The true light was coming into the worldThe glorious words of the first chapter of St John’s Gospel are resonating once again within the dome of St Stephen Walbrook as we start the happy procession of carol services that we are privileged to host. In the frenzied weeks of December I hope that you will be able to take refreshing Advent pauses to prepare to celebrate anew the astonishing surprise of the gift of this transforming light of life that God offers to all. God’s coming among us in our chaos as a vulnerable child is the ultimate celebration of all humanity. God invites us all to join in the divine life by receiving and shining his light for the lost, the struggling and the many for whom the commercialised Christmas can be a particular challenge. I very much look forward to seeing you at Walbrook during this thrilling season at one or more of the events listed within and on the website. I wish you fruitful Advent pauses and an exhilarating, light-filled Christmas. Blessings, Stephen.

4 3The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook December 2019 www.ststephenwalbrook.net

St Stephen WalbrookParish Newsletter

www.facebook.com/ststephenec4n www.twitter.com/StStephenEC4N

December 2019

St Stephen Walbrook39 Walbrook London, EC4N 8BN

020 7626 9000www.ststephenwalbrook.net Priest : The Reverend Stephen Baxter

December Service Times

Advent Quiet Hour 8am-9am every Wednesday & Thursday An hour of silence & stillness each Wednesday and Thursday in Advent.

Wednesday 18th December 6pm Parish Carol Service Join us to sing a selection of your favourite Christmas Carols. Followed by mulled wine & mince pies. Tuesday 24th December 11.30pm Midnight Mass Join us to celebrate the birth of Christ. Music sung by The St Stephen Voices. Followed by refreshments.

MONDAY Church Open from 10am TUESDAY 7.45am - 9.15am : Start Stop 10 minute reflections beginning on the quarter hour. Start the day by stopping to reflect. Last reflection starts at 9am.

1.00pm Lunchtime Concert organised by the Walbrook Music Trust. WEDNESDAY 1.00pm-1.45pm : Community Choir Rehearsal - All Welcome. Wednesday 4th, 11th 18th December - 8am-9am Advent Quiet Hour Wednesday 18th December 6pm - Parish Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies. THURSDAY 12.45pm Sung Eucharist Followed by light lunch. 2.00pm Prayer Group Meeting with the London Internet Church

Thursday 5th, 12th & 19th December 8am-9am Advent Quiet Hour FRIDAY 12.30pm Organ Recital Free entry with retiring collection. Bring your lunch and enjoy the music!

Visit our website for more details www.ststephenwalbrook.net/events

The church will be open between Christmas and the New Year, please check our website for times. Services will resume with Start:Stop on Tuesday 7th January 2020 from 7.45am.

Advent + Christmas at St Stephen Walbrook

To ensure that St Stephen Walbrook continues to remain at the heart of life for those who live, work in and visit the City - helping to build the Kingdom here on earth - we have launched a Parish Survey. Please do fill in and return a copy, which is enclosed with this newsletter and can also be found online via our website www.ststephenwalbrook.net

Please complete our Parish Survey

A huge thank you to John Seagrim for masterminding the replacement lights in the dome. All of the flickering flourescent bulbs have been replaced with state of the art energy efficient bulbs. Thank you too to our verger Lee for all the high-level dusting using the cherry-picker!

And there was light!

Time & Space for Prayer and Reflection in Advent at our Quiet Hour

Advent is always a busy time at St Stephen Walbrook. Each evening we welcome a different Livery Company and charity to church for carol services. Making space and time for prayer and reflection is also important at this time of year, so the church will be open for a Quiet Hour every Wednesday and Thursday in Advent from 8am-9am for prayer and reflection before the working day. Drop in when you can.

A warm welcome to the newest member of our Walbrook family! Leander Williamson was baptised on 23rd November. Thank you to Mum and Dad, Amy and Arthur, for the glorious picture!

2 3The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook December 2019 www.ststephenwalbrook.net

More than one thousand people came up the steps of the church, through the door and lifted up their eyes in awe as the doors of the church were opened during Open House London weekend.

