1 Samuel 2.18-20, 26
Colossians 3.12-17
Psalm 148
Luke 2.41-end
The still point of Kershinik's picture is the three women, absorbed in the child. They have no eyes for anything around them. Mary is weary but utterly contented, already the pain and blood of childbirth fading as the new life begins to take on reality. The lovely curve of darkness around her mirrors her complete lack of interest in anything beyond, as well as her trust in Joseph and the two young women who have helped to bring her safely here, to this moment. The midwives, too, are transfixed by the baby. They must have seen this sight so often before; perhaps each one is magical, or perhaps there is something particular about this one. It will not be long before they notice something going on around them - the hosts of heaven are already brushing past their heads.
If Mary feels completely secure, leaning back against what looks like a rucksack, anchored only by Joseph's strength, Joseph's attitude suggests that he does not quite feel up to the task. He receives the full force of the gaze of the myriad angels, and he is not coping well. It looks as though he wasn't quite ready for the scale of what he is in for. There is a strong sense of momenrum in the picture as the angelic hordes blow in from the left and sail off to the right. They do not stay to snuggle up with the baby in warmth and contentment: they are witnesses, messengers, and they have work to do. The mother dog, with her litter of puppies, is watching the departing angels with great delight; this is good news for the rest of creation, too.
The witnesses in Kershinik's painting swirl around the Mother and Child, making a protective space for them even as they proclaim the good news. The space and the good news are inseparable; our place of safety is the place we make for others
Jane Williams
A Happy New Year to all our readers!
Holy Trinity Church will be open every day for prayer and worship throughout this week.
The Parish Office does not re-open until Thursday 3 January but the telephone and e-mail will be checked daily and a priest will usually be available if needed.
Start the New Year at the altar of God!
Why not begin the New Year in prayer by joining us at Holy Trinity Church at 11am on January 1 for a Eucharist with Hymns followed by a glass of fizz to welcome 2019!
A date in your diary
With 2019 just around the corner, be sure to pick up your copy of our 2019 diary available in church from Sunday (December 16). The diary contains details of all our key celebrations in the coming year, including the names of some of our guest preachers. We hope that the new Bishop of London, The Rt. Revd. and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullaly, will also come to the parish in 2019 as will the Bishop of Kensington and the Bishop of Fulham.
Follow the star!
On Sunday 6 January we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and recall the day that the wise men came from the East to see the new-born King.
At the Sung Eucharist at 11am we will have some special, royal visitors and after the service we will enjoy the French speciality, Galettes des Rois . Children coming to church are invited to dress up as Kings.
In the evening at 6pm there will be an Epiphany Carol Service led by Holy Trinity Choir.
Christmas Lunch serves up festive joy
Our first Parish Christmas Lunch saw 35 members of the congregation sit down to Roast Turkey with all the trimmings at St. Saviour's Church on December 23. The lunch, arranged by Fr. Grant and members of our Events team, included a generous helping of Christmas pudding and a gift cake for everybody attending. The afternoon was rounded off by Christmas carols with Michael and Salendar Ashcroft at the piano and Fr. Nicholas reading 'The Night Before Christmas', his favourite Christmas poem.
A new name and a new look for a new year
Our new Parish Website is now live on the internet. www.sloanechurch.org will enable all those looking for Holy Trinity's website to find details of our Christmas services, regular services, the weekly news bulletin and contact addresses.
A new e-mail system will launch soon and new e-mail addresses will appear for the clergy and staff team but don't worry...the old e-mail addresses will continue to reach their destination too! We hope it won't be too long into 2019 before our new website makes its debut.
DIARY DATES
Tuesday 1 January New Year's Day Eucharist with Hymns
and drinks reception
11am
Sunday 6 January The Epiphany Epiphany Carol Service
6pm
PARISH DIARY
All events at Holy Trinity Sloane Square unless otherwise stated
SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER First Sunday of Christmas
Intention: Parish and People
8.30am Holy Communion
11.00am Sung Eucharist
and Junior Church Holy Trinity Choir
A New Year Carol Benjamin Britten
Mass for Four Voices William Byrd
Bethlehem Down Peter Warlock Preacher: The Rev’d Grant Bolton-Debbage
Monday 31 December (New Year's Eve)
John Wycliffe, Theologian and Reformer, 1384 Intention: Those who have died
Tuesday 1 January(New Year's Day) The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus Intention: Those who have moved into the parish 11.00am Eucharist with Hymns
and drinks reception
Wednesday 2 January Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus Intention: Those who are sick and in pain 1.00pm Holy Communion
6.30pm Eucharist Thursday 3 January Intention: Children and their carers 6.30pm Requiem Mass Friday 4 January Intention: For the homeless
Saturday 5 January Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury Intention: Those in debt 11.00am Church cleaning
SUNDAY 6 JANUARY The Feast of the Epiphany
Intention: Parish and People
8.30am Holy Communion
11.00am Sung Eucharist
with Junior Church Preacher: The Rev'd Canon Nicholas Wheeler 1.00pm Servers' Epiphany Party at the Rectory
6.00pm Epiphany Carol Service
WHO'S WHO and CONTACTS
RECTOR The Revd. Canon Nicholas Wheeler E-mail: rector@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
ASSISTANT PRIEST The Revd. Grant Bolton-Debbage E-mail: priest@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
ASSISTANT CURATE The Revd. Paul Gismondi E-mail: curate@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
HONORARY ASSISTANT The Rt. Revd. Dr. Michael Marshall
CHURCHWARDENS Jeffrey Kabel and Caroline Watts
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR Sophie Wilson E-mail: parishoffice@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7730 7270
FACILITIES AND EVENTS MANAGER Clinton McMaster E-mail@ events@holytrinitysloanesquare.co.uk
Telephone: 020 7730 7270
