Weekly News
Weekly News — 25 October 2026
Warm greetings to you all,
“from the fig tree learn its lesson” - Matthew 24:33
This Sunday we mark Bible Sunday: this phrase appears in our gospel reading - what a remarkable sign of tender life and growing of leaves. Our image above helps us connect with those places of warmth and growth. Come and ponder what the bible can unfold in our everyday lives…
Connected to this, our worshipping community has been blessed by tender leaves and we have learned the lessons from the fig tree over the past 5 years, in the presence of Mother Jenny amongst us. The care and nurture of our “youngest leaves”, in Noisy Mass, and those who tenderly care for them, has largely been in Jenny’s vocational space. Those who know Jenny and Paul will know that they travelled in from outside London and that recently they have moved house, taking them further away again. It is with an aching heart that Mother Jenny has discerned the time has come to leave us, and take up ministry in her local community.
I know this will come as a personal sadness for those in Noisy Mass (and beyond) - I wish to assure you of a few things:
Jenny will have a fulsome send off and her last Sunday will be 13 Dec - time to celebrate and say thanks.
We are committed to Noisy Mass and are starting now in advertising for a new member of our team - watch this space.
We intend to be able to do this in time for the return in January, so Noisy Mass is uninterrupted.
Do of course talk to me, or Jenny, or the ministry team, especially if you are concerned in anyway, or this news feels a worrying development. Jenny will write to families tomorrow in your newsletter.
Otherwise, REMEMBER, the clocks go back on Sunday, so you have an extra hour in bed before Church!
Until I next see you, with prayers and blessings,
Sarah
This week I am reading: The Good News According to Luke - Richard Rohr
St John the Baptist, Holland Road
Sung Mass - last Sunday
The choir and a number of us had a wonderful experience at the joint choirs Mass. The choir were hugely praised, and sounded fabulous. The welcome was very warm and the intention to do it again, enthusiastic!
Our Pets Service on Saturday was very well received, with a quiet and committed attendance of humans and dogs. It was a pleasure to welcome some who had never been to St Barnabas before.
Thanks to the posters team - these have a real impact - the walking and postering is well worthwhile!
All Souls’ 2026 - Sun 1 Nov, 6pm
All Souls’ Day is a time for commemoration of the faithful departed. As in previous years, we will be reading the names of your loved ones during the evening service.
This will be on Sunday 1st November at 6pm, when we will be singing the Faure Requiem. The list of names will close on Monday 26th October.
If you would like names of any loved ones to be added or removed from the list, please mark on the displayed sheet(s) alphabetically, or email felicity@hughmather.uk.
Thank you
Would you - or someone you know - value a safe supportive space to navigate loss and grief?
Feel very welcome to chat to Mthr Jeanny to find out more beforehand.
Monthly on Wednesdays: 2-3pm.
We can of course feel a bit anxious or uncertain about these things - that’s very understandable - come and give it a try and be sure of a warm and supportive welcome. Light refreshments available.
It is effortless to donate money to St Barnabas! In fact, it is free!
By a quick download of the right gadget, each time you shop online most large retailers will send money our way.
A free advert for Uniqlo here, and a snapshot of Mthr Sarah’s online shopping…
Some of you will be doing this for schools, groups, and clubs. If so - ok! But if you’re not elsewhere, then please sign up. Sarah has raised £120 in the last 18 months ;)
All Hallows Eve Concert: Spirits and Solace
MUSIC FUNDRAISER!
Saturday 31st October 2pm in Church
Concert to raise funds for St Barnabas Music.
Free admission (retiring collection)
Tea and cake afterwards. Please do come along to support our musicians.
Hot news in from the Quiz Supper!
The total profit raised from the evening for church funds was £2027.
This is a wonderful sum of money, and made possible only by the time and skills of our teams running the event. Thank you to Anna as quizsetter, to Janet, Sue, Mindy and all the catering team, and to Nick for set-up.
And thanks to all who came - and spread the word. We look forward to 2027!
Delving deeper
This new corner of the newsletter is carved out for ideas to help you delve deeper in faith, feel God’s presence in you day, and to encourage us all to explore!
This Week:
While scrolling Instagram, have you found monkmindsets?
Short encouragements to step out of our habits and into the habits of the monk… see what I did?
Highly recommended for your feed.
@monkmindsets
Giving to St Barnabas - it costs £600 a day…
What does St Barnabas give you, that nothing else can?
WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL HELP.
Being part of something is a fabulous thing. Belonging includes helping in practical ways
- just like any valued relationship.
It takes 5 minutes to set up regular giving - and the benefit is limitless to this community.
our easy way to give can be found HERE
Thank you!
It costs over £600 a day to keep St Barnabas going - what can you do to help?
Notices
Advent Carol Service - St Pauls Cathedral - Sat 28 Nov, 5pm
In previous years, St Paul’s has been able to welcome hundreds of congregation from across our Diocese and it has been wonderful to see the Cathedral so full and to welcome so many parishes.
St Paul’s hopes you will be able to join this year for this moving and uplifting service in which the Cathedral Choir moves throughout the building singing music which reflects the Advent themes of light and hope, together with readings from scripture and literature, and some of the best-loved of the Advent hymns.
To apply for tickets and register young people for the procession, please fill out the form linked here Advent Service - Guest Spreadsheet with the names, email addresses, access needs and number of tickets required for each individual or family group and then return it by email to events@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
(To edit the document please go to File, Export, Export at CSV and the spreadsheet will download to your computer. You may add as many lines as you need.)
If a group from St Barnabas wishes to go together that is fabulous!
Donations for Food Pantry
Please consider donating items from the list in church. Donations may be left after church on Sundays or during Food Pantry hours on Wednesdays. If you would like to give a monetary donation specifically to the food pantry, please mark your green envelope ‘Food Pantry’, or use this link.
Small amounts of fresh produce can be accepted ONLY when the Pantry is open on Wednesdays.
Worship and Activities this Week
Sunday
CLOCKS GO BACK! Sung Mass 10:30 - in person and online. Noisy Mass, CC and Youth Groups
Monday
Morning Prayer at 9:30 on Zoom.
Tuesday
Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel.
Wednesday
Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel.
Midweek Mass at 12.30 in the Lady Chapel
Food Pantry is open from 1-3pm.
Thursday
Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel.
Memory Cafe open 10.30-12
Sunday
Said Mass: 8am - Lady Chapel
Sung Mass at 10.30 - in person and online. Noisy Mass, CC and Youth Groups
Sung Requiem Mass for All Souls at 6pm with full choir and organ and the names of those departed to be read
Forward Look - coming dates
DiD you Know?
All our events are now listed on our website - Whats On - Full Calendar of Events
This includes concerts and events held here by community organisations and ensembles
- Sat 31 Oct: SPIRITS AND SOLACE: 2pm fundraising concert in church
- Sun 1 Nov: 6pm, All Souls’ Service
- Sun 13 Dec, 6pm, Nine Lessons and Carols