FROM THE RECTOR
Happy Easter
Easter is always a time of hope and renewal. This time of year is special not only for Christians around the world, but for everyone. It is a time which brings freshness and cheer as the winter months ebb away and spring comes into bud. I wish you all a very Happy Easter when it comes and the joy and hope of the season.
The Maundy Thursday Mass is the last service I take at St Botolph’s before I go off on my three-month sabbatical. During my time away I will be walking a significant part of the Camino de Santiago. There are five main routes to walk to Santiago de Compostela all ending at the cathedral in the city. My elder sister and I will be taking the Camino Francés (The French Way). The section we are walking takes us right across Spain, East to West staying in different villages each night along the way.
The Camino is an ancient pilgrimage walked by millions of pilgrims over the centuries, each seeking spiritual refreshment and closeness to God. Please pray for us on our journey as I will pray for you all and the community of St Botolph’s in my absence. During my three-month sabbatical I hope to spend some time with my friends, the Benedictine Monks at Douai Abbey, the Monastery of St Edmund, King and Martyr in Berkshire, which I know well. Amongst other things I will also spend time in Ireland, Scotland and Northumberland where I will be visiting the holy sites of St Cedd and praying on Lindisfarne (Holy Island) remembering St Aidan, St Cuthbert, and St Chad.
I will be breaking my sabbatical to return to St Botolph’s for our Patronal Festival which we will celebrate with our St Botolph’s Feast Mass on Wednesday 17 June followed by a party. I will then complete my sabbatical returning to the church on Monday 6 July.
In the meantime, God bless you and enjoy the Spring.
With God’s love and blessing,
Fr David
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REGULAR CHURCH OPENING AND SERVICE TIMES
The church is open for public worship and private prayer every Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm (although we are closed on Easter Monday, 6 April), maintaining God’s physical presence in the City of London.
Our regular services are Choral Mass with sermon on Wednesdays at 1.10 pm, and Said Masses on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.10 pm.
Please note that the Tuesday 8.10 am Mass has been withdrawn.
HOLY WEEK AT ST BOTOLPH’S
Monday 30 March – Monday in Holy Week -Said Mass at 12.10 pm
Tuesday 31 March – Tuesday in Holy Week – Said Mass at 12.10 pm
Wednesday 1 April – Wednesday in Holy Week – Said Mass at 8.10 am
Forgiveness: music and reflections for Holy Week at 1.10 pm with St Botolph’s Choir (Ne irascaris and Civitas sancti tui Byrd, The Crown of Roses Tchaikovsky, O Saviour of the World Ouseley)
Maundy Thursday, 2 April – Our loyal team of bellringers will ring a quarter peal before Mass on this solemn day
Choral Mass with Maundy Ceremonies at 1.10 pm (Missa Quarti Toni Victoria, Ubi caritas plainchant, Nos autem gloriari Palestrina)
After the Maundy Thursday service the Watch will be kept at the Altar of Repose until 3.00pm, following which St Botolph’s will be closed until Easter Tuesday morning. Our first service of Eastertide will be the 12.10 pm Said Mass on Tuesday 7 April.
For details of services at St Paul’s Cathedral see www.stpauls.co.uk
EASTER WEEK SERVICES AT ST BOTOLPH’S:
Fr David starts his sabbatical in Easter Week and we are grateful as ever for the assistance of our visiting clergy.
Tuesday in Easter Week, 7 April: Said Mass with Easter Ceremonies at 12.10 pm celebrated by Fr Barrie Newton
Wednesday in Easter Week, 8 April: Choral Mass at 1.10 pm celebrated by Fr Peter McGeary (Messe pour deux voix égales Chaminade, Christo resurgenti Couperin, Offertoire sur le chant d’O filii et filiae Lebègue)
Thursday in Easter Week, 9 April: Said Mass at 12.10 pm celebrated by Fr Brian Lewis
MUSIC AT CHORAL SERVICES FOR THE REMAINDER OF APRIL
Wednesday 15 April
in the week of The Second Sunday of Easter (Mass in G Casali, Quia vidisti me, Thoma Hassler, Erstanden ist der heilge Christ, BWV 628 Bach)
Wednesday 22 April
of S George, Patron of England, Communion Service in C Ireland, Give us the wings of faith Bullock, Postlude in C Smart
Wednesday 29 April
in the week of The Fourth Sunday of Easter (Missa Brevis in C, K 458 (‘Spaur’ or ‘Piccolomini’ Mass) Mozart, Surrexit pastor bonus Regnart, Basse de trompette Couperin)
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SERVICES AND EVENTS AT ST BOTOLPH’S DURING APRIL
Public Speaking classes – special offer on next course of sessions from 21 April
Stage and the City continue to run regular sessions here at St Botolph’s: participants enjoy making use of the good acoustics of both the church and the Hall. The training helps build lasting presentation, communication, and public speaking skills, and the sessions combine practical workshops, expert coaching and individual feedback. You will find more information about the courses here: www.afperformingarts.com/stage-and-the-city/classes/type/public-speaking
The next series of sessions begins on 21 April, and Stage and the City have offered a special early bird rate to any member of St Botolph’s congregation who would like to join. If you would like to take advantage of the special offer, please contact Mhairi at church@botolph.org.uk.
Wednesday 22 April – XLP 30th anniversary Service of Thanksgiving
At St Botolph’s we have a long-standing relationship with All Hallows on the Wall, the Guild Church in our parish, and with the youth charity XLP (The Excel Project) which has its offices there. We were pleased to be able to offer XLP the use of St Botolph’s on Wednesday 22 April as they celebrate their 30th anniversary with a Service of Thanksgiving followed by refreshments. Speakers during the event will include the charity’s founder Patrick Regan OBE and The Rt Revd Rob Wickham, former Bishop of Edmonton, now CEO of the Church Urban Fund. All are warmly invited – please register attendance by Friday 10 April at www.xlp.org.uk/xlp30
Thursday 23 April – annual visit of the Ewell Morris Men
Although we are anticipating the Feast Day of St George, Patron of England, at our Wednesday Choral Mass on 22 April, we are also looking forward to the annual visit of the Ewell Morris Men on the day itself, Thursday 23 April. Timing is yet to be confirmed, but will be publicised on the website when it is – they usually dance in the Churchyard from about 12.45 after the lunchtime service.
Saturday 25 April – Hymn Society London Regional Day
We welcome the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland for their London Regional Day on Saturday 25 April. A series of talks and workshops in the Hall during the day will culminate in hymn-singing in the church – the Society has promised to include some hymns written by St Botolph’s former Rector, the distinguished cleric and hymn-writer Bishop Richard Mant, in celebration of his 250th anniversary year. There is more information on the flyer which follows: