Dear Friends,

The crisis of faith of our time has been called a crisis of hope. Perhaps those around us have lost hope in the future and in the meaning and purpose of life. Perhaps we too have forgotten our hope. But Jesus says to your soul: “You are loved. Whatever happens to you—You are awaited by this Love. The dark door of time, of the future, has been thrown open. Your life will not end in emptiness. You have a goal that justifies all the effort of the journey. And so life is good.”

With love and my prayers,

James

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Sunday and weekday Services

Our weekly service times are:
Sunday 10:00am Eucharist
Tuesday 10:00am Morning Prayer (BCP)
Thursday 10:30am Holy Communion (BCP)

The weekly online service is now a livestream of our Sunday Morning Eucharist Service. The link for the livestream page is https://stmarymagdalene.church/livestream-service/ the Service for the coming Sunday is listed on this page on a Friday. The page includes a video that will go live at approximately 9:55am on Sunday, it also has the words to the hymns, collects and readings and has a downloadable service booklet. It will continue to be made available to those who, for whatever reason, are unable to attend church.

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Introducing Ben Markovic – our new Director of Music

In his final undergraduate year, Ben reads music at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he holds the Aliki Vatikioti Senior Organ Scholar and an academic foundation scholarship in music. He recently held the prestigious Harry Gabb Scholarship of the Royal College of Organists and was until recently the Magister Scholae of the Fisher House Schola Cantorum, Cambridge. He has recently passed his LTCL (in piano performance) with distinction and his ARCO. He was Organ Scholar at Worcester Cathedral during the year 2019-2020, where he was responsible for assisting with the training of the choristers and accompanying the cathedral choirs. He currently studies organ with Jeremiah Stevenson, singing with James Oldfield and Sam Evans, and Alexander Technique with Polly Waterfield.

Ben frequently performs around Cambridge having given solo recitals across Cambridge, and is active as a keyboardist and conductor. Recent performances include playing continuo in Handel’s Xerxes and Dixit Dominus as well as conducting Tchaikowsky’s Symphony 5 in e minor, Mozart’s ‘Great’ Mass in C minor, and Vaughan-Williams’ ‘Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis’. He is also an accompanist on the Sir Arthur Bliss Lieder Scheme 2022/3. Beyond Cambridge, he has recently given recitals in St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Birmingham Cathedral as well as having conducted a service of evensong with his Farrant Choir in Westminster Abbey.

Ben will be joining us on Sunday 5th February.

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Prayer for Ukraine

If you wish to support Ukraine in prayer we have one you may wish to join with and a prayer for world peace on our website: https://stmarymagdalene.church/resources/

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Coffee and a Concert

After the January break, the lunchtime recitals  are resuming. Keith Beniston, a past organist and choir master of our church, will be playing for us at 12:30 on Wednesday 8th February. Coffee and cake will be served from 11:30 in the choir vestry.

The new annual programme is available at the back of the church.

Eleanor Pritchard.

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Community Café – Free, warm, welcoming, safe.

Every Wednesday, from 1:30pm-3:30pm, we will be opening the hall for anyone and everyone as a free, warm, welcoming, and safe place to be for a couple of hours. Cups of tea or coffee will be provided along with the opportunity for somewhere warm to meet others in a friendly and safe space. Starting Wednesday 11th January.

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Coffee Mornings

Well I did say last year would be the last but as several people have asked when the next morning is I thought I would give it another try.
They will start Tuesday 21st March and that will be held by Kate & Bob Bissett
then I have 7 other bookings (dates to be confirmed later) so I am looking for 2 other lovely people who would be happy to hold a morning to help raise money for our beautiful church – Come on – don’t be shy – it is a lovely social morning for all. I will be looking forward to hearing from you.

…further to my request above – I have now only got 2 vacant dates which are Tuesday 15th August & Tuesday 19th September so please everyone have a think & let me know if you could complete the rota whilst helping to raise funds for St Mary’s.

Best wishes to all Rita

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Dates for your diary

February
Wednesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm: Community Café
Wednesday 8th 11:30am: Coffee followed by a Concert at 12:30pm with Keith Beniston returning to play the organ.
Saturday 11th 7:00pm Bingo with Fish and Chips
Wednesday 15th 2:00pm: Fellowship
Wednesday 22nd 8:00pm Ash Wednesday Service with Ashing

March
Wednesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm: Community Café
Wednesday 8th 11:30am: Coffee followed by a Concert at 12:30pm with
Wednesday 15th 2:00pm: Fellowship
Saturday 18th 7:00pm: Clothing swap
Sunday 19th 10am: Mothering Sunday