New Grace podcast

"Prophetic and fearless... and deep solidarity..." Azariah and Winnie on Recent Loss and Remembering

Grace Podcast

Winnie Varghese and Azariah France-Williams on recent deaths and loss, remembering bell hooks; "She uses her grandmother's name... and doesn't capitalise her name... she decides to stand away from the institution that grant honour in different ways..."; Desmond Tutu, "his always outspoken support for LGBTQ people... his prophetic and profound commitment to justice, in ways that aren't what your PR consultant would recommend..."; and Harold Lewis, "Prophetic and fearless... and deep solidarity...", "He organised all of the funds... when our church still doesn't have that will, that bite, to provide what's necessary for people to flourish and thrive."

Talking about life, death and remembering "You note the lives of these icons and wonder if we're doing them justice, if there is another generation emerging in the same way..."

Listen to the Grace podcasts here.

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Charles Bradley - This World (Is Going Up In Flames). 

The return of (G)race

Conversations about (G)race is back with Chine McDonald on home and Greenbelt, the power of personal story, redeeming white spaces, uncovering African spirituality & facing up to whiteness. Just an inspiring discussion! With Azariah France-Williams & Winnie Varghese. Produced by Rosie Dawson for HeartEdge, have a listen here.

Earlier episodes in the series are:

3. Sharon Lewis 'Afro-Futurism and recovering faith'

"Your work, the spirit is pulsating through it... it's deeply spiritual..." Writer, director and award-winning film maker, Sharon Lewis in conversation about God and race with Azariah France-Williams and Winnie Varghese. "Black History Month perpetually keeps us in the past... in an iconography we're repressed... We did rebel! We did fight back! We survived and thrived! We were not decimated in terms of spirit... The very basis of Black Future Month is that we exist..." Sharon, Azariah and Winnie on Christianity colonised (and releasing colonial attitudes), coding the future, extending sci-fi, giving up Jesus and recovering Christianity and the church, being angry... and dodgy haircuts...

2. David Neita 'Barriers, boundaries and finding home'

UK based poet and lawyer David Neita in conversation with Azariah France-Williams and Winnie Varghese. “I belong to the Lord – so this is my space…” How to build a space that is welcoming, diverse and hospitable. Plus, poverty, inequality and the importance of poetry to navigate the justice system… And birthing something creative into the world.

1. Broderick Greer 'Black imagination, white reactions'

Broderick Greer Canon Precentor at Saint John's Cathedral in Denver, Colorado US in transatlantic conversation with Azariah France-Williams (UK) and Winnie Varghese (US). Talking God and race - on black resistance, black dignity and joy - and 'being the allies'. Plus the ravages of white supremacy and finding freedom. And how do you pronounce (G)race?

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Valerie June - Pushing Against A Stone.

Living God's Future Now - w/c 7 March 2021

 

'Living God’s Future Now’ is our mini online festival of theology, ideas and practice.

We’ve developed this in response to the pandemic and our changing world. The church is changing too, and - as we improvise and experiment - we can learn and support each other.

This is 'Living God’s Future Now’ - talks, workshops and discussion - hosted by HeartEdge. Created to equip, encourage and energise churches - from leaders to volunteers and enquirers - at the heart and on the edge.

The focal event in ‘Living God’s Future Now’ is a monthly conversation where Sam Wells explores what it means to improvise on God’s kingdom with a leading theologian or practitioner.

The online programme includes:

• Regular weekly workshops: Biblical Studies (Mondays - fortnightly), Sermon Preparation (Tuesdays) and Community of Practitioners (Wednesdays)
• One-off workshops on topics relevant to lockdown such as ‘Growing online communities’ and ‘Grief, Loss & Remembering’
• Monthly HeartEdge dialogue featuring Sam Wells in conversation with a noted theologian or practitioner

Sunday Inspired to Follow: ‘Who is my Neighbour? – A journey through Lent’ Zoom Sunday 07 March, 14:00 BST Register here. Inspired to Follow: ‘Who is my Neighbour? – A journey through Lent’ - Session 3 - Giving Hospitality to Strangers - Luke 10: 25-42 and ‘Christ in the House of Martha and Mary’, Diego Velásquez. HeartEdge Enrichment Conversation: Lenten Series 2021 Youtube Sunday 07 March, 15:00 BST (17:00 SA Time Zone) Livestreamed here. HeartEdge Enrichment Conversation: Lenten Series 2021- These conversations and series of talks will explore deeper within the Southern African context, the church renewal opportunities presented by the 4 Cs. Session 3 – Revd Cookie Makaba (Compassion). Tuesday Creating a New Communion Zoom Tuesday 09 March 10:00-11:30 BST Book here. Creating a New Communion - Exploring how generosity, gratitude, giving and fundraising call us into communion with God and with one another. Sermon Prep Sally Hitchiner and Sam Wells Livestream Tuesday 09 March 16:30 -17:30 BST Live streamed on the HeartEdge Facebook page here. A live preaching workshop focusing on the forthcoming Sunday's lectionary readings in the light of current events and sharing of thoughts on approaches to the passages. Wednesday Community of Practitioners workshop Zoom Wednesday 10 March 16:00-17:00 BST Email Jonathan Evens here to take part. Church leaders (lay and ordained) join in community, share and reflect together on their recent experiences in the form of wonderings and book discussions. Thursday Book launch: Sacred Pavement Zoom Thursday 11 March, 14:00-15:30 BST. Book here. Explore some of the ways in which city-dwelling can be a spiritual practice in itself with Erin Clark Rector of St Matthew's Bethnal Green and author of Sacred Pavement. Living God's Future Now conversation: Jonathan Tran Zoom Thursday 11 March, 18:00 BST. Book here. Sam Wells explores what it means to improvise on God’s kingdom with Jonathan Tran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and George W. Baines Chair of Religion, Baylor University. Friday Over the edge: A reflective process on change and transformation Zoom Friday 12 March, 14:00-15:50 BST Book here. Over the edge looks at what happens when we cross boundaries or borders, this will be a reflective workshop concerned with spiritual journeying; designed and led by Chris Bemrose. Chris is a trained Social Sculptor: using the arts, broadly defined, to bring about social, ecological and spiritual change. Me and my hero Zoom Friday 12 March, 20:00–21:30 BST Registration: Email Secretariate Arminius Institute, Vera Kok, email here. (Please register before March 5, 2021). Live master class around heroism and heroes from the past and in the present. Explore the difference between a hero and a saint with Rev. Sally Hitchiner, Associate Vicar at St. Martin in the and Heroes Made Strange Again with Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit, CCBI. More information click here. Don't Miss Our New Podcast: (G)race Listen to conversations on God and race - here. (G)race features Azariah France-Williams and Winnie Varghese plus guest! A series of unapologetic conversations about God, faith, belief, ideas - and race, identity and experience. Third episode with writer, director and award-winning film maker, Sharon Lewis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hildegard von Bingen - Voices Of Angels.

