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Showing posts with label shelton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shelton. Show all posts

Saturday, 10 May 2025

All Saints Goodmayes: Stations of the Cross



All Saints Goodmayes, which has a set of Stations of the Cross by the artist Henry Shelton, has prepared a booklet of images, reflections and prayers based on these Stations. The reflections and prayers used are those that I wrote for an earlier collaboration with Henry called 'The Passion'.

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact. Here is an example of one of the reflections and prayers: 

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

The set of Stations now at All Saints Goodmayes have previously been exhibited at York Minister, St stephen Walbrook, and Chelmsford Cathedral. The booklet comes with a Foreword by The Most Revd and Rt Hon. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York:

"At this most holy time, as we follow Jesus on His journey to the cross, Henry Shelton's contemporary images provide an evocative background against which we can place our deepest reflections as we contemplate the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by his death and resurrection delivered and saved the world." 

Henry Shelton was born and grew up in Stratford, East London. He joined West Ham church as a choir boy where he first became aware of the importance of Christian art.

After leaving school he joined a London studio as an apprentice draughtsman developing his drawing skills in lettering and fine art. After 15 years of service he set up his own studio receiving many commissions to design for such clients as the Science Museum, Borough Councils, private and corporate bodies.

During this time he continued painting Christian art and after meeting Bishop Trevor Huddleston he completed a series of portraits of him which were exhibited in St Dunstan's Church, Stepney, where he was also confirmed by the Bishop.

Henry worked designing in studios across the world, including Hong Kong and the USA. Together, we formed commission4mission, an artist's collective that generated church commissions, exhibitions, events and resources. Henry's commissions include a large oil painting of the Ascension installed as an altarpiece in the Church of the Saviour, Chell Heath; the Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes, memorial etched glass windows in All Saints Goodmayes and All Saint's Hutton, paintings for the Chapel at Queen's Hospital Romford, Stations of the Crown of Thorns at St Paul's Goodmayes, and the Trinity Window at All Saints Goodmayes.

An interview that I undertook with Henry can be read here and here.

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Extreme - Peacemaker Die.

Saturday, 12 April 2025

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter


Messy Holy Week / Easter
Mess! Fun! Food! FREE Kids crafts, activities, games, stories, & songs! plus FREE tea for each child
2-4pm, Saturday 12th April 2025, St Andrews Church, Wickford
Email emmacdoe@googlemail.com or Sue.wise@sky.com

Sunday 13th April (Palm Sunday): 9.30 am Eucharist, St Mary’s; 10.00 am Eucharist - St Andrew’s; 11.00 am All Age Eucharist St Catherine's; 6.30 pm Reflective Evening Prayer, St Mary’s.

Holy Week & Easter Services

Holy Week (14-19 April)

Stations of the Cross and Night Prayer – 8.00 pm, St Andrew’s (Monday), St Catherine’s (Tuesday), St Mary’s (Wednesday)

Eucharist with footwashing – Maundy Thursday (17 April), 8.00 pm, St Catherine’s (followed by The Watch)

Good Friday Walk of Witness (18 April) – begins from Our Lady of Good Counsel at 10.00 am
At the Foot of the Cross – 2.00 pm, St Andrew’s with soloist Eva Romanakova

Easter Day (20 April)

Service of Light – 5.30 am St Mary’s, followed by breakfast
Eucharist – 9.30 am St Mary’s; Eucharist – 10.00 am St Andrew’s; Eucharist – 11.00 am St Catherine’s

Meditations for the Stations of the Cross will be drawn from Mark of the Cross and The Passion, collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself on The Stations of the Cross. They provide helpful reflections and resources for Lent and Holy Week. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

Mark of the Cross is a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension. The meditations are complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton.

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I have aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact.

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

At St Andrew's on Monday 14 April, we will pray the Stations of the Cross by Steve Whittle. Steve's exhibition entitled 'The Way' can be seen at St Andrew's until Good Friday.

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Julie Miller - How Could You Say No.

Friday, 28 February 2025

Resources for Lent and Holy Week






This year the Ministry Team in the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry have once again written our own Lent Course, a five week course looking at journeys in the Bible.

