Sunday 11 February, The Sunday next before Lent

Today/Crèche at St Martin’s. For the 0-4 age group, with trained childcare leaders, takes place in the Austen Williams Room every Sunday. Please ask a steward to show you where to go.

Today/Prayers for Healing with anointing and laying on of hands are offered by our healing team following the 10.00am service each Sunday in the sanctuary.

Today/Children’s Programme. C-Club will be meeting as usual, in the Dick Sheppard Chapel from 11:30am-12noon. We will be creating images from the Transfiguration Gospel reading.

Today/Drawing Club, Sunday 11 February, 12.00-2.00pm, Archive Space. Each month for two hours the drawing club will meet and draw together. The aim of this new group is to encourage and practice together. There will be materials provided, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those beginners who would like it. So no previous experience is necessary and all welcome.

This week/Faith in the Questions, Monday 12 February, 7.00pm. This evening offers a performance of a new one-act play, Counting the Clouds, followed by a conversation. The play, performed by Riding Lights, tells the story of a scientist who’s a Christian, wrestling with the structure of the universe, when his personal life is shaken to the core. The conversation that follows gives people a chance to ask their own questions of leading scientists. Free tickets, via EventBrite.

This week/Meditation Group, Tuesday 13 February, 6.30pm in the Dick Sheppard Chapel. The meditation group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. All welcome.

This week/Ash Wednesday, 14 February. There will be an 8.30am Eucharist, a Choral Eucharist at 1.00pm and Bread for the World at 6.30pm. All these services will include the Imposition of Ashes.

A small group for Contemplative Prayer meets, 7–8am, Mon-Thurs (8–9am Sat) from 17 February. If you would like to join this group, please contact richard.carter@smitf.org.

Chinese New Year Celebration, Sunday 18 February. The Chinese Speaking Congregation will be holding a Chinese New Year Lunch Party Celebration on Sunday 18 February in the Lightwell between 11.00am and 1.00pm. There will be introductions, demonstrations and performances of Chinese Arts and Cultures, in addition to the provisions of Chinese Food. All members of the English Speaking Congregation are cordially invited to join in and share in this joyful thanksgiving occasion to God in welcoming the Year of the Dog.

Inspired to Follow: Art and the Bible Story, Sunday 18 February, 12.00pm in the Austen Williams Room, looking at Gethsemane and Bellini’s ‘Agony in the Garden’. An opportunity to engage with a painting from the National Gallery’s collection, Biblical story and a theological reflection, in conversation with others. These sessions are intended to deepen an understanding of the Christian faith and to help you reflect on what it means to follow Jesus today. Speak with Alastair McKay for further information.

Great Sacred Choral Classics, Mondays, 6.30pm. Join Revd Dr Sam Wells and St Martin’s Voices for the final installment of this exciting new series exploring great choral works in words and music: 19 February Allegri Miserere. Free admission.

Disability Advisory Group, Sunday 25 February, 12.00-2.00pm, 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 our brilliant bring & share lunch. If you’d like to know more please speak to Fiona MacMillan or Jonathan Evens, or email disability@smitf.org.

Confirmation at St Martin’s. Preparation for adults will take place on Sundays 12noon-1.15pm on 25 February, 4, 18, March, 15, 22 April, 13, 27 May, 3 June in the Benenson Room. The Confirmation service will take place on Sunday 10 June with our new Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mallally. If you would like to join the group please contact Revd Katherine Hedderly: katherine.hedderly@smitf.org / 0207 766 1102.

Lent Course 2018: Abiding – What does it mean to Abide in God’s love? We will be using Ben Quash’s wonderful Lent book Abiding as we reflect upon what it means to abide in body, in mind, through care, in relationship, in exile, in woundedness, and in peace. Wednesdays in Lent and Holy Week from 21 February – 28 March from 6.30-8.45pm. All are welcome. For more information and for registration please complete the flyer provided or contact the Church Coordinator: helena.tarrant@smitf.org / 02077661100.

The changing monthly display by the artists and craftspeoples group in the Foyer of the Crypt for February is by Jonathan Kearney. Each month a different member of the group will show an example of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.

Silent Retreat, 2-4 March: Contemplation in a World of Action. Places are still available for this year’s silent retreat which will be led by Brother Sam from the Society of St Francis and Revd Richard Carter at the Focolare Centre, Welwyn Garden City. Flyers are now available in the church. For further information and to book a place please contact:
georgina.illingworth@smitf.org; or telephone 02077661143.

Time to Talk, Saturday 3 March, 10.30am. A service of reflection for those affected by suicide, featuring words and music to offer space, solidarity and opportunity to reflect and connect. The service will be followed by a reception with refreshments and an opportunity to link with organisations offering advice and support.

The first meeting of the Nazareth Community will take place on Saturday 10 March with Morning Prayer at 9.00am at St Martin-in-the-Fields. For all those who are interested in finding out more please contact richard.carter@smitf.org and georgina.illingworth@smitf.org.

A belated thank you to all members and supporters of C-club for another wonderful Advent stall. You raised an amazing £506 for St Luke’s Hospital, Malawi. The donation will support the hospital as it expands its services for very sick newborn babies, and manages three extra health centres serving remote communities.

Connection with Choral Classics, Thursday 1 March, 6.00–10.30pm. The Friends of the Connection are hosting what promises to be an really informative and enjoyable evening, including a talk in the Connection, a meal in the Crypt and a late concert in the church. £40 all included! See flyers in the church porch, go to www.friendsoftheconnection.org.uk/events or ring the Friends office on 020 7766 5522.

Choral Classics at St Stephen Walbrook, 1.00pm, Mondays until 19 March. A new choral series at St Stephen Walbrook. A 30 minute sequence of beautiful music with readings, led by Alastair McKay with the Choral Scholars of St Martin’s. All welcome.

The Parish Pipeline email goes out once a week with stories and information from around St Martin’s. Subscribe on www.smitf.org or by emailing sam.whyte@smitf.org.

Sacred Moments. A weekly podcast from St Martin-in-the-Fields. Each Monday Revd Dr Sam Wells offers a short reflection, followed by a hymn or choral piece sung by St Martin’s Voices. To listen, visit SoundCloud or subscribe via iTunes podcasts.