Dear St Mary’s, 

It was wonderful to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday as part of a busy weekend which also saw us host a brilliant Christmas Fair on Saturday and a Welcome Service for the new Archdeacon of West Ham on Sunday afternoon. This Sunday (1st December) is the First Sunday of Advent, and we’ll share Holy Communion at 9am and 10.30am, with Revd Jacintha Danaswamy leading/ presiding and Revd Tim Scott preaching.

As the Church of England writes, ‘Advent marks the beginning of the Church year. It is a time for reflection in darkness, for renewal of hope, and for a movement towards a beginning. The season of Advent, as it first emerged in the Church in the fourth and fifth centuries, lasted, like Lent, for 40 days. Later tradition developed the Advent we know today, of four Sundays before Christmas Day. It is a season of expectation…as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ. Church decorations are simple and sparse…and natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas.’ 

Join us this Sunday as we light the first Advent candle and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. We will have supervised children’s groups at 10.30am, and our 9am Holy Communion service will be livestreamed to our Facebook page (facebook.com/StMarysE17). 

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

2024 Advent and Christmas Schedule + Walk Up Tickets Only for Orchestral Carols
In addition to our Sunday Advent services at 9am and 10.30am, we’ll have special services throughout December, including two evening carol services, community carols on The Drive and Attlee Terrace, three Christingle services on Christmas Eve, and a 10.30am Christmas Day Family Communion service. Please be aware that there are two services which require booking: Orchestral Carols on the evening of Sunday 15th December, and Quiet Christmas (for neurodiverse children) on Saturday 21st December. Unfortunately, Orchestral Carols is already fully booked, however, there will be a limited number of walk-up tickets available on the day. A full schedule with booking links is at www.stmaryswalthamstow.org/christmas. 

Vespers Returns on Wednesday 4th December for Final Gathering of 2024
Join us on Wednesday 4th December at 7.30pm for our monthly Vespers gathering, with Holy Communion celebrated afterwards in the side chapel for those who would like to stay. Vespers is held on the first Wednesday of every month – a beautiful candlelit space in our ancient church where many have gathered over eight years to practise contemplative prayer, explore faith or simply sit in silence. Whether you’re looking to deepen your prayer life or just need a quiet place to sit, do come along to Vespers – it would be wonderful to have you. 

Join St Mary’s Christmas Choir + Rehearsal Dates 
St Mary’s is putting a choir together for the beautiful Carols by Candlelight service – held on Sunday 22nd December at 6pm – and all are welcome to join. Rehearsals are on Friday 13th December and Friday 20th December, 7-8.30pm, with a 3.30pm rehearsal the day of the service. Those interested in joining the choir can hear music in advance by clicking here, or by emailing Musical Director Jonathan Rathbone at . 

St Mary’s Ruttle & Rowe Cafe + Play Area During December 
Our partners Ruttle & Rowe will be operating their St Mary’s cafe in the run-up to Christmas, including on Christmas Eve, but will be closed from Christmas Day through the New Year, reopening on Epiphany (Monday 6th January 2025). Though we will have a number of school services and other daytime events happening in the church throughout the month of December, Ruttle & Rowe will remain open, however, seating may occasionally be moved to the Exhibition Space, including on Christmas Eve, and our Play Area will occasionally be closed. Please check our website or social media channels for the latest information. 

Crochet/ Knitting Group Meeting on Saturday 1st December in Exhibition Space
St Mary’s has started a crochet and knitting group which has now met several times in our Exhibition Space in the church extension, and has had a brilliant response. The group will meet again this Saturday 1st December, 10am-Noon. Bring wool, needles, crochet hooks and whatever you’re working on; if you’re a beginner, do let us know in advance so we can provide wool and crochet hooks! For details, email  . 

Final Service for Revd Alan Moss on 15th December + Worth Unlimited Donations 
Revd Alan Moss has been appointed Estates Youth Missional Lead for the Diocese of Chelmsford and his last official Sunday service at St Mary’s will be on 15th December. Some of Alan’s work in Walthamstow has involved creating stronger links with Worth Unlimited, a local Christian youth charity, and in lieu of financial leaving gifts, Alan has asked that we consider donating to Worth Unlimited as a way of thanking him for his ministry. Donations can be made via the tap-and-go donation boxes in church (select ‘Worth Unlimited’); by donating via our website (stmaryswalthasmtow.com/donate) and writing ‘Worth Unlimited’ in the notes; or by donating via the Worth Unlimited website (worthunlimited.co.uk/donate). 

Praying for and Giving to St Mary’s this Advent 
As St Mary’s continues to operate in a deficit budget in order to keep our ancient building open to all during the week, please pray for our clergy, staff team and PCC as we continue to try and work out the best way forward. If St Mary’s is your church, please consider this Advent whether you might give monthly by standing order if you don’t already. You can donate via the Parish Giving Scheme (which automatically allows us to reclaim Gift Aid) by going to parishgiving.org.uk and searching ‘St Mary’s Walthamstow’ on the ‘Find Your Parish’ page; you can also set up a standing order at stmaryswalthamstow.org/donate. 