The Bible is full of journeys made by people guided by God. Some are shorter and some are longer. All are transformational. Life is often thought of as a journey. There are high points and low points, paths where we travel swiftly and paths where we feel bogged down, there are some times when we feel like we have come to a dead end and some times when the future ahead looks far away. In this course we look at five particular biblical journeys and think about how the people involved might have felt, and what responses they evoke in us when we hear them. Do they remind us of our own journeys with God? Week 1: Abraham’s wanderings Week 2: The Exodus Week 3: Ruth and Naomi Week 4: Jesus journey to Jerusalem (based on St Luke’s gospel) Week 5: Paul’s missionary journeys (based on Acts) 

These sessions will be offered on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon and evening, depending on numbers, starting the week of 10th March. 

Mark of the Cross and The Passion are collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself on The Stations of the Cross. They provide helpful reflections and resources for Lent and Holy Week. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

Mark of the Cross is a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension. The meditations are complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton.

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I have aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact.

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

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Julie Miller - How Could You Say No.

 

Sunday, 19 January 2025

Meditations

My reflection for the online Church of England service included a meditation I wrote on transformation. Over the years I have written a considerable number of meditations alongside my poetry. Some have been posted here; some in sermons and some in their own right. Others are available to download from other sites.

This post provides links to the majority of these meditations:

'Come, Lord Jesus, Come' is an Advent devotional (booklet & slideshow) by Victoria Emily Jones based on an Advent meditation written by myself.

Mark of the Cross and The Passion are collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself on The Stations of the Cross. They provide helpful reflections and resources for Lent and Holy Week. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

'Five Trios' is a series of poems on thin places and sacred spaces in the Diocese of Chelmsford. The five poems in the series are:
These poems have been published by Amethyst Review and International Times. IT have also published a poem, The ABC of creativity, which covers attention, beginning and creation.

Other of my poems have appeared in Amethyst Review. They are: 'Are/Are Not', 'Attend, attend' and 'Maritain, Green, Beckett and Anderson in conversation down through the ages'. To read my poems published by Stride, click here, here, here, here, and here.

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Kelly Joe Phelps - Down To The Praying Ground.

Saturday, 16 March 2024

Index of interviews

I've just had my first interview for International Times published. This interview is with Jago Cooper, Director of the the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

I have carried out a large number of other interviews for Artlyst, ArtWay, Church Times and Seen&Unseen. They provide a wide range of fascinating insights into the approaches and practices of artists, arts professionals, clerics, curators, poets and writers. 

They can be found at:

Artlyst
ArtWay
Church Times
Seen and Unseen
Also see my interviews with artist Henry Shelton here and here and David Hawkins, former Bishop of Barking, here, here and here.

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L.S. Underground - This Is The Healing.

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

Stations of the Cross

 





This year the Ministry Team in the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry have once again written our own Lent Course, which looks more deeply into the Stations of the Cross which we use during Holy Week, including images, readings, reflection and prayer.

These sessions will be offered on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon and evening, depending on numbers, starting the week of 19th February. We also have the opportunity to share these sessions with Christ Church, giving additional days and times (Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings).

Mark of the Cross and The Passion are collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself on The Stations of the Cross. They provide helpful reflections and resources for Lent and Holy Week. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

Mark of the Cross is a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension. The meditations are complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton.

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I have aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact.

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

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Monday, 3 April 2023

Stations of the Cross and Night Prayer

 



Pray the Stations of the Cross with us tonight at 8.00 pm in St Catherine's and at 8.00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday at St Andrew's and St Mary's respectively. All are welcome. These times of prayer will end with Night Prayer. We are using Stations of the Cross by Henry Shelton with prayers by myself - see below for information about our two collections of Stations.

Our other services for Holy Week and Easter Day are:

Eucharist with footwashing – Maundy Thursday (6 April), 8.00 pm, St Catherine’s (followed by The Watch)

Good Friday Walk of Witness – begins from Our Lady of Good Counsel at 10.00 am
At the Foot of the Cross – 2.00 pm, St Andrew’s

Easter Day (9 April)

Service of Light – 5.30 am St Mary’s, followed by breakfast
Eucharist – 9.30 am St Mary’s
Eucharist – 10.00 am St Andrew’s
Eucharist – 11.00 am St Catherine’s

Mark of the Cross and The Passion are collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

Mark of the Cross is a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension. The meditations are complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton.

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I have aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact.

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

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Adrian Snell - Golgotha.

Sunday, 30 October 2022

Henry Shelton artist


















Last Friday in the Unveiled session at St Andrew's Wickford I talked with Henry Shelton about his life and art.

Henry was born and grew up in Stratford, East London. He joined West Ham church as a choir boy where he first became aware of the importance of Christian art.

