St Mary with St Alban

February 2012

Vicar’s Viewpoint
In a time when statistics are generally being used to report yet more gloomy news of the economy, it’s good to be able to give you some upbeat figures on church attendance in 2011. (I won’t speculate on whether the two are related!)

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day over 1400 people came to one of our services
Our average Sunday School attendance grew from 40 to 50 per week, with over 160 children on the register
We conducted 64 baptisms and 16 weddings.

This is all very encouraging. But numbers aren’t everything. Helping people to deepen their faith is just as important. That’s why we’re keen to invite people back, and it’s why this month we have a couple of reunion events.

On February 11th we’re inviting the families of those who’ve been baptised in 2011 to come to a ‘Young Children’s Guide to the Church’ at 2pm, followed by tea and playtime in the parish hall. Members of the Parish Visiting Team, who visit every baptism family before each service, will be joining the clergy and mini-Sunday School team in hosting this event.

On February 12th we’re inviting wedding couples from the previous two years to join us for a special service of Choral Evensong, for the Feast of St Valentine, at 6.30pm. This will be a regular Book of Common Prayer Evensong, but with hymns and anthems that are popular at weddings as well as thanksgiving prayers for marriage. The guest preacher will be the Rector of Chelsea, the Reverend Prebendary Brian Leathard. All are welcome to join us, and to stay for a glass of fizz after the service.

After these two celebrations we’ll be inviting people to deepen their faith as they enter into the holy season of Lent. Firstly, on Shrove Tuesday, February 21st, we’re having a Pancake Day Supper Talk at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Canon Julian Reindorp and his theme is ‘The Prophet Amos and the need for social action’. Julian is always erudite, entertaining and provocative, not unlike the prophet himself. So don’t miss this stimulating event. Book places via the parish office.

Then on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, we’ll have services at both 9.30am and 7.30pm that will include the imposition of ashes as well as holy communion. The evening service will be a sung service with choir anthem and sermon.

I hope that over the month there’s something for everyone and that we continue to be a beacon of good news in these difficult times.

Best wishes

Joe Moffatt