“… there was always a November space after the leaves have fallen when … it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods … for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not yet come upon them.”
Anne of Windy Poplars ― L.M. Montgomery.

Photograph by Jonathan Neale Photography
http://www.jnimages.co.uk/

Saturday 1st November, from 10am until 1.30pm, sees our Coffee Morning and stalls in St Stephen’s Church on the High Street, Exeter. Cakes wanted on the day. Please support this fund-raising and outreach event. Visit the recently restored St Stephen’s, browse and buy, or simply relax and enjoy the refreshments.

Sunday 2nd November, the Calendar this year means we mark All Saints at 10.45am and All Souls at 6pm, with beautiful music at both services.

The weight of music to practise means the Mass setting written when Alex West was Organ Scholar at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, is held over to next quarter. The Motet is still Bainton’s ravishing “And I saw a new heaven” and a Plainsong Sequence will be sung.

In place of “First Sunday Evensong” at 6pm, we will sing Requiem Mass for All Souls using the music of Gabriel Fauré, plus Justorum Animae by Byrd and the Russian Kontakion.

Remembrance Sunday, 9th November, will be marked with special music and sermon during our 10.45am Mass, and the Act of Remembrance at 11am. The Anglican Folk Mass was composed by Martin Shaw at St Mary’s Primrose Hill, London, in 1917. The music of our motet “For the Fallen” was written a couple of years ago by choir member, Graham Keitch.

Tuesday 11th November at 6pm, in place of Vespers, CBS Mass in commemoration of St Martin, Bishop of Tours (397), NOT the Patron Saint of Travel Agents, but as he was born in Hungary, spent much of his childhood in Italy, and lived most of his adult life in France, he is considered a spiritual bridge across Europe. This Roman soldier cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar and eventually renounced the military life to become a Bishop.

Wednesday 12th November at 7.30pm. Recitals @ St Michael’s. The Exeter Singers, directed by Tony Yates, present a varied programme of a cappella music, from Madrigals to Modern! Tickets on the door: £5 (£3 concessions).

Please Note, Wednesday 19th Nov at 7.30pm, the St Michael’s Remembrance Lecture (previously scheduled for 3rd/30th Nov) is given by Suzanne Steele (Official Canadian War Poet; Department of English, University of Exeter) – Bearing Witness to those who Bear Witness.

In St David’s Church at 2pm on Saturday 22nd November there is a Memorial Service for John Hughes. A service of words and music, remembering a dearly-loved former curate of this parish. It is an opportunity for John’s many friends from the congregations at St David’s & St Michael’s, and around the city and Diocese of Exeter to give thanks for John, priest, pastor, scholar and friend, and remember him with love and gratitude.

Stir-up Sunday, 23rd November, the last Sunday before Advent is also a celebration of Christ the King, Jesus as the just ruler over all the Universe. The Anthem by Sir John Stainer is “I saw the Lord, high and lifted up, and his train filled the Temple.”

Advent Sunday, 30th November, at 10.45am Mass, we sing The Litany published by Thomas Cranmer in 1544, the earliest officially authorized vernacular service in English. The 1st candle of the Advent wreath is lit.

So as not to clash with the Cathedral one on Advent Sunday, our own beautiful Advent Procession at St Michael’s is on Sunday 7th December at 6pm. Prayers, Readings, Hymns and Carols illuminate the 7 “Great O” Antiphons, which comprise the Advent Hymn “O come, O come Emmanuel”, and culminate in a choral setting of the Magnificat.

Richard Barnes.