On Sunday 2nd February, we will celebrate Candlemas – also known as the Feast of the Presentation – with services of Holy Communion at 9am and again at 10.30am. Revd Vanessa Conant will lead and preside, and Revd Tim Scott will preach. 

At Candlemas, which concludes the season of Epiphany, Jesus – who is both ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles’ and ‘the glory of God’s people Israel’ (Luke 2:32) – is presented by Mary and Joseph in the temple, according to the Law of Israel. It is in the temple that Jesus is recognised by Simeon and Anna as the Christ: the promised one who will save God’s people. But as the Church of England writes, ‘the redemption (Jesus) will bring must be won through suffering; the Incarnation is directed to the Passion; and Simeon’s final words move our attention away from the celebration of Christmas and towards the mysteries of Easter.’ 

At our 10.30am service, we will also have an interview with Revd Jacintha Danaswamy about our upcoming ‘Listen and Lead’ course as well as supervised children’s groups in the Welcome Centre, with a Baby Lounge in the South Vestry at both services. 

We hope you will join us for this Sunday’s special Candlemas celebration as we bless candles and recognise Jesus as the light of the world. For those unable to join us in person, we will live-stream the 9am service to our Facebook page (facebook.com/StMarysE17). 

There will also be evening prayer in the church led by St Luke’s at 6pm.