DO YOU ENJOY SINGING?

We are building up the occasions on which our Voluntary choir – both the adults and children - joins forces with the professional choir to sing at either the 9.30 Sung Eucahrist or 6.30 Evensong.   There are a number of such opportunities this autumn – so if you enjoy singing this would be a good time to think of joining the choir.   Contact Mark Uglow, our Director of Music, if your grown up, or Julie Charles for information about the Childrens Choir.

Weekday Services

In our church the round of praise, prayer and sacrament never ceases.  Every day we say Morning and Evening Prayer and the Holy Eucharist is celebrated.  This constant Godward activity is the very heart of who and what we are, and it is our privilege to make this offering on behalf of our whole parish, and those members of our congregation who cannot be present.  But the numbers of those who ARE present has dropped over the last few years to dangerously low levels.   A very few faithful souls now maintain this offering on behalf of the rest of you.

This is the very loveliest time of the year to start or renew this commitment – what could be nicer than praising God in a sunlit chapel first thing in the morning, or in the space between afternoon and evening?    Our full service times are given on the front cover.

WHY DON’T YOU JOIN US, ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK?
 

MEDITATION GROUP

Did you know that a Meditation Group meets every Wednesday lunchtime in the Resurrection Chapel?   It’s a conducted meditation, with help given onto the practice and purpose of meditation, so beginners won’t feel uncomfortable.  If you want further details, contact Margaret Lane.

SERVING AT THE ALTAR

One of the ways people contribute to the dignity of our worship – and which makes such a difference in a large and grand church like ours - is by joining the team of servers who assist the clergy with the preparation of the altar, carry the cross and candles etc etc.

We have a mixed team of men and women, boys and girls, young and old.   At the moment there are several vacancies –  might this be a way in which you could play a part in our worship?

Full training is given, and many of the tasks are simple.   Contact Fr Gillean or Susan Lockhart via the vestry.
 

BABIES……..………TODDLERS……………….PARENTS

Did you know that we run a Playgroup for preschool children every Friday morning in the Church Hall?   Places are limited, but priority is given to St Mary Abbot’s church families –  and there are currently a few vacancies.

Further information from Nan Barclay-Eveley – 07956 105 072
 
 St Mary Abbots - GENEALOGICAL AND SIMILAR RESEARCHES

Please do not contact members of the Clergy.

All enquiries should be made to:

    The Honorary Registrar, Mrs Patricia Wilson,
    St. Mary Abbots Parish Office,
    Vicarage Gate,
    London   W8 4HN

        patanddavidwilson@tiscali.co.uk

to ascertain the existence of registers covering the period required, and to receive a free estimate of costs involved.

Searches are commenced ONLY upon receipt of the Statutary Fee (s) stated below, in the form of a Sterling Cheque, made payable to "St. Mary Abbots Church".

Register Searches will then be carried out and a single certified copy of an entry (if found) is issued, resulting from a search of up to one hour duration.

The fee is for the SEARCH not the certificate. The basic statuary fee of £19 covers the first hours search and one copy of an entry if found. Any additional time is charged at £15 per hour. Additional copy certificates are charged at £19 each.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COPIES of entries cannot be provided.

FRIENDS OF St MARY ABBOTS CHRISTMAS EVENT RAISES OVER £4,000

Tuesday 4th December evening saw a glittering Christmas party, hosted by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in the Mayor's Parlour. Our thanks are due to the Children's and Professional Choir who sang so beautifully, the Mayor, Cllr. Andrew Dalton and Mrs Dalton, who kindly provided the Champagne, Marsh & Parsons our sponsors and Whole Foods Market who provided a splendid Christmas Buffet.

Mr Jim Babbington and his team at the Mayor's office and Mr Andrew Lonas contributed so very much to a splendid evening, as did our Patrons the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, accompanied by Mrs Samantha Cameron, Professor The Lord Alton of Liverpool, Mr Anthony Howard and Councillor Christopher Buckmaster

Together with the Chairman’s Christmas appeal, over £4,000 has been raised so far.   A record seasonal fund raising achievement for the Friends of St Mary Abbots. Membership details are available in the Vestry and in the church or via the Chairman Steve Atack at steveatack@aol.com

CRISIS IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH ?

Read the Vicar's response to the Windsor/Eades Report here.
 

ENROL A FRIEND AS A ‘FRIEND OF SMA’ AS A GIFT

The Friends of St Mary Abbots are continuing to build our membership and are looking for new recruits. If you would like to join or wish to enrol a friend, colleague or neighbour as a gift, forms to allow you to do so are available in the church. If you enroll someone as a gift please forward their names and addresses to Robert Cook, Treasurer of the Friends at the Parish Office and he will ensure they receive a card welcoming them on your behalf. Single Membership of the Friends is £12.00, Couples £20.00. The next Friends Newsletter will be published shortly and a pre-Christmas event is in the planning so this is the ideal time to join!
 

HOUSE GROUPS:

St. Mary Abbots has several House Groups in which people meet in homes or in church.  Their purpose is to build up the bonds of fellowship, to study the Bible or other spiritual writings and to talk together about what it means to be a Christian.  If you would like to know more, or become a member of a group, please contact Pat Wilson on 020-8993-0555. ASB/PAW
 

THE 'FRIENDS OF ST MARY ABBOTS'

The Friends of St. Mary Abbots, has been formed to encourage a new dimension of support to maintain and improve the fabric of our beautiful church from amongst parishioners, local residents, local businesses and the 60,000 visitors from all over the world who are able to see our church every year as a result of our open church policy.

Excellent progress has been made recruiting new members so far.

Membership details are available in the church or can be obtained from the Parish Office.  Further information is also obtainedhereand from the Chairman  Steve Atack.