After leaving school he joined a London studio as an apprentice draughtsman developing his drawing skills in lettering and fine art. After 15 years of service he set up his own studio receiving many commissions to design for such clients as the Science Museum, Borough Councils, private and corporate bodies.

During this time he continued painting Christian art and after meeting Bishop Trevor Huddleston he completed a series of portraits of him which were exhibited in St Dunstan's Church, Stepney, where he was also confirmed by the Bishop.

Henry worked designing in studios across the world, including Hong Kong and the USA. Together, we formed commission4mission, an artist's collective that generated church commissions, exhibitions, events and resources. Henry's commissions include a large oil painting of the Ascension installed as an altarpiece in the Church of the Saviour, Chell Heath; the Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes, memorial etched glass windows in All Saints Goodmayes and All Saint's Hutton, painting for the Chapel at Queen's Hospital Romford, Stations of the Crown of Thorns at St Paul's Goodmayes, and the Trinity Window at All Saints Goodmayes.

An earlier interview that I undertook with Henry can be read here and here, while a Church Times profile on him can be found here.

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Ed Kowalczyk - Grace.

Friday, 14 October 2022

'Unveiled' - talks, conversations and concerts




Unveiled
A new, regular Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew’s Church, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN

Exhibitions, open mic nights, performances, talks and more!
  • Unveiled – a wide range of artist and performers from Essex and wider, including Open Mic nights (come and have a go!).
  • Unveiled – view our hidden painting by acclaimed artist David Folley, plus a range of other exhibitions.
Autumn Programme

Friday 21 October, 7.00 pm, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN. Wickford Famous, a talk by Ken Porter of Basildon Heritage on famous people from Wickford.

Friday 28 October, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Henry Shelton in conversation. Meet the artist and hear about his work with Stephen Cottrell, Ranulph Fiennes, Trevor Huddleston, David Lean and others. Plus commissions in Goodmayes, Hutton, Romford, Stoke and elsewhere.

Friday 4 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Jackie E. Burns in conversation. Meet the artist and hear about her work as a Space Artist. Jackie is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists whose members are dedicated to creating images of space - galaxies, stars, planets, moons – combining science and art to expand the human mind and soul.

Friday 11 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Jonathan Evens will give a presentation on 'Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions.' Modern art commissions have led to debates about the Church working with artists that have significant mainstream reputations versus those without, and between secular artists and artists who are Christians. In his illustrated presentation Jonathan shows work made for churches by all these groups of artists and examines the resulting debates.

Friday 18 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Rev Simpkins & the Phantom Folk: Rev Simpkins’ music mixes the colourful folk tradition of Appalachians Mountains with the melodiousness and carefully-observed lyrics of the Kinks. Close harmonies intertwine with banjo, French horn, and bass. At this concert the band will perform the Rev’s acclaimed fourth album and book, 'Saltings' in its entirety.

Created with the Illustrator, Tom Knight, Saltings is a loving portrait of the mystery and beauty of Essex's salt marsh wilderness, and a meditation on the real human cost of the wilderness time of the pandemic. 

Found within 50 miles of London, the saltings are one of England’s last natural wild spaces. Working as a parish priest a few miles away, Matt came to the saltings to retreat and compose these compelling and compassionate songs about his community’s real-life experiences during the pandemic. Saltings portrays hope found amid wilderness.

The Reverend Matt Simpkins is the fourth generation of his family to be ordained priest in the Church of England. Prior to ordination, Matt was a professional musician having been a choral scholar at Oxford University and a Lecturer in Music. He collaborated with Kenney Jones of the Small Faces to reconstruct the orchestral parts of their 1968 psychedelic masterpiece Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake. In 2019 a diagnosis of cancer and a period of illness brought an opportunity to make new music and the Rev released the hope-filled album Big Sea in 2020, which was selected as one of Louder than War’s albums of 2020.

‘a triumph…hypnotic and compulsive listening’ Fatea on Saltings

‘tender...magnificent...outstanding’ Vive le Rock on Saltings

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Rev Simpkins - Gathering Grounds.

Tuesday, 15 March 2022

'Mark of the Cross' and 'The Passion'

Mark of the Cross and The Passion are collections of images, meditations and prayers by Henry Shelton and myself. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.

Mark of the Cross is a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension. The meditations are complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton. 

The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I have aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact.

Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.

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Adrian Snell - Golgotha.

