04/09/2026
Newsletter for Sunday 6th September 2026.
This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (transferred from Tuesday 8th September - also known as The Birth of the Blessed virgin Mary).
8am Said Eucharist - with Fr Tom Musson. A quiet reflective service.
10am Sung Festival Eucharist with guest preacher, The Revd Jo Winn-Smith (presently Chaplain to the Bishop of Guildford but soon to be Rector of Esher).
11am refreshments, served in The Parish Centre.
Who was The Blessed Virgin Mary?
The canonical Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles are the primary sources of historical information about Mary. She was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, betrothed to and then the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke first describe Mary as a virgin who was chosen by God to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit (By the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit as the Angel Gabriel had declared). After giving birth to Jesus in Bethlehem, she and her husband Joseph raised him in the city of Nazareth in Galilee. Mary is recorded in the Gospel of John as present when Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding feast in Cana, Galilee and she was in Jerusalem at his crucifixion. She is recorded with the apostles after his Ascension on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon each of them as a flame.
Why does Mary have her own feast day and celebration?
The Feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8th) is a day when Christians in both Eastern and Western traditions commemorate the birth of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. This festival dates back to the sixth century. In the Church of England we draw particular attention to Mary's great hymn of praise, the Magnificat, in which she sings God's praises. In this hymn, Mary points beyond herself to where God is at work in the world. She reminds us today of how God is just, loving, inclusive and active in the world and that we must look beyond our own needs to those of others. We are called to say 'Yes' to God's invitation to fill our lives and transform us, just as Mary did.
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ Luke 1.46–55
In the 10am Sung Festival Eucharist, St James' Church Choir will sing a very special anthem, a setting of the above biblical text, Magnificat (Dorian Service) by Tallis.
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