Weekly News
Weekly News — 1 November 2026
Warm greetings to you all,
We say it each year, but All Saints is an occasion for recognising our part in the communion of saints, all of whom started off as human beings, some very ordinary.
As the Body of Christ, we all matter. Our worldly systems contrive to prioritise one person over the other - but this is not the law of the Kingdom of God. Rather, we are called to lift up the lowly, welcome the stranger, listen for the voice of God in all we meet - be ready to encounter Christ in the ways he comes near us.
Perhaps in this season of Saints and Souls, at the close of Black History Month, and into the remembrances of November, we may think and pray for a new encounter - and be open-hearted and fearless in Christ to be an ally for the quashed and muted of voice, and for those who have much to give but have yet to be given authority or lifted high.
This applies as much to our institutional church as anywhere else in society - so the call is real and close to hand!
As our Gospel reads this Sunday, and we must hear: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’.
Until I next see you, with prayers and blessings,
Sarah
This week I am reading: God is not a white man - Chine McDonald
image: the Communion of Saints; Noah Gutierrez
As we prepare to say farewell to Mother Jenny on 13 December we are organising a farewell gift for her from the whole parish.
A card will find its way around in due course, but meanwhile if you would like to contribute to her gift you can do so here.
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.
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. Next date 4 November
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.
Remembrance Sunday
On Sunday 8 November we will mark Remembrance Sunday in our 10.30 Sung Mass. Please join the service as usual. The choir and congregation will process outside after the reading of the Gospel for the Act of Remembrance at the war memorial.
Please stay seated if that works better for you, and the liturgy will be marked simply indoors.
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 your day, and to encourage us all to explore!
This Week:
Find out in an hour more about the hidden drama and dynamism of the Gospel of Mark. The shortest of the gospels, Mark has a distinctive voice as a storyteller of challenge, discipleship and revelation.
Paula Gooder is one of our leading theologians and always engaging, whether you are newly curious or three times round the block!
Check here for free tickets in person at St Paul’s Cathedral on 3 November, or for a link to catch it later online.
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
Nursery makes its new home at St Barnabas!
We are pleased to announce that Mount Park Montessori Nursery will be operating from the Small Hall on Mondays-Fridays after half term. We are delighted to welcome them! They are familiar in the area as they have been based at the Methodist Church on Pitshanger until now. Thanks in this to John Newbegin, who has put many hours of work into helping make this happen, along with Jane Gee, Nick Barnes, Jean Norman, and our Treasurer, Richard Jones.
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
Holy Communion 8am
Sung Mass for All Saints 10:30 - in person and online. Noisy Mass and Youth Groups; CC in the service
Requiem Mass for All Souls 6pm All welcome; Faure setting and the departed remembered by name.
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
Sung Mass with Act of Remembrance, starts at 10.30 - in person and online. Noisy Mass, CC and Youth Groups
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
- Sat 21 Nov, 7pm, doors 6.30 - PITSHANGER PICTURES - Verdi, A masked ball
- Fri 27 Nov, 5.30pm - FROST FAYRE
- Sun 13 Dec, 6pm, Nine Lessons and Carols