Parish Listening Session at Crate on Saturday 30th November, 11am  
Outside facilitators David and Janie Beales will lead a listening meeting for anyone in the Parish interested in exploring new ministry opportunities, including in and around Walthamstow High Street where St Luke’s previously ran a ministry to the Farmers’ Market, on Saturday 30th November, 11am to 1pm, at Crate at 17 & Central (The Mall). All are welcome to join the conversation – no booking required, just drop in. 

EcoTip: Reuse and Recycle Fair on Saturday 30th November in Walthamstow, 12-4pm
Waltham Forest Council’s next Reuse and Recycle Fair will take place this Saturday 30th November, 12-4pm, at Big Creative Academy, 38 Clifton Avenue, Walthamstow, E17 6HL. Entry to the fair – where you can find new ways to reuse, repair, repurpose and upcycle everyday items, just in time for Christmas – is free, and local organisations will be on hand to help, including Dr Bike, the Re-Loved Club, and Walthamstow Toy Library (Give and Take). Waltham Forest Council is also taking part in the ‘Great Cable Challenge’ this year and is inviting you to bring unwanted or broken chargers/ electric cables to the fair for recycling. 

Please pray this week for:

• Fragile steps towards peace in the Middle East 
• A just transition for communities as the UK moves away from polluting fossil fuels 
• St Mary’s as we enter Advent and prepare to welcome the community to our services
• Our ability to finance ministry/ keep our church open in the week given rising costs 
• All who are mourning the loss of a relationship or loved one this Advent/ Christmas 
• Those working in caring professions 
• Those who are living in food or energy poverty, or lack housing – for help and hope 
• God to powerfully work in the hearts of many this Advent season 
• Charities and community groups working to lift up communities/ help those in need 
• St Mary’s clergy and leadership, as well as others who lead churches elsewhere 
• For those who are unwell in body, mind or spirit – for healing and encouragement

Next Week in the Welcome Centre (2nd-7th December) 

Monday 2nd December 
Daphne & Friends (baby and child loss community), 10-11am 
Ward Panel with MET Police (in the church), 6.30-8.30pm 
Waltham Forest Community Choir, 7.30-9.30pm 

Tuesday 3rd December 
Walthamstow Singers, 7-8.30pm 

Wednesday 4th December  
HulaFit, 6.30-7.30pm 
Vespers (in the church), 7.30-8.30pm 

Thursday 5th December 
Baby Massage, 10.30am
FoodCycle (free community meal), 6.30pm 
The Singing Room, 7.30-9.30pm

Friday 6th December  
Sing and Sign, 11am-12.15pm 

Saturday 7th December 
Walthamstow Welcomes Cafe (free help with confusing paperwork), 10am-Noon

Reflection: ‘Holy Waiting’ 
Revd Andrew Stewart writes: 

The Church Calendar, which begins with Advent, draws us into a life shaped around Jesus Christ. It is a bold declaration that every moment belongs to him. He is, of course, the Lord of time and history. As we journey through the seasons, from Advent’s hopeful waiting to Easter’s triumph, we see the life of Jesus unfold before us. 

The Church Calendar doesn’t just tell his story; it draws us into it.

Through its cycles, we immerse ourselves in that story of Jesus – we are swept up into his life, baptism, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and promised return. Through its rhythms, we are also shaped, taught, and reminded of who we are – Christ’s followers, citizens of the heavenly empire, designed to share forever in the life of the eternal God.

Advent, in particular, is a season of holy waiting, filled with expectation. It is an eager longing for this living Lord Jesus to come to us and abide with us. The Lord of time appeared in history as a child born in a manger. And he will return to bring history to its consummation.

Advent whispers to us that time is not slipping away – it is moving toward something glorious, held securely in the hands of the One who reigns over history. Its trajectory is, in fact, towards Jesus Christ himself, the hope of the ages.

In this waiting, we discover that every day matters. Our lives are invested with eternal significance; everything we do carries weight and importance. Each moment is infused with meaning because it belongs to Christ. The candles we light week by week remind us of this: light breaking into darkness, promise edging closer to fulfillment. Even as the world rushes toward Christmas with noise and busyness, Advent invites us to pause, reflect, and realign our lives with the Lord of history himself.

So, this Advent, let’s centre ourselves on Jesus, who holds all of time and history in his hands. Let’s eagerly long for his company, his presence with us. With him, there is always more than enough time; with him, a thousand years is nothing; with him, a single day can change everything; with him, time is our friend, not our enemy. And let’s join with the Church across the ages in the prayer of Advent: Come, Lord Jesus!