In February we consider the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount from St Matthew’s Gospel, before Lent starts on 1st March, St David’s Day.

For the -gesima Sundays, 12th, 19th, 26th Feb, the choir sings all 3 of William Byrd’s Masses, composed c.1592-4, while in his 50s and a Roman Catholic, tolerated by Queen Elizabeth I. Byrd for 4 voices is probably best known, Byrd 3 more sparse & austere, and Byrd 5 the most complex & developed. We contrast these with more modern Motets; Philip Stopford’s 21st century take on “If ye love me”, Edward Elgar’s 1902 setting of “Ave verum corpus”, and “O Lord thou art my God” by 19th century Exeter composer Kellow Pye.

From Thurs 2 – Sun 5 February, Bishop Sarah is visiting our citywide Deanery as part of the Diocese’s “Bishops in Mission” initiative. Look out for events, and pray. We hope she will take part in St David’s School Assembly in St Mike’s and the 10.30am Thursday Eucharist at St David’s.

Thurs 2 February at 7.30pm, 40 days after Christmas, the Nativity narrative concludes with the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Candlemas. Mass in C by John Ireland, and the “Nunc Dimittis” by Gustav Holst. Fr Christopher Durrant, with guest preacher Revd Matt Rowland, curate at St Leonard’s.

Sun 5 Feb, Epiphany V, 10.45am. Mass in F – Rheinberger. Motet: Our conversation is in Heaven – Gilbert. Fr Christopher.
Sun 5 Feb at 6pm, marking the Eve of 65th Anniversary of the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II. Choral Evensong & Benediction. Responses: Clucas. Psalms 1,3,4. Canticles: Purcell in G minor. Anthem: We wait for Thy loving kindness – McKie. Hymns 252, 269, 268. Fr C.

Wed 8 Feb at 1.30pm – Funeral Service for Joy Mitchell, taken by Fr David Hastings. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Also the 10am Low Mass will be a Requiem said by Fr David.

Sun 12 Feb, Septuagesima, Epiphany VI. 10.45am. Mass for 4 voices – Byrd. If ye love me – Stopford. Fr C.

Sun 19 Feb, Sexagesima, Epiphany VII. 10.45am. Byrd 3. Ave verum corpus – Elgar. Archdeacon Christopher Futcher.

Wed 22 Feb at 7.30pm – St Michael’s Lecture. Penelope Cowell-Doe will reflect on the Report of the Bishops’ Reflection Group on Sexuality to General Synod. All welcome. Free with voluntary donations.

Thurs 23 Feb at 12noon – Lunch Club at Exeter College’s @34 Restaurant; sign up lists in both our churches.
Thurs 23 Feb at 6pm. CBS Plainsong Mass. St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr (c.155)

Sun 26 Feb, Quinquagesima, Transfiguration Sunday. 10.45am. Byrd 5. O Lord Thou art my God – Pye. Preacher Bill Pattinson.

Shrove Tuesday, 28 Feb at 8.20pm. Pancakes after Choir Practice.

Wed 1 March, Ash Wednesday. Services Morning & Evening.
9.30am Matins, 10am Said Low Mass with Ashes. Fr C.
7.30pm Solemn Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes. Mass in the Dorian Mode – Tallis; Remember not Lord our offences – Purcell. Preacher Ven David Gunn-Johnson.
Sun 5 Mar, Lent I. 10.45am Sung Mass. Cranmer’s Litany of 1544 in Procession. Fr C.
Sun 5 Mar at 6pm, Choral Evensong & Benediction.

Then, if you want to discover St Augustine, the man behind the myths, please diary our Lent Reading Group at St Michael’s, Wednesday evenings in Lent (8,15,22,29 March, 5 April) at 7.00 – 8.15pm.

Finally, a topic guaranteed to make me unpopular. At Christmas we sang “What shall I give him, poor as I am?” Financial giving to St Michael’s is still inadequate to cover our basic costs (heating, insurance, music, etc., not to mention the Common Fund to the Diocese to pay for Clergy). Please consider again where your Church ranks amongst the things you spend your money on. Our “Giving” page has more details and a link to St Michael’s anonymous online donation page. Many thanks.
Richard Barnes.