The Church of the Annunciation Marble Arch

Shayan was baptised today with a small party of family and friends. Do look out for Sahayan and his mother, Kajal when you are next at church.

Many thanks to Annie and members of the Chinese community who organised snacks last week to celebrate Chinese New Year. I hear that it was a great success. Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday so this Sunday is the First Sunday of Lent. We are in the Great Forty Days preparation for Easter, a time period modelled on the days that Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism as he readied himself for his ministry. We will hear about that in the gospel. Many people are still away on half term holiday. If you are traveling back this weekend then I hope that you will do so safely. The good news is that the heating is still working. The bad news is that the invoices arrived today and the Parochial Church Council needs to find over £3000 for the repairs. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Yours in Christ Fr Gerald

Thomson wsa baptized on Sunday 8 February in a church that was so cold that the water almost froze in the copper-lined font. The usual congregation was swelled by 50 members of Thomson's family and friends. Many came from Northern Ireland. They couldn't understand what all the fuss was about the cold!

​​Provided that there is  nothing unexpected between now and Sunday the heating should be working tomorrow. Many thanks to everyone for their forbearance during the last month. The Annunciation will never be as warm as Selfridges but when there is no heating its colder inside than it is outside. If anyone would like to contribute towards the thousands of pounds that it is costing to pay for these works then please let me know. Thank you. This Sunday is called the Sunday next before Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (18 February). Sunday's gospel is the account of the Transfiguration - Christ revealed in glory. As we look towards Lent and Passiontide we are strengthened by knowing that what looks like the defeat of the cross is merely victory hidden. As it is half term next week many people will be away so there is no 7s & Over Sunday School class this week. If there are any older children in church on Sunday then they are welcome to either join the table for the children who are six or stay in church. The pattern at the beginning of mass is that the priest will ask for someone to work with the musician to lead the singing altogether as well as people to lead each table. Please don't be shy to volunteer. Thank you. Chinese members of the congregation are providing Chinese snacks after mass to celebrate Chinese New Year on 19 February. This will be the Year of the Sheep which I believe promises peace and tranquillity. Well, let's hope so! I attach the February edition of the Bulletin. As always many thanks to Niku Banaie and Quyen Chu for putting it together Yours in Christ Fr Gerald

As Ella's grandparents were in London from the US during the week Ella was baptized on Thursday afternoon (5 February).

Nice though it would be to keep our sights fixed on the starry heavens with our devotions undisturbed by earthly realties problems have a nasty habit of breaking in.

As you will know the heating at the Annunciation has failed and it is turning into a bit of a saga. The pump and the thermostat have been replaced and the fan has been repaired. Despite their best efforts the engineers who came this morning found that the control box has now also broken. They tried to get a spare part today but without success.
 
Unfortunately, emergency heating is not an option. Electric heaters would not make much of an impression on a building as large as the Annunciation and gas cylinder heating is both noisy and potentially hazardous with so many children around.
 
All being well the engineers will be able to get the heating going again for Sunday 15th but not tomorrow. So if you are coming please wrap up warm again and as you did last week. I will make sure that the mass is as succinct as possible.
 
It is particularly disappointing that it will be cold tomorrow as during the mass we will be baptizing Thomson Templeton. His parents, Simon and Gillian have invited a large number of family and friends so I hope that the warmth of our welcome will take the edge off the chill of the building.
 
It is with great sadness that we heard during the week of the death of Ian Rainbow. Ian was a regular worshipper at the Annunciation and a member of the Parochial Church Council until around the time that I arrived in 2010. Ian will be cremated privately on Wednesday. There is discussion about a Memorial Service but nothing definite as yet. Please continue to keep the Rainbow-Lairds in your prayers. May Ian now rest in peace.
 
In the liturgy tomorrow we bid farewell to Christ's infancy. It is the Second Sunday before Lent and we will soon be starting the Great Forty Day preparation for Easter. Please bring your palm crosses back so that they can be turned into ash for Ash Wednesday.
 
The readings emphasise the nature of creation. The opening words of John's Gospel remind us that in the beginning was the Word. Creation is not accidental. It is full of purpose. Working out what theat means is the goal of the spiritual journey. We are heaven-bound but the path is rarely straightforward ... or warm!
 
Yours in Christ
 
Fr Gerald
 
PS About money: repairing the heating is costing thousands of pounds. If you would like to become a regular giver or make a one-off donation and need to know how, please contact me. Thank you.