Dear all
It was such a joy to welcome the Georgia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Uzee Brown Society of Choraliers and the London African Gospel Choir to our church on Tuesday, and to hear their life-affirming choral singing and see them living out their message of fellowship and unity. Many of us were very moved by the music, and honoured that they had chosen to include us in their tour of the UK and Ireland. Photos can be found on the Gallery page of our website. The summer sun has definitely arrived, and with it the midsummer festival of St John the Baptist on Tuesday, and next Sunday (29th) the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, the pillars of the Christian Church. In honour of Peter and Paul, there will be a Choral Eucharist next Sunday at 9.30 am. This week is also London's Climate Action week, with events taking place across the Borough. As we remember Peter and Paul on Sunday, planting seeds of faith across the world, we shall also think of God’s gift to us in his creation and our responsibility for stewarding its resources for the benefit of all his people now and for generations to come. This may seem a very early announcement for September, but our Patronal Festival this year falls on Sunday 7th September, the first Sunday back after the holidays, and I wonder if I could ask you to put it in your diary now. The Patronal Festival is the day we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whom our church is named, and also give thanks for all those who have contributed to the parish’s long history of worship and care over the centuries, and all of you who continue to make it a wonderful witness to God’s glory and love today. Because this is a “whole parish” event, there will be NO 9.30 Eucharist on 7th September, but instead a Festal Choral Eucharist at 11.15 am (with provision for children), followed by a celebratory picnic. We have invited as preacher Canon Adrian Daffern, the Church of England’s Senior Officer for Cathedrals and Major Churches, who works with the Major Churches Network, of which St Mary Abbots is a member. As the holidays approach, please could we ask you to remember those for whom the lack of school meals over the summer can be difficult and consider donating to our Foodbank collection? Just leave any donations in the box at the church door, or take it to the Vestry. Thank you so much. We continue as a church to pray for God’s peace and justice in these anxious times, and our thoughts go out to those in our congregations who have relatives and friends in areas of conflict. O God of all hope and peace, we bring to you the needs of our broken and hurting world. Our hearts are breaking with images of lives lost and torn apart by grief. We pray for an end to violence and warfare so that the challenging work of rebuilding may begin. Help us, O Lord, to affirm our common humanity so that in our differences we may build together for justice and peace. In Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Church of England website: Topical Prayers] With my love and prayers Mother Emma 21st June 2025 |
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The PCC of St Mary Abbots Church
Charity No: 1132235 |