Friday, 10 April 2020

Stations of the Cross

I have two sets of meditations on the Stations of the Cross which are available for download from theworshipcloud.com.
  • Mark of the Cross features 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension (images by Henry Shelton and words by Jonathan Evens).
  • The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features pictures, poems and prayers by Henry Shelton and Jonathan Evens which enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so and published as a double-sided A3 sheet with all the images, haiku-like meditations and prayers laid out in sequence for ease of devotional use.
Here are the meditations and prayers from The Passion set:

Station 1 - Jesus is condemned to death

The finger of a freshly washed
hand points condemnation.
A drip forms on the finger-tip
and glints in the sun, blood-red.

May we walk from our prisons with thankfulness that your condemnation set us free. Amen.


Station 2 - Jesus takes up his cross

An arm raises up the torture instrument
to which a hand will be nailed
when a body is raised up as was
the bronze serpent in the wilderness.

May all who look on you, raised up upon the cross, know healing. Amen.


Station 3 - Jesus falls the first time

Body bowed, weight-laden, exhaustion
spreads through limbs, feet catch
on stones, stumble, to fall spread-eagled
like the chalk outline of a murder victim.

In our exhaustion and pain, may we know you alongside. Amen.


Station 4 - Jesus meets his mother

At my beginning I was pushed bloodied
from your limbs and struck so that strange
gases would rush my lungs. I return to you
at my end, bloodied and panting once again.

You are Alpha and Omega, in my beginning as at my end. Amen.


Station 5 - Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross

In my exhaustion, in my torment, in my
time of distress, I reach out and touch the hand
of a stranger. One man meeting the need
of the one who seeks to meet the needs of all.

May we reach out and touch a hand to make a friend if we can. Amen.


Station 6 - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

A tender touch after rough-handling, beating
and thorns. Eyes, cleansed from dirt and sweat
that clogged and stung, now
fill with tears at such a tender touch.

May we see the face of Christ in the tears which others weep. Amen.


Station 7 - Jesus falls the second time

Apple taken, nakedness hidden,
excuses made, judgement given,
expelled and barred, enter stage
left, a second Adam, falling up.

May our fragilities and fallibilities be healed by your sacrifice for the fallenness of all. Amen.


Station 8 - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Wail and mourn, keen and grieve
for a mother’s son untimely torn
from life, for all who fall before
their time, for life as grief and pain.

May all those who mourn know the paradox of comfort. Amen.


Station 9 - Jesus falls the third time
Burnt orange, red umber, blazing
while fading, taking one final leap
into the unknown, joining the many
speckling the dusty, dirty highway.

Just as autumn holds the promise of spring, may our falls be redeemed by your resurrection. Amen


Station 10 - Jesus is stripped of his garments

The first Adam covered his nakedness
when sin gripped human life.
The second Adam stands uncovered
to break sin’s vice-like grip.

Strip us of our sin, set us free from all that enslaves us. Amen.


Station 11 - Jesus is nailed to the cross

Blow after hammer blow holds your body
to the cross. Yet, if you had willed so,
you could have walked away. You did not
so will, your will held you crucified and dying.

Enable us to set our faces like flint as we follow in your footsteps. Amen.


Station 12 - Jesus dies on the cross

The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.

Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.


Station 13 - Jesus is taken down from the cross

Manhandled when beaten, whipped, nailed
and pierced, the body of God
is handled with care as Jesus is taken
in the arms of those who loved him.

Enable us to care tenderly for all who have been abused. Amen.


Station 14 - Jesus is laid in the tomb

Clean linen, scents, perfumes and spices
to cover the stench of decay. Guards set
to prevent the body’s theft. No thought
but return and how to move the stone away.

May we continue to be surprised by all your sweet, clean returns. Amen.

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Adrian Snell - Golgotha.

Friday, 12 April 2019

Holy Week and Easter at St Martin-in-the-Fields

This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, a Palm Sunday procession, led by a donkey, with the Regent Hall Salvation Army Band and the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and our Eucharist includes the dramatization of the Passion Gospel, led by members of the St Martin’s community.The procession begins as we gather behind Admiralty Arch at 9.45am. For those not joining the procession the service in church begins as usual at 10.00am.

At 5.00pm on Palm Sunday, ‘From Creation to Salvation’ is a powerful service of readings and music as we enter into Holy Week, telling the story of salvation, with the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

We welcome you to all of our services for Holy Week and Easter. Join with us as we follow the way of Christ through death to resurrection. Meditations on the Stations of the Cross feature on Monday and there will be a Eucharist on Tuesday. Both are in the Dick Sheppard Chapel. Alternative Stations of the Cross, 6.00pm on 15 April will include pictures, poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. The poems are by Jonathan Evens and the pictures by Henry Shelton.

