Dear friends,
Last week on Tuesday I boarded my flight to Sofia with an Archbishop of Canterbury securely in post; some hours later that day I landed, and the Most Rev’d Justin Welby had resigned. Power, position and authority in this world are mercurial elements, which come and go with astonishing speed. But Christ’s is an everlasting kingship, whose authority and dominion we will celebrate this weekend, on the Solemnity of Christ the King. Our guest preacher at the 10.30am Mass on Sunday will be the Rev’d Dr Barry Orford, an honorary assistant priest in the parish of Christ Church, Hampstead and sometime Priest-Librarian of Pusey House, Oxford; this Mass will include a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction – and will be followed by sparkling refreshments, to mark the conclusion of the Church’s liturgical year.
The reason for Archbishop Justin’s departure was justified public anger at his failure to do more to respond to allegations of serious sexual abuse against young people by the late John Smyth. Fr Mike spoke about this sad and sensitive subject last week on “Safeguarding Sunday”, but it behoves me to remind our entire parish community that the Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of everyone. I encourage those who have been asked to undertake formal Safeguarding training to complete this promptly; and I remind you that any Safeguarding concerns may be shared with me or Fr Mike, or with our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Joanna Service. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, for to such belongs the kingdom of God‘; and he took them in his arms, and blessed them: may we likewise, as the Body of Christ, be in turn the protecting arms of Christ around the little children and the most vulnerable among us.
However, before that – on Saturday – we have our “Countdown to Christmas” Table Top Market in the Hall, 10.30am-5pm. If you can spare a moment to help set up the Hall on Friday evening (at around 6pm), and/or can assist on the day, please speak to Johnette or Bernadette. Otherwise, please do support this very special event – and please do spread the word!
We extend our condolences, and the assurance of our prayers, to the family of the late Dr Saroja Rajan, who died last week on Tuesday: her funeral Mass will be in church on Monday next week, 25 November at 9.30am (to which all are welcome); afterwards will follow a further service at St Pancras & Islington Cemetery Burial Chapel at 12 noon, before the interment. May she rest in peace.
We pray also for the repose of the soul of the late Audrey Munday, sometime member of our congregation at St Mary’s, whose funeral will take place on Monday, 2 December at 1.30pm at St Bartholomew’s Church in Rogate.
Please bring to church this weekend any final donations in support of this month’s charity collection for the Alzheimer’s Society; there will also be a basket for your donations towards this year’s Christmas flowers.
Please find attached to this message details of this year’s Action by Christians against Torture (ACAT) Christmas campaign, encouraging those who wish to to send a Christmas card to those detained or threatened for their convictions and beliefs. This document explains various ways in which we can remember those in particular need this Christmas – and I would be grateful to know if any of our congregation decides to support this initiative. Please also find attached an invitation from Bishop Jonathan to his Patronal Festival at St Andrew, Holborn next week on Wednesday, 27 November at 7pm (at which the guest preacher will be the Rt Rev’d the Bishop of Oswestry; this Mass will be followed by drinks and supper), as well as an invitation from our friend and neighbour in Hatch End, Fr David Green (Vicar of St Anselm’s), to next year’s Men’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham: please contact me for further information, or to book.
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord,
Fr Richard