Dear all
At last we can give thanks for some beautiful spring weather, and it has been wonderful to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension with you today, both at the School Eucharist and the lunchtime Choral Eucharist. We are now in the season of Ascensiontide, during which we are urged to pray earnestly for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, to bless, guide, inspire and comfort us. This coming Sunday will be a particular cause for celebration as we baptise Maximus, Raphael and Matthew at the 9.30 am Eucharist. This Sunday has also been designated “Bell Sunday” by the Central Council of Church Bellringers, and we shall be incorporating appropriate hymns and prayers for our own Guild of Bellringers into our services. Members of the Guild will be speaking to us briefly at start of the Eucharist and at the end of Matins and Evensong about their role in the life of our church, as well as in the soundscape of Kensington, and will be extending an invitation to visit the belltower on Thursday 30th May at 7pm. Space in the bell tower is limited so please book in advance HERE - ticket will be available after Sunday's Evensong. Also this Sunday evening (the second of the month), we invite anyone who would like to join the voluntary choir which leads Evensong to arrive at 5 pm, to rehearse for the 5.30 pm service. This has been a wonderful enhancement to our evening worship; it gives people the opportunity to sing familiar canticles or to be introduced to Anglican chant for the first time, and we would be delighted to see anyone interested. As I mentioned last week, we shall be embarking on a Parish Prayer Walk at 9.30 am on Tuesday 14th May from the church, and warmly invite you to join us as we pray for the blessing of all who live, work or worship in our parish. If you would like to join us for this and for coffee and croissants afterwards then please let us know. The Feast of Pentecost at the end of this period (Sunday 19th May) will be celebrated with choral services at the Eucharist and Matins, and at the start of the 9.30 am service, we shall start with a procession from the West Doors – please do arrive in time to join us! Fr Peter Galloway will be preaching for us at Matins on that day. Besides the talk being given by Fr Evan and Fr Tony at the Carmelite Church on Saturday 18th (entrance is free, tickets and info will be available HERE) our summer concert programme continues with concerts on Wednesday 19th June and Wednesday 26th June both at 7pm. Tickets are £15 and the programme and biographies can be found on the ‘what is on’ website page. We do hope that the summery weather will inspire you to look ahead to our Summer Garden Party, sponsored by Knight Frank, on Saturday 8th June; to make sure it is in your diary, and if you are able, to contribute through volunteering on the day, donating raffle prizes or baking cakes. Please contact Leonora if you are able to help in any way. I look forward very much to seeing you during this exciting period for the church. Come, O Spirit of God, and make within us your dwelling place and home. May our darkness be dispelled by your light and our troubles calmed by your peace; may all evil be redeemed by your love, all pain transformed through the suffering of Christ, and all dying glorified in his risen life. Amen (Common Worship, Night Prayer for Ascensiontide) With my love and prayers Mother Emma 9th May 2024 |
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