Bread for the World on Wednesday evening concludes the Confessions of Augustine with Sam Wells preaching and presiding. Maundy Thursday Foot Washing and Institution of the Eucharist starts at 6.30pm with Vigil until 10pm. Good Friday includes an All Age Service at 10am and The Three Hours, with reflections by Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Loughborough at 12-3pm, followed by hot cross buns and coffee in St Martin's Hall.



The Rt Revd Guli Francis-Dehqani is the preacher in our Good Friday Three Hours service of reflections on the passion of Christ. Her theme is ‘A Cry from the Cross for a Lost Homeland.’ With music from the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Bishop Francis-Dehqani comes originally from Iran. Since 2017 she has served the Church of England as the Bishop of Loughborough and has a particular interest in work related to diverse cultures and ethnic minority communities within the Diocese.

Easter Sunday begins with the Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, with the lighting of the new fire on the Portico at 5.30am. It will be followed by Easter Breakfast, Parish Eucharist at 10.00am. 

Find out more about services during Holy Week and Easter here.

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Will Todd - Sabat Mater.

Monday, 15 October 2018

Private View of 'Journey' at All Hallows by the Tower














‘Journey’ is commission4mission's latest group show which opened tonight at All Hallows by the Tower with a Private View. Former Bishop of Barking David Hawkins celebrated 10 years since the initial conversation between Henry Shelton and himself from which sparked into life the idea of commission4mission. He suggested that the development of commission4mission indicates that the good, the true and the beautiful are profoundly attractive characteristics of both God and the arts.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 October and can be viewed during the church’s normal opening hours – Mon – Fri 10.00am – 6.00pm, Sat – Sun 10.00am – 5.00pm (except during services).

The title and theme for the exhibition can be understood in terms of journeys that are emotional, pilgrimage, personal, biblical etc. We encouraged our artists to reflect broadly on the theme and 23 artists have responded with imagery that ranges from birth and death (the journey of life) to geographical journeys (including street scenes), plastic pollution (blown or washed around the globe), and Stations of the Cross, among others. A mix of abstract and representational imagery has been created, utilising ceramics, collage, digital illustration, drawing, painting, photography and sculpture.



‘6 years and 26 miles’ by Hayley Bowen depicts the pilgrimage of 15 year old Mary Jones, a girl from a poor Welsh family, who in the year 1800 walked 26 miles barefoot to the town of Bala (and back again) across rough countryside to buy a copy of the Welsh language Bible from The Rev.Thomas Charles after saving up for one for six years. The story inspired the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

David Hawkins and Dorothy Morris both make use of household plastics in their work. David writes: “2018 has seen carrier bags become the latest culprits of pollution. Yet, backlit by the sun they become angels, and remind us to look for ‘heaven in ordinary’. The Celts celebrated the sacred in everyday life. Even our plastic bags ‘caught in a thicket’ can pose as messengers on Jacob’s ladder, in Mary’s parlour or over the shepherds’ fields. As Donald Allchin used to say, ‘the mundane is the edge of glory’.”

Dorothy Morris says of her work: “These little paintings tell the story of the journey of our household plastics ending up polluting our seas. I live in an idyllic place by an estuary and one day I went for a 20 minute walk and collected 3 bin bags of rubbish! From this walk I have created 30 6×6 canvas images altogether, which I combine in sets of 4 images.”


During the period of the exhibition commission4mission have also organised City Art in Faith: A Guided Walk of selected churches in the City of London, 2-4pm, October 25th 2018. Meet at the entrance of All Hallows-by-the-Tower, Tower Hill. Guided by Mark Lewis, artist and lecturer. No charge but donations appreciated. This walk will include seven churches and Mark will give a brief historical context for each of the churches visited and discuss the contemporary works of art to be found there and the artists who produced them. Walkers will also see examples of contemporary commissioned street sculpture while walking between venues. Churches to be visited: All Hallows-by-the-Tower – St Edmund King and Martyr – St Mary Woolnoth – St Stephen Walbrook – St Lawrence Jewry – St Mary-le-Bow – St Nicholas Cole Abbey. All churches feature in the City of London “Art of Faith” walk.

commission4mission's AGM will be held at 2.00pm at All Hallows by the Tower on Sunday 28 October. At the AGM Mark Lewis will provide information about next year’s commission4mission Art Retreat with the Othona Community in Bradwell-on-Sea (7 – 10 May 2019).

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The Proclaimers - I'm Gonna be (500 Miles).