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‘
The Vicar’s Epistle for All Saints’
Dearly Beloved Parishioners,
The Calendar moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge a load of things which are coming up. And so here followeth the Epistle of Max to the faithful in Chelsea and the diaspora*…
All Saints’ Joint Service 10:30 2nd November
This coming Sunday is our patronal festival. We will be celebrating All the Saints by bringing together our 10:00 and 11:00 services for a joint service of Holy Communion at 10:30 with our children’s choir. Afterwards there will be a chance to sharing a drink, some cake, and to chat with fellow members of the church and, indeed, to meet our….
New curate for Chelsea Old Church!
Edward McMillian, who is currently training for the priesthood at Cambridge, will be joining us in July 2026 for three years. He was given the ‘thumbs up’ by the Bishop of Kensington this week and so we thought it would be fun to parade him in front of you all (please see photograph below).**
Edward writes:
“I am so excited to be joining you to serve my title and curacy at Chelsea Old Church. To say a little about myself…
I am a third-year ordinand from the Diocese of London currently training at Ridley Hall in Cambridge. I have also just completed an undergraduate degree in theology at the University of Cambridge where I had the privilege of studying at Jesus College (Thomas Cranmer’s alma mater!).
Before training, I spent four, very happy years reading history up in Scotland, at St Andrews. Having finished my studies, I worked for a year as a “ministry intern” (pastoral assistant) at St Giles-in-the-Fields, a central-London parish. That year proved a real blessing, not only for the worship and liturgy – St Giles is another church which treasures the Prayer Book – but also for the opportunity to get a sense of what real, day-to-day parish ministry can look like.
Thank you so much to those of you whom I have already had the chance to meet, not least for having made me feel so welcome. Chelsea Old Church is clearly a very special place. I realise I am immensely privileged to have these few years to share in your life, faith and witness. Rest assured of my prayers for you over the coming months. Do please pray for me too as I finish my training. Finally, do say hello if we see each other at services before June. I am so looking forward to getting to know you all.”
Then in the evening there will be a service commemorating
All Souls’ 18:00
In the evening a service of the Commemoration of All Souls of the Faithful Departed. Come and pray for all those whom we love but see no longer as the choir sing John Rutter’s Requiem.
Remembrance 10:55 9th November
Our Act of Remembrance this year will include an interview with Brigadier Hedley Duncan, OBE.
Advent Carols 18:00 30th November
To mark the start of the liturgical year we will celebrate our Advent Carol Service.
Do join us for our collaboration with The Cross Keys Public House, just off Cheyne Walk on 1 Lawrence Street, SW3 5NB
The Cross Keys Community Week – 17th to 23rd November
in aid of Chelsea Old Church, Children’s Choral Scholarship Scheme
Monday 17th November
Coffee Morning with Chelsea Old Church parishioners at The Cross Keys
All welcome to join from 10am
Wednesday 19th November
Coffee & Confessions with the Vicar, The Reverend Max Bayliss
History of Chelsea, church stories and community gathering
All welcome to join beginning at 12pm
Thursday 20th November
The Cross Keys Charity Quiz at 7pm | teams of up to 6
Sunday 23rd November
Community Sunday Roast
Discounted roasts for The Cross Keys’ regulars & Chelsea Old Church parishioners. Please book in advance to secure your table
Yours in Christ,
Max
*Battersea, Fulham, Clapham… Belgravia?
**This will inevitably raise questions, and the answer to one of these is as follows. DO NOT FEAR, WE WILL BE KEEPING THE ANGELIC PROFESSOR. Our current curate, Jenny, will remain with us at least until the scheduled end of her curacy in July 2027. She will become our senior curate and continue her ministry here alongside her roles at KCL and in international dental health.
We are very lucky to have Jenny ministering with us as a non-stipendiary curate. Edward will be joining us on a full-time basis and live in the flat above Petyt Hall. As much as you might want to bother him in the mean-time he has to finish his training up before he comes here so do not expect to nab him between All Saints’ and his ordination in July.
The Reverend Max Bayliss
Vicar
Chelsea Old Church
CONTACTS
VICAR
The Reverend Max Bayliss
vicar@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
Sophie Wilson
office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk
020 7795 1019
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VICAR
The Reverend Max Bayliss
vicar@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk
PARISH ADMINISTRATOR
Sophie Wilson
office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk
020 7795 1019