A huge thank you to Reverend Stephen and Lee, our Verger, for their informative talks every hour, to Tom for the wonderful organ interludes and to Tom, Elizabeth and the Community Choir for the beautiful singing at lunchtime.

Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you. (Isaiah 60.4)

We welcomed 250 guests to church on Monday 4th November to give thanks to God for the work of The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor Peter Estlin and Lady Mayoress Lindy Estlin for their year in office and for the work of the City Livery Companies and Ward Clubs and their contribution to the life of the City of London.

In his address, The Reverend Prebendary Jeremy Crossley, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor highlighted in particular the Lord Mayor’s overseas visits to thirty four cities in twenty five countries, enhancing the profile of the City of London at home and abroad. The St Stephen’s Voices and Brandenburg Brass were conducted by Dr Andrew Earis, with organist Michael Cayton. Music included the Evening Canticles to a setting in G by Charles Villiers Stanford and O Thou the central orb by Charles Wood. Thank you to all who joined us for this special service, particularly those who helped to welcome guests and organise the reception afterwards. We are especially grateful to Robert and Robyn Wilson of The Don Restaurant and Bistro for their generous donation towards the reception after the service, which was enjoyed by all.

Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart (Psalm 34)

We welcomed Matilde Damele, an Italian photographer from Bologna, to St Stephen Walbrook in September. Her black and white documentary style photographs were displayed in church as sculptures – printed on the surface of black plastic bin bags filled with yesterday’s newspapers. Matilde’s work evokes feelings of fragility and vulnerability; a humanity that is estranged from reality. Matilde was pleased to exhibit her unusual work in the birthplace of the Samaritans; a building dedicated to spiritual contemplation, hope and compassion. Thank you to Joanna Bryant and Julian Page for curating the exhibition.

Exiles by Matilde Damele

More visitors than ever join us for Open House Weekend

Introducing our celebration of the Fantastic Feats of St Stephen Walbrook on 26th September, Reverend Stephen reminded us that at his licensing the Archdeacon said that he had been entrusted with some fantastic “kit” to put to good use. This kit includes our beautiful church designed by Christopher Wren, our beautiful altar by Henry Moore, our legacy as the birthplace of the Samaritans and the vibrant ministry and music of St Stephen Walbrook which all continue to have a transformative effect on the life of people living, working and visiting the City of London and beyond.

In her opening address, renowned art and architectural historian The Reverend Dr Ayla Lepine referenced the martyrdom of St Stephen and reflected on stones as a destructive as well as a creative force. Ayla also explored the biblical imagery of hearts of stone being replaced with hearts of flesh - the essence of which can perhaps be seen in the quality of the altar - and also in the work of the Samaritans; an organisation which, Ayla revealed for the first time, that she has turned to at points in her own life for much needed support.

Our talented Choral Scholars performed beautiful music through the ages from I Was Glad by Henry Purcell through to Locus Iste by Tarik O’Regan. The Venerable Peter Delaney MBE, Priest-in-Charge here for ten years, led Lord Peter Palumbo and Felicity Harding OBE on a “romp through memory.” Felicity described growing up at the church and reminded us that the Samaritans, founded by her father Chad Varah, was the world’s first telephone hotline, harnessing the gifts of technology and compassion - although she explained that her father always said he didn’t found the Samaritans - they found him.

Lord Palumbo described the process of restoring and reordering the church after the damage during the war. He explained that there is no other building in the City that has such an impact on the souls of those who come inside. He revealed how Henry Moore contemplated the design of the altar for five months before putting pen to paper. Lord Palumbo explained that Henry Moore’s

polystyrene maquette was perfectly proportioned and needed no adjustment. So perfect is the relationship between the architecture and the altar that Margaret Thatcher, on seeing the reordered church for the first time remarked ”Mr Palumbo tell me, which came first, the church or the altar?” In summing up, Fr Peter Delaney said that the Fantastic Feats of this place remind us of the greatest feat of all - the power of profound creation. Thank you to all our speakers and to everyone who came to celebrate with us.

The Fantastic Feats of St Stephen Walbrook

Celebrating the transformative impact of our church!

