From the Treasurer

I am pleased to let the church family know that formal approval of the statutory accounts for 2024 should take place when PCC meets on 12th May. Our auditors will be providing a “true and fair” opinion on them, which is always welcome news.  A big thank you to everyone, particularly the finance team, who support our financial governance and processes.

I look forward to providing a summary of our finances in my Treasurer's presentation at the APCM on 21st May. Mark encouraged us all to find new ways to seek spiritual renewal during our Lenten journey this year. New for me was God speaking through the different art work, particularly Caravaggio’s “the supper at Emmaus”. There won’t be any art work in my presentation, just some colourful spreadsheets and slides! I will be reflecting on how our finances are an integral part of our journey at All Saints and how our verse for 2025 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) encourages us to look ahead as well as back financially. 

All Saints continues to be generously blessed financially. Thank you to everyone who contributes to our church funds both through regular giving and one-off gifts. 

Julia Newton

From the Children's Minister

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

As you look back at Holy Week 2025, I wonder what you will remember and what your highlights were. There were many for me, from looking out on Palm Sunday and seeing a couple of hundred people waving palm leaves as an act of worship to Christ our King, through to the children racing around church on Easter Sunday, looking for eggs containing promises of Jesus. None of our Holy Week services or events would have happened without the many volunteers who gave their time, energy and service to make it happen and so I’d like to echo Mark in giving thanks for everyone who helps in the mission and ministry of Christ at All Saints, not only during Holy Week but all year round.

One of my highlights was seeing current or former Toddler families at all three of our all-age services; Seeing the connections we made and relationships we build every week making a difference. If you don’t already volunteer somewhere at All Saints, I would strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider it, as it is truly a blessing when you see God using something you have been part of to bring people closer to Him. Watching rose petals descend from the balcony as we sang ‘Above all Powers’ on Good Friday was a moving moment for many of us but knowing there were people there who were experiencing that moment because of the mission and ministry of our church family made it even more special for me.

As you reflect on your Holy Week highlights, I pray that you would feel closer to our risen Lord and know afresh how loved you are.

Rosie Blackett, Children’s Minister

From the Vicar

Dear Friends

Celebrating Christ’s Risen Life

Happy Easter everyone! One of the great signs of Easter life is the vibrant, visible and active faith of church members. So may I take this opportunity to celebrate many unsung heroes of God’s church who give of their time, energy, love and commitment to serve our All Saints family in its ministry and mission. This duty and joy is of course inspired by an active faith in our risen Saviour. At Easter particular thanks are due to those who donate and arrange flowers helping to make our church such a beautiful place of worship. Wardens, those who welcome, PCC members, administration and finance teams, those who visit homes and care homes, those who run mid-week and Sunday groups. Those who pray publicly and privately. Those who write and read emails (!). The list could of course go on.

“Know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” Paul says at the end of that great chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians. This labour in the Lord is not in vain because it is inspired by the reality and fact of Christ’s risen life. The evidence for the resurrection of Christ is many and varied but one of its greatest witnesses is the faith of the church’s members which inspires love and devotion to Christ and his church. We are grateful for all that is done and not least on this Easter day for the pointer it gives that faith and trust in Christ is real and alive through her members. Happy Easter.

Thanks be to God for raising Christ to live for evermore, the faith and trust of those who believe this and show it by their commitment to serve and share.

Mark

PS We celebrate this in public forum at our Annual Meeting and seek God’s direction for our future together May 21st, 7:30pm.

From the Music Minister

Easter is a wonderful season for music. As we approach Holy Week, we can be grateful that the church over history has produced such a rich repertoire of music and hymnody that captures both the theology and the impact of the Passion of Christ. It is my privilege at All Saints to oversee the provision of such music each week, and the three days of Easter are certainly the highlight of my musical year. Good Friday and Easter Sunday will see the addition of instrumentalists to the usual lineup of worship musicians, and on Easter Saturday we will celebrate some of the musical talent within the church family with an evening of Bach’s music, with an Easter reflection. Would you come?

I hope that our music over the Easter season will aid you in your own spiritual journey. We would love that you pray for our worship and music at All Saints, and especially during Holy Week; that it will bring glory to God, and be a help in drawing us closer to Him.

George Parsons.

From the Youth Minister

We are in an exciting season of Youth Ministry at All Saints as we approach the countdown to House Party 2025! Many young people signed up and will be going again to Carlton Lodge in Thirsk during the Easter Holidays. Please pray that the young people will have fun and grow in their faith. Please also pray for the leaders going that we would be filled with excitement and expectation for what God is going to do. At all services we will be praying them off – there will be names to take away to pray for at the 9:15, 11 and 6 services this Sunday. We will celebrate stories and see some photos next week at 6pm on Sunday 13th April.

Cam Catto