Parish News/Diary/Special Notices

Today/We are pleased to welcome Owen and Ryan Frölich, who will be baptised at the 10:00am Eucharist. Please pray for them, and their parents and godparent, on this very special day.

Today/Chrildren’s C-Club Porgramme, 11:30am, Dick Sheppard Chapel. Join us to learn some more about today’s readings and colour with your friends.

Today/Theology Group, 12 noon in the Austen Williams Room is led by Kopano Mholo and will consider subjects including, ‘Do my unbelieving African ancestors go to hell?’. No previous experience required. Future dates are 21 March (Awayday), 19 April and 3 May.

Today/JPIC Meeting. The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group will meet at 12 noon in the Desmond Tutu room. All interested in current issues of Social Justice and how we might respond as a community are welcome. Future dates: 25 February (7pm) and 22 March (12 noon).

Reflections on ‘Britain’ and ‘Europe’. The Archive team have put together two pertinent articles: a piece from the 1963 St Martin’s Review and the sermon given by Revd Dr Sam Wells for All Saints, 2018. Copies are available from Michael Hellyer after today’s service or by contacting the Archives Team: archives@smitf.org/020 7766 1126

This week/Club Wednesday, 6 February Choral Eucharist at 1:00pm followed by lunch at 6, St Martin’s Place. A talk will be given by the Marketing team of St Martin-in-the-Fields with Julie Eming and Sarah Jackson.

This Week/Bread for the World/Wednesday 6 February, 6:30pm: our informal Eucharist service with prayer, music, word and reflection, followed by food and fellowship. Brother Vaughan will be speaking on working with refugees and the Sunday International Group.

The London Winter Run takes place on Sunday 9 February and there will be road closures in the area. For more details, visit http://www.londonwinterrun.co.uk or call 020 8391 3913

Exploring Faith course/ Confirmation course begins on Sunday 9 February for ten weeks. 12:00-1:30pm including a full afternoon on Sunday 1 March. This is an opportunity for those wishing to explore the Christian faith for the first time or wishing to be Confirmed this year to explore Christianity within the particular inclusive theology that we share at St Martin’s. Lunch is provided. Please talk to Revd Sally Hitchiner for more details.

Disability Advisory Group/ Sunday 16 February, 12-2pm, 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 for our renowned bring & share lunch. Future dates are 21 June and 6 September. If you’d like to know more, please speak to Fiona MacMillan or Jonathan Evens, or email disability@smitf.org.

Insights from History for a Divided Nation, Monday 17 February, 7:00-8:30pm. Diarmaid MacCulloch, author, historian, broadcaster and Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, will be in conversation with Roger Bolton, with a response from Revd Dr Sam Wells. Organised by the Religion Media Centre in partnership with St Martin-in-the-Fields. Book your free ticket at: http://stmartininthefields.eventbrite.com

Theology Book Group/ The next is on Wednesday 19 February at 8pm, after Bread for the World. We shall be reading Francis Spufford, Unapologetic. It’s available from the Shop at St Martin’s.

Lent Course: The Desert in the City. Using Richard Carter’s new book The City is my Monastery: A contemporary rule of life. For more information and to sign up, pick up a leaflet in church or visit: http://bit.ly/2ZcljTm.

Coming up/Silent Retreat Weekend, 13-15 March, Pleshey Retreat House. Life in the Psalms led by Patrick Woodhouse and Richard Carter. Application forms are available in church or sign-up online: http://www.bit.ly/30OaCHs. Places are limited so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Creche volunteers Following Diocese advice, we are exploring the possibility of volunteer-led creche provision. If you would be interested in being part of our team looking after pre-school children during Sunday services, please contact harriet.merz@smitf.org by 16 February for more information on the application process.

Coming up/Theology Awayday/Saturday 21 March. Led by Revd Dr Sam Wells. The theme is ‘Improving the Kingdom’. No theological training necessary. The Awayday will be held at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, London E14 8DS, at the subsidised price of £25 with lunch and all refreshments included. Flyers are available in church from today or sign-up online: http://www.bit.ly/2tIRuOQ.

The changing monthly display by St Martin’s artists’ and craftspeople’s group in the Foyer of the Crypt for January is by Asanka Lekamalage. Each month a different member of the group or artists linked to it will show examples of their work, so do look regularly to see the changing display.

St Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg Visit. A group of 12 young people and adult leaders from St Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg will visit St Martin’s from 6-22 April 2020 and we need people to help host this group. If you think you may be able to help in anyway (providing accommodation or a meal, taking the group out for a meal, or funding a meal) please talk to Jonathan Evens.