The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook

2 3The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook December 2019 www.ststephenwalbrook.net

More than one thousand people came up the steps of the church, through the door and lifted up their eyes in awe as the doors of the church were opened during Open House London weekend.

A huge thank you to Reverend Stephen and Lee, our Verger, for their informative talks every hour, to Tom for the wonderful organ interludes and to Tom, Elizabeth and the Community Choir for the beautiful singing at lunchtime.

Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you. (Isaiah 60.4)

We welcomed 250 guests to church on Monday 4th November to give thanks to God for the work of The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor Peter Estlin and Lady Mayoress Lindy Estlin for their year in office and for the work of the City Livery Companies and Ward Clubs and their contribution to the life of the City of London.

In his address, The Reverend Prebendary Jeremy Crossley, Chaplain to the Lord Mayor highlighted in particular the Lord Mayor’s overseas visits to thirty four cities in twenty five countries, enhancing the profile of the City of London at home and abroad. The St Stephen’s Voices and Brandenburg Brass were conducted by Dr Andrew Earis, with organist Michael Cayton. Music included the Evening Canticles to a setting in G by Charles Villiers Stanford and O Thou the central orb by Charles Wood. Thank you to all who joined us for this special service, particularly those who helped to welcome guests and organise the reception afterwards. We are especially grateful to Robert and Robyn Wilson of The Don Restaurant and Bistro for their generous donation towards the reception after the service, which was enjoyed by all.

Service of Thanksgiving for the Lord Mayor

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart (Psalm 34)

We welcomed Matilde Damele, an Italian photographer from Bologna, to St Stephen Walbrook in September. Her black and white documentary style photographs were displayed in church as sculptures – printed on the surface of black plastic bin bags filled with yesterday’s newspapers. Matilde’s work evokes feelings of fragility and vulnerability; a humanity that is estranged from reality. Matilde was pleased to exhibit her unusual work in the birthplace of the Samaritans; a building dedicated to spiritual contemplation, hope and compassion. Thank you to Joanna Bryant and Julian Page for curating the exhibition.

Exiles by Matilde Damele

More visitors than ever join us for Open House Weekend

Introducing our celebration of the Fantastic Feats of St Stephen Walbrook on 26th September, Reverend Stephen reminded us that at his licensing the Archdeacon said that he had been entrusted with some fantastic “kit” to put to good use. This kit includes our beautiful church designed by Christopher Wren, our beautiful altar by Henry Moore, our legacy as the birthplace of the Samaritans and the vibrant ministry and music of St Stephen Walbrook which all continue to have a transformative effect on the life of people living, working and visiting the City of London and beyond.

In her opening address, renowned art and architectural historian The Reverend Dr Ayla Lepine referenced the martyrdom of St Stephen and reflected on stones as a destructive as well as a creative force. Ayla also explored the biblical imagery of hearts of stone being replaced with hearts of flesh - the essence of which can perhaps be seen in the quality of the altar - and also in the work of the Samaritans; an organisation which, Ayla revealed for the first time, that she has turned to at points in her own life for much needed support.

Our talented Choral Scholars performed beautiful music through the ages from I Was Glad by Henry Purcell through to Locus Iste by Tarik O’Regan. The Venerable Peter Delaney MBE, Priest-in-Charge here for ten years, led Lord Peter Palumbo and Felicity Harding OBE on a “romp through memory.” Felicity described growing up at the church and reminded us that the Samaritans, founded by her father Chad Varah, was the world’s first telephone hotline, harnessing the gifts of technology and compassion - although she explained that her father always said he didn’t found the Samaritans - they found him.

Lord Palumbo described the process of restoring and reordering the church after the damage during the war. He explained that there is no other building in the City that has such an impact on the souls of those who come inside. He revealed how Henry Moore contemplated the design of the altar for five months before putting pen to paper. Lord Palumbo explained that Henry Moore’s

polystyrene maquette was perfectly proportioned and needed no adjustment. So perfect is the relationship between the architecture and the altar that Margaret Thatcher, on seeing the reordered church for the first time remarked ”Mr Palumbo tell me, which came first, the church or the altar?” In summing up, Fr Peter Delaney said that the Fantastic Feats of this place remind us of the greatest feat of all - the power of profound creation. Thank you to all our speakers and to everyone who came to celebrate with us.