Advent & Christmas services & events

Advent begins today. The artists and craftspeoples group at St Martin-in-the-Fields is organising an Advent Oasis today from 2-4 pm in the George Richards & Austen Williams Rooms. This will be another ‘Oasis’ time of 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.

The Light the Well installation set in the Light Well can be viewed until 14 December and has been made by the hands of people at St Martin-in-the-Fields. Individuals from across our shared life – Church congregation, Chinese community, clergy, staff, clients from the Connection and members of our International Group – have, over some time, gathered together over tables of clay and carefully formed the pieces which fill the Light Well. Each porcelain ‘lantern’ is filled with light from a simple string of lamps.

The Advent Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields at 5.00pm explores in words and music our theme for Advent Let Every Heart Prepare. With the Choir of St Martin-in the-Fields. Our preacher is the Revd Dr Sam Wells and doors open at 4.15pm. During Advent there will be no Evening Prayer, Monday Choral Evensong or Bread for the World. There will be no ticketing for capacity Christmas services: Nine Lessons and Carols, Gospel Carols, Community Carols and Parish Carols. Doors open 45 mins before the services start and as the church is often full we encourage you to arrive in plenty of time to be certain of a seat. We look forward to welcoming all of our visitors over this Advent and Christmas season. The full list of services at St Martin-in-the-Fields for Advent and Christmas is here.

We are also pleased to announce that our Sacred Moments series will become daily throughout Advent. Each day there will be a short reflection from the Revd Dr Sam Wells and guests, followed by a carol sung by one of our choirs. The series, in partnership with Premier Christian Radio, runs from Advent Sunday to Christmas Eve, will be broadcast on the Premier breakfast and lunchtime shows, as well as being released through the usual St Martin’s Soundcloud and iTunes channels. In addition, this year’s Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be recorded for broadcast on Premier Christian Radio at 9pm on Christmas Eve.

At St Stephen Walbrook, we are part of the Bank Churches group whose Advent Service will this year be held at St Vedast-alias-Foster on Tuesday 5 December at 1.00pm. All are most welcome at this service which includes Advent Carols and Readings.

During Advent the Walbrook Art Society organise lectures at St Stephen. The Advent lectures for 2017 will be given by Dharshan Thenuwara and are as follows:

• Wednesday 29 November – St Luke in art (Bible in art series: Lecture 2).
• Wednesday 6 December - Arthur Liberty Centenary Lecture Part 2: Arts & Crafts and Japanese influence.
• Wednesday 13 December - Richard Dadd Anniversary Lecture.
• Wednesday 20th December - Edgar Degas Centenary Lecture.

All Advent lectures are at St Stephen Walbrook between 1.00pm and 2.00pm. Refreshments are available before and after. All are welcome. Cost - £5.00 each. No pre-booking required for these lectures.

This year we are hosting Carol Services or concerts for: Arthur J. Gallagher, BlackRock, Cancer Research UK, Christ's Hospital Old Blues, CMS, Columbia Threadneedle, Fight for Sight, Michael Varah Memorial Fund, Worshipful Company of Gardeners, and Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. Click on the following links to purchase tickets the Fight for Sight Christmas Carol Concert or MVMF Carols by Candlelight.

Our 'Carols for All and Blessing of the Crib’ by Candlelight will be held on Wednesday 13 December at 6.00pm. This is a traditional candlelit Carol Service that is a great occasion when neighbouring businesses and friends of St Stephen Walbrook come together to celebrate Christmas. Music will be led by the St Stephen's Voices and there will be much-loved carols to sing. Mince pies and mulled wine follow this service.

Then on Christmas Eve at Midnight Mass there is the opportunity to Join us for the first Communion of Christmas where St Stephen’s Voices will again lead us. The service will be followed by mince pies and hot drinks.

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Lichfield Cathedral Choir - Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending.

A Common Call for Dependence

The sermon given by Revd Paul-Gordon Chandler last Sunday can be heard on the website for St Martin-in-the-Fields. Paul-Gordon is the Founder and President of CARAVAN Arts, and curated the interfaith exhibition The Bridge which appeared at St Martin’s during June and July.

Titled "A Common Call to Dependence," Paul-Gordon, referring to "THE BRIDGE" art exhibition, encourages listeners to learn from the faith traditions of our Middle Eastern sisters and brothers.

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Sami Yusuf - Supplication.