Dear St Mary’s, 

On 1st June – the Sunday After Ascension Day – we’ll share Holy Communion at 9am and again at 10.30am with Revd Vanessa Conant leading and presiding and Revd Ola Franklin preaching. There will be supervised children’s groups in the Welcome Centre at our 10.30am service, with a Baby Lounge in the South Vestry at both 9am and 10.30am. For those unable to join us in person, we’ll livestream our 9am to Facebook. 

At both of this Sunday’s services, we will interview Tom Greenhill, who will talk about his efforts to find low-cost, low carbon ways to cool buildings down – a growing challenge as the planet warms, and one that is especially acute for people on lower incomes. 

This Sunday’s lectionary readings are Acts 16:16-34 – the story of Paul and Silas in prison – and John 17:20-end, which is Jesus’ prayer for all believers. 

And then on Sunday evening at 6.30pm, join us for ‘Embers’ – an hour of sung worship led by musicians from St Mary’s. We hope to see you this Sunday at St Mary’s! 

Vestry Sessions Returns Tonight with Jazz Trio Playing Lerner & Loewe 
A jazz trio will play some of the biggest hits from Jay Lerner and Frederich Loewe – the musical duo behind ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Brigadoon’ – this evening (Thursday 29th May) with doors at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Vestry Sessions are one-hour shows with an intermission and card-only bar. For tickets click here, or visit wegottickets.com (search ‘Vestry Sessions’). 

Blood Donation Returns to St Mary’s on 2nd June
We’re pleased that there will be another opportunity to give blood at St Mary’s, this time on Monday 2nd June. For those who would like to give blood on the day, our partners tell us that the best way to do this is to book in advance via the Give Blood app or via www.blood.co.uk. If there is a slot available at St Mary’s, that will be noted when you book. Please note the booking process is not managed by us but by the NHS. Our Ruttle & Rowe cafe will remain open, with indoor seating moved to the Exhibition Space. 

Vespers on Wednesday 4th June 
Join us on Wednesday 4th June at 7.30pm for our monthly Vespers gathering, with Holy Communion celebrated afterwards in the side chapel. Vespers is held on the first Wednesday of every month – a beautiful candlelit space in our ancient building 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. 

Free ‘Vestry Junior’ Children’s Music Event on Saturday 7th June 
Our Vestry Sessions music partners are running a free children’s music event on Saturday 7th June in St Mary’s, with our Ruttle & Rowe cafe open as normal. Ideal for younger children, there will be two performances of the same 15-20 minute show, which will be a children’s version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’: one at 11am and a second performance at 12pm. While the event is free, donations for the performers will be gratefully accepted.

‘Gentle Craftivism’ Event on Saturday 7th June
Our Eco Church team will host award-winning activist and maker Sarah Corbett in the St Mary’s Welcome Centre on Saturday 7th June. Sarah will give a free talk (recommended £3 donation) from 10am-11am about her ‘Gentle Protest’ methodology which combines neuroscience, positive psychology, campaign strategy and beautiful handicrafts. After her talk, Sarah will lead a two-hour ticketed workshop (£20 per person) from 11.30am-1.30pm, now held in the church Exhibition Space, inviting participants to practice gentle craftivism under her supervision. To book tickets, click here or visit stmaryswalthamstow.org/Craftivism. 

Save the Date for St Mary’s Summer Event on Saturday 12th July 
On Saturday 12th July, we will be hosting a summer event at St Mary’s for the whole community and we would love to have you join us, and even volunteer to help! We are still developing our programme, but if you are interested in assisting on the day or helping to plan the event, please email Louise Wallis at . 

EcoTip: Join a Mass Environmental Lobby of Parliament on 9th July
The Climate Coalition is coordinating a mass environmental lobby of Parliament called ‘Act Now, Change Forever’, with the aim of getting thousands of people to gather in Westminster on 9th July to meet their MPs and demand stronger action on climate and nature. Register here or visit theclimatecoalition.org to sign up. A massive 125-country study released last month showed that 89% of people want stronger government-led action on climate, however, survey respondents also incorrectly thought their pro-climate views were a minority opinion. 

Please pray this week for:

• The people of Gaza who are in urgent need of food/aid and for an end to the violence 
• Those injured in Liverpool last weekend when a man drove his car into a crowd 
• The negative impacts of AI – for government regulation of this powerful tool 
• The work of Tom Greenhill and for all working to mitigate impacts of global heating 
• Children, young people, teachers, school staff, parents/carers as a new term begins
• The most vulnerable in our community and country: for impactful policy changes 
• Pope Leo and for all faith leaders, including our bishops Guli and Lynne 
• The ministry of St Mary’s and the wider Parish of Walthamstow – that this Pentecost we might reach more people with the love and hope of Christ 
• A shift in global politics, from violence and cruelty to compassion and collaboration 
• All who are unwell in body, mind and spirit – for healing and hope
• Global peacemakers working to foster understanding and bring people together 
• Anyone who is lonely or lacking connection in our community: for friendship 

Reflection: ‘You Are Not Forgotten’ 
Revd Andrew Stewart, vicar of St Gabriel’s, writes: 

Perhaps many of us will have experienced the ache of being left behind. A friend rises in the world – a new job, a new city, a new circle of influence – and we rejoice for them. But quietly, a question lingers: Will they still remember us? Will they still keep in contact?

We might ask, on this Feast of the Ascension, a similar question: Now that Jesus of Nazareth is risen, exalted, enthroned in glory – does he still remember us? Now that he dwells in unimaginable majesty, does he still know what it’s like to be us? To be tired? Tempted? Afraid? Does he still care? Or has he forgotten and moved on?

This anxiety troubled many before us. In the 17th century, the English theologian Thomas Goodwin wrote to assure believers that Jesus’ heart is not changed by his ascension. In fact, Goodwin argued, Christ’s compassion has only grown deeper, his sympathy sharpened, now that he sees all of our need, all of our pain, with divine clarity and love.

Scripture tells us the same.

In the Old Testament, the High Priest of Israel wore a breastpiece adorned with twelve precious stones – each inscribed with the name of a tribe of Israel (Exodus 28:29). When the priest entered the Holy Place to meet the Lord God, he literally carried the names of the people over his heart. It was a sign to the watching community: you are not forgotten.

In fact, they were being symbolically carried into God’s presence. The priest’s access was their access. His entry was theirs.

Jesus, our Great High Priest, has ascended into the heavenly sanctuary. And he has not left his people behind. Having bound himself to us in his incarnation, he now carries us into the presence of the Father at the highest level of reality.

When the ascended Jesus stops Saul on the Damascus road in Acts 9, he doesn’t ask, ‘Why are you persecuting my people?’ He asks, ‘Why are you persecuting me?’

To hurt the Church is to strike at Christ himself. To serve the Church is to honour Christ (Matthew 25:40, 45). He is the vine and we are the branches; he is the Head and we are the Body. He does not – cannot – detach himself from us. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Ascension is not Christ leaving us behind. It is Christ bringing us with him, carrying us upward in love, bearing our names where it matters most.

This means we do have a friend in high places – one who has not forgotten us. He has not moved on. He remembers us. He holds us close.

Jesus Christ – the same yesterday, today, and forever – is no stranger to your struggle, your sorrow, or your story. The risen and ascended Lord, sovereign over all creation, remembers you, treasures you, and carries you close to his heart.