The Fantastic Feats of St Stephen Walbrook

Celebrating the transformative impact of our church!

The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook

The true light was coming into the worldThe glorious words of the first chapter of St John’s Gospel are resonating once again within the dome of St Stephen Walbrook as we start the happy procession of carol services that we are privileged to host. In the frenzied weeks of December I hope that you will be able to take refreshing Advent pauses to prepare to celebrate anew the astonishing surprise of the gift of this transforming light of life that God offers to all. God’s coming among us in our chaos as a vulnerable child is the ultimate celebration of all humanity. God invites us all to join in the divine life by receiving and shining his light for the lost, the struggling and the many for whom the commercialised Christmas can be a particular challenge. I very much look forward to seeing you at Walbrook during this thrilling season at one or more of the events listed within and on the website. I wish you fruitful Advent pauses and an exhilarating, light-filled Christmas. Blessings, Stephen.

4 3The Parish of St Stephen Walbrook December 2019 www.ststephenwalbrook.net

St Stephen WalbrookParish Newsletter

www.facebook.com/ststephenec4n www.twitter.com/StStephenEC4N

December 2019

St Stephen Walbrook39 Walbrook London, EC4N 8BN

020 7626 9000www.ststephenwalbrook.net Priest : The Reverend Stephen Baxter

December Service Times

Advent Quiet Hour 8am-9am every Wednesday & Thursday An hour of silence & stillness each Wednesday and Thursday in Advent.

Wednesday 18th December 6pm Parish Carol Service Join us to sing a selection of your favourite Christmas Carols. Followed by mulled wine & mince pies. Tuesday 24th December 11.30pm Midnight Mass Join us to celebrate the birth of Christ. Music sung by The St Stephen Voices. Followed by refreshments.

MONDAY Church Open from 10am TUESDAY 7.45am - 9.15am : Start Stop 10 minute reflections beginning on the quarter hour. Start the day by stopping to reflect. Last reflection starts at 9am.

1.00pm Lunchtime Concert organised by the Walbrook Music Trust. WEDNESDAY 1.00pm-1.45pm : Community Choir Rehearsal - All Welcome. Wednesday 4th, 11th 18th December - 8am-9am Advent Quiet Hour Wednesday 18th December 6pm - Parish Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies. THURSDAY 12.45pm Sung Eucharist Followed by light lunch. 2.00pm Prayer Group Meeting with the London Internet Church

Thursday 5th, 12th & 19th December 8am-9am Advent Quiet Hour FRIDAY 12.30pm Organ Recital Free entry with retiring collection. Bring your lunch and enjoy the music!

Visit our website for more details www.ststephenwalbrook.net/events

The church will be open between Christmas and the New Year, please check our website for times. Services will resume with Start:Stop on Tuesday 7th January 2020 from 7.45am.

Advent + Christmas at St Stephen Walbrook

To ensure that St Stephen Walbrook continues to remain at the heart of life for those who live, work in and visit the City - helping to build the Kingdom here on earth - we have launched a Parish Survey. Please do fill in and return a copy, which is enclosed with this newsletter and can also be found online via our website www.ststephenwalbrook.net

Please complete our Parish Survey

A huge thank you to John Seagrim for masterminding the replacement lights in the dome. All of the flickering flourescent bulbs have been replaced with state of the art energy efficient bulbs. Thank you too to our verger Lee for all the high-level dusting using the cherry-picker!

And there was light!

Time & Space for Prayer and Reflection in Advent at our Quiet Hour

Advent is always a busy time at St Stephen Walbrook. Each evening we welcome a different Livery Company and charity to church for carol services. Making space and time for prayer and reflection is also important at this time of year, so the church will be open for a Quiet Hour every Wednesday and Thursday in Advent from 8am-9am for prayer and reflection before the working day. Drop in when you can.

A warm welcome to the newest member of our Walbrook family! Leander Williamson was baptised on 23rd November. Thank you to Mum and Dad, Amy and Arthur, for the glorious picture!