Today/Blessing of New Members of Nazareth Community and Renewal of Promises after one year of the Nazareth Community. We are full of joy that nine new people will be joining the Nazareth Community today. They are Angela Sheard, Zoe Cuckow, Anne Langley, Kopano Mholo, Paul Taylor, Jack Knight, Dawn De Kock, Brian Shambare and Richard Fermer. Please pray for them and for all the community as they renew their promises and continue to seek to grow in faith through silence, sacrament, compassionate service, sacred study and sharing the life of the Nazareth Community.

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/Children’s C-Club Programme, 11.30am, Dick Sheppard Chapel. A tale of a hen and chicks. We will look at what Jesus meant when he said we are his chicks. Join us to find out.

Today/Drawing Group/Sunday 17 March, 12–2.00pm, Glass Box. Each month for two hours the drawing club meet and draw together. Materials, objects to draw and step-by-step help for those beginners who would like it are all provided. No previous experience is necessary and all are welcome.

Today/Confirmation Preparation, 12.15-1.15pm, Benenson Room. Adult confirmation classes begin today. Other classes on 31 March, 14 April, 5, 12, 19 and 28 May. The Confirmation service will be on Wednesday 29 May at 6.30pm with the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally.

Diocesan Lent Appeal. Modern Day Slavery is the focus of the 2019 Diocesan Lent Appeal, which will raise funds for five charities that are already working to end Modern Day Slavery in London. These are Tamar; Ella’s Home; Love 146; The Rise Project (The Children’s Society); and Kalayaan. Today at 12 noon in the Tutu Room Elizabeth Matthews will lead an awareness session on Modern Day Slavery. At the 10am service on on Sunday 31 March, the collection will be for the Diocesan Lent Appeal.

This Week/HeartEdge Advent Calendar Workshop, Tuesday 19 March, 2.00-4.30pm, Austen Williams Room. The Beach Hut Advent Calendar was created in Brighton in 2008 to encourage people to connect with the Christian roots of Advent and explore spirituality through creativity. This workshop will reveal the journey of the Beach huts and some of the stories from the last 11 years. Register at https://bit.ly/2TGCRHx.

Electoral Roll Renewal. We are required to form a new Electoral Roll in 2019 (as part of the 6-year cycle that the rules specify). Everyone who wishes to be included on the new roll, whether they are on the present roll or not, must complete an application form by Sunday 24 March at the latest. Only those who are on the electoral roll are entitled to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, which this year takes place on 28 April. Application forms are available from the PCC duty member in the Hall after the 10am service, from the Vergers at other times, from our Church Coordinator Harriet Rabin (harriet.rabin@smitf.org / 020 7766 1126).

Next Sunday/London Landmarks Half Marathon. There will be road closures in place near Trafalgar Square all day. Please check and plan your route before you travel as these may affect your journey into St Martin’s.

Next Sunday/Revd Will Morris. We will give thanks for Will’s wonderful ministry as Assistant Priest at St Martin’s over the last ten years, and pray for him and Michelle as they prepare to move back to America. Will will preach and preside at his last service, the 10am Eucharist on 24 March.

Next Sunday/Junior Theology/Sunday 24 March, 11.30am, Benenson Room. A monthly group for older C-Club members where they can bring their questions and explore the Christian faith.

Next Sunday/Theology Group/Sunday 24 March, 12-1pm, Austen Williams Room. The session originally planned for 17 March will take place next week. Theology Group is an opportunity to reflect theologically on issues of the day and questions of forever with Revd Dr Sam Wells. All are welcome. Subsequent dates are 7 April, 9 May, and 16 June.

Coming Up/Reading Theology/Wednesday 22 May. Our next book for our Reading Theology group will be With the End in Mind written by Kathryn Mannix. It is now in stock at the shop.

Next Week/Memorial for Anne Duffin/Wednesday 27 March, 1pm. To give thanks for the life and example of Anne Duffin. Will be held as part of our 1pm Choral Eucharist followed by reception in the Austen Williams Room.

Revd Paul Lau’s Retirement. After 19 years at St Martin’s, Paul Lau will be retiring as Associate Vicar for the Chinese at Pentecost. We will mark this significant transition at our joint Chinese/English 10am Eucharist on Sunday 9 June. The preacher will be Rt Revd Andrew Chan.

Leaves for Healing is a two-part exhibition organised by the artists’ and craftspersons’ group at St Martin-in-the-Fields. During Lent the exhibition runs from 6 March-20 April and in Eastertide from 21 April-9 June.

Coming Up/Lent Oasis, Sunday 7 April, 1.30-4.00pm, George Richards and Austen Williams Rooms. This ‘Oasis’ time will include quiet scripture reflection, prayer and practical art. Art materials will be available for you to explore, play with colour and be creative through collage, painting, drawing or writing. All are very welcome. Please let Jonathan Evens know if you wish to come – tel: 020 7766 1127 or email: jonathan.evens@smitf.org.

Coming Up/Deepening Spirituality, Thursday 11 April, 10am-3.30pm, London Centre for Spiritual Direction, Lombard Street EC3V 9EA. Explore approaches to deepening the spirituality of congregations including accompanied prayer, art, Godly Play, lay communities, open door retreats, spiritual direction, and more. An opportunity for personal refreshment. Register at https://bit.ly/2UJasgk

PCC and Churchwarden Elections. At the Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 28 April this year there will be elections for churchwardens (who are elected for one year, up to a maximum of six) and PCC members (who are elected for three years, renewable once). There are five vacancies for PCC members. If you are interested in standing as a churchwarden or as a PCC member, please speak to the vicar or the current churchwardens.