Welcome
Welcome to the website of the parish church of St. Stephen, South Dulwich in South East London, England. St. Stephen’s is a parish church of the Church of England, and aims to be a broad and inclusive church valuing formal liturgy, challenging preaching, and fine music but aiming also to serve its community and parish. We are striving to make Christ’s presence real in our community.
Our postal address and telephone number is:
St Stephen’s Church
College Road
SE21 7HN
telephone +44 20 (or from the UK 020) 8693 3797
email: ParishOffice@ststephensdulwich.or
Thought for the week
2nd February – Candlemass – The Festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
The completion of the Christmas – Epiphany season
Candlemass is – amongst other things – a celebration of ageing well. Old age can bring wisdom and serenity. Listening to old people, if we take the trouble to do it, can be full of discovery and insight because what is being communicated is simplicity and wisdom condensed by reflection. But old age can also be frustrating. Those of us with elderly relatives are painfully aware of how difficult and sometimes cruel ageing can be as well.
The old man Simeon (age unknown) and the prophet Anna (84) had been waiting in and around the Temple for years (the story is told in Luke 2,22-40). They were waiting for God’s fulfilment. They saw it in the infant Jesus, brought to the Temple by his parents, forty days after his birth, to fulfil the Jewish law of purification. These two old people found fulfilment in the little baby who would become a light to Israel and to all the nations. Their own fulfilment was found in seeing the hope of God in child-form come into the world. They would not see the completion of this work themselves, but they were full of hope for God’s future. To live without hope must be the greatest curse of all. Candlemass, when the Church blesses the candles that shine in worship and illumine darkness, is the celebration of the light and blessings of Christ, a hope for all the world. It is on that note that we dismantle our crib today: Christ will illumine our world also!
Bernhard Schünemann
Parish PhotographsWebsite
http://picasaweb.google.com/St.Stephens.SouthDulwich
Services Sunday 29th January
8am: Holy Communion (1662 – Book of Common Prayer) sermon: the Vicar
10am: Choral Eucharist with Footsteps for children
Processional Hymn: 2 Christ, whose glory fills the skies
Gloria: Jones Glory to God
Gradual Hymn: 360 Faithful vigil ended
Offertory Hymn: 94 Hail to the Lord who comes
Setting: Palestrina Missa Aeterna Chrisi Munera (Sanctus, Benedictus & Agnus Dei)
Anthem: Mendelssohn There shall a star
Recessional Hymn: 80 When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day (omit starred verses)Voluntary: to be announced
12noon: Holy Baptism (Sophia Lilly Smith)
Services during the week:
Tuesday to Friday: 8.30am Silent Prayer followed at 8.45am by Morning Prayer
Wednesday: 9.45am Holy Eucharist
Sunday 5th February
8am :Holy Communion (1662 Book of Common Prayer) sermon: the Vicar
10am: Choral Eucharist with Footsteps for children – sermon: Rev Paul Holley
Notices
Events and special services in February:
1st February: 5pm and 8pm Confirmation classes
4th February: 10am to 5pm Dulwich Choral Society Workshop B minor Mass by JS Bach
5th February 10am our preacher will be Rev Paul Holley, who will be licensed as assistant curate here at St Stephen’s to help on an occasional and non-stipendiary basis. 11.30am depart for Rev Nick Davies’ Licensing as Vicar of St Phillip and St James Cheltenham – please note payment arrangements for coaches on the display at the back of the church
7th February: Celebrating Dickens in Southwark (more information from Martin Knight on 020 8693 8639, or martindknight@gmail.com for further information
11th February: Beetle Drive – Saturday at 7pm in the Church Hall – Jonathan Turner and the Choir are organising this event. Tickets will also be available for the congregation but numbers are limited so book early!
12th February at 10am: 12 Cellos will be accompanying our liturgy and play the Missa Brevis by Arvo Pärt. The 12 Cello workshop will finish with a final concert at 5pm.
15th February: 5pm and 8pm Confirmation classes
21st February: Shrove Tuesday Pancake party in the Church Hall22 February: Ash Wednesday Services with imposition of Ashes at 9.45am and 7.30pm
26th February: Sunday 5pm Concert of Lenten music by the Serlo Consort, artistic director Kit Perona-Wright (sometime Director of Music here at St Stephen’s). This concert will include Tavener Ikos, Tallis Lamentations, Goodhall Love Divine & Spielgel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt played on the Cello by the Vicar.
From January 2012 the Vicar’s Day Off has changed to MONDAYS. On all other days you can contact the Vicar by email (schunemann@btinternet.com) or on the phone 020 8693 3797.
Lent Courses will be held on Tuesdays (starting 28th February) from 1.30 to 3pm in the KETRA rooms on the Kingswood Estate and on Thursday evenings (starting 1st March) at the St Barnabas Centre. Details to follow next week.
