Holy Week Thursday 18 April Maundy Thursday Friday 19 April Good Friday Great Sacred Music Maundy Thursday Liturgy Preacher: Revd Richard Carter 10.00am Good Friday Service for All Ages 12noon The Three Hours 3.00pm The Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Loughborough is the preacher in this service of reflections on the passion of Christ. With the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields. 12noon The Passion of Jesus, & 3.15pm Trafalgar Square A free open air play presented by a cast from the Wintershall Estate at 12noon and 3.15pm. Saturday 20 April Holy Saturday 9.00am Sunday 21 April Easter Day 5.30am The Easter Vigil and the First Eucharist of Easter 10.00am Easter Eucharist Preacher: Revd Dr Sam Wells With the Choir of St Martin-in-the- Fields Service in Mandarin 5.00pm Choral Evensong with the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields Sunday 28 April Easter 2 10.00am Eucharist Preacher: Revd Dr Sam Wells Service in Mandarin 5.00pm Choral Evensong DSC* Dick Sheppard Chapel
Events and Courses Weekly Worship Sundays Sundays: 6, 27 Jan, 17 Feb, 10 March, 7 April Theology Group Austen Williams Room 12noon- Each time a different member of our community takes the chair and raises questions about truth, faith and justice. Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin s and Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King s College, London, responds, explaining the theological reasoning of his answers, before the whole group engages with the questions themselves. Thursday 17 January The meaning of decoration on Chinese Ceramics An illustrated talk (in English) by Rosemary Scott St Martin s Hall Rosemary Scott is Senior International Academic Consultant to the Asian Art department at Christie s. All are very welcome. Free tickets are available on Eventbrite. Saturday 9 February Theology Day How Jesus Saves Us Royal Foundation of St Katharine s, 2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS Led by Revd Dr Sam Wells. ( 25 for the day including lunch) Please see flyer or the website for further details and to register. All are welcome. 22-24 February Silent Retreat Nazareth and the Silent Years Saint Columba s House, Maybury Hill, Woking, Surrey GU22 8AB Led by Brother Sam SSF and Revd Richard Carter. The Retreat is open to all members of the Nazareth Community and members of St Martin-in-the-Fields. 150 for the weekend including full board. Please see flyer or the website for further details and to register. Sundays: 6 January, 3 February, 3 March, 7 April Sacred Space 7.00pm On the first Sunday of the month at 7.00pm we invite you to Sacred Space, a time of silence, reflection, music and prayer to draw close to God and experience stillness and peace at the heart of this city. With the prayers of the Taizé community. Wednesdays Bread for the World A weekly informal Eucharist on Wednesdays, open to everyone who is seeking a deeper sense of community and the opportunity to question and discover more about the Christian faith through prayer, music, word and reflection. With the Choral Scholars of St Martin s. Followed by fellowship. Thursdays Great Sacred Music Revd Dr Sam Wells explores through word and song, reading and prayer, the great classical music of our religious heritage with St Martin s Voices. See our concerts brochure and website for details. 10.00am Parish Eucharist Service in Mandarin 5.00pm Choral Evensong 7.00pm Sacred Space (1st Sunday of the month) Mondays 4.30pm Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays Saturdays 9.00am Choral Evensong Evening Prayer (DSC) Choral Eucharist Bread For the World Great Sacred Music Evening Prayer (DSC) Evening Prayer (DSC) Traditional Chinese Ceramic plate Revd Dr Sam Wells As well as our regular daily service times, the Dick Sheppard Chapel (DSC), at the far end of the lower crypt, is available for prayer throughout the week.
Shop at St Martin s You re only 20 steps away from London s hidden Café and a whole lot more Discover religious gifts, thought-provoking books and Fair Trade and British-made collections. Visit www.smitf.org/shop for opening hours or to make a purchase from our online shop. Traditional Brass Rubbing Using specialist paper, waxes, a choice of over 100 brasses and some help from the St Martin s team you can create your own work of art. Visit www.smitf.org/brassrubbing for opening hours. And don t forget all profits from the Café, Shop and Brass Rubbing support the work of St Martin s. Café in the Crypt Open for light breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Visit www.smitf.org/cafe for opening hours and read what our customers think about us on TripAdvisor.
Our doors are open to all For a quick coffee, a lifetime of discovery and everything in between. Please help us build a better future together. www.smitf.org/support-us/ St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH Web: www.smitf.org Box Office: 020 7766 1100 Facebook: /stmartininthefields Twitter: @smitf_london