From the Wardens

December will soon be with us along with anticipation of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we move into Advent, there are some wonderful services to look forward to. This comes at a time when we have been blessed with an influx of new and enthusiastic clergy who are now adding their support to our vicar, Mark and our children’s minister, Rosie.

Following the success of Stewardship Sunday, we also have additional volunteers, including extra welcomers for the Sunday Service Teams. The churchyard team has gained some extra recruits, as well as hospitality, and in the church office. However, we really need additional help with the sound desk and visuals.

Church attendances are definitely increasing, and it was great to see a congregation of over 350 at the 10:45am Remembrance Service earlier this month. The Christmas services will also be busier, but we encourage the Church Family to invite friends, neighbours and family to come along and be part of our Christian celebrations.

 Alison, Richard and Sue.

From the Safeguarding Officer

Protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of the Christian message of justice and hope.

Safeguarding vulnerable people is a fundamental aspect of our Christian faith. God calls us to protect the weak (James 1:27), speak up for those whose voices are not heard (Proverbs 31:8), follow Jesus’ example of servant leadership (Luke 22:26), and pursue God’s heart for justice for all (Micah 6:8). We are invited to join God’s mission to bring healing to the broken hearted, restore justice, and offer freedom and light where there is pain and darkness.

Churches across the land should therefore be places where we can worship, learn, and be together free from the fear of harm. Sadly, this has not always been the case. However, thanks to the hard work and courage of many Christians across denominations, things are changing for the better. 

Sunday 20th November is ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ a time for us as church family to reflect upon our collective responsibilities to ensure that All Saints is a safe, welcoming community where everyone can thrive.

So, what does safeguarding mean for us at All Saints? Importantly, we need to ensure that our children, young people and adults who could be considered vulnerable are protected from harm. To this end, all volunteers who serve these groups, PCC members and our staff team have undertaken safeguarding training. Our ministry team, wardens and myself, as Parish Safeguarding Officer, have completed advanced leadership training in safeguarding. We undertake rigorous recruitment of both staff and volunteers, including DBS checks, before they can work with children and vulnerable adults. We also have safeguarding policies providing guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults, and responding well to people who have been victims of domestic abuse – copies of which are on the Safeguarding Notice Board in the Welcome area.

However, it is not just our ministry team, volunteers and staff who carry the responsibility for safeguarding – as a church family, we all have safeguarding responsibilities. This means looking out for each other and seeking to protect those at risk. It also means raising any safeguarding concerns, no matter how small and insignificant they may seem, with myself as Safeguarding Officer or one of the ministry team so that we can take appropriate steps to ensure the wellbeing of those at risk. 

As mentioned above, God calls us as His people to protect the weak, speak up for those whose voices are not heard and pursue His heart for justice.  As we mark Safeguarding Sunday, let us all recommit to serving Him and our church family in this way.

If you would like to speak further about safeguarding, do please make contact with me after a Sunday service, via email or through the church office.

Kate Gerrish

Parish Safeguarding Officer

kate.gerrish@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk

From the Curate

“We will remember them.”

On Sunday, we honour the memory of all the service men and women who have lost their life in war, and remember the ultimate sacrifice they have made. As a parish, we remember the 32 commonwealth war graves that lie within our churchyard. For many amongst us, there will be the painful and personal remembrance of loved ones we have lost because of war. This year, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, we lament the continuing violence in our world, even as we pray for peace.

In a world of wars, and rumours of wars, Christians are called to ‘remember Jesus Christ’ (2 Timothy 2.8), the one who made the ultimate sacrifice of laying down his life for us, that we might enjoy peace with God. As we remember with gratitude those who have given their life for us, let us also remember God’s love for a broken and war-torn world. Let us pray that the Prince of Peace will bring peace to our lives, and world. And let us look forward to the day when Christ returns, and all conflict, war, sorrow, and pain will pass away.

Simon Oatridge

From the Youth Minister

Please consider helping

It is a new and exciting time for the youth ministry at All Saints. Abide, the Sunday evening youth group, has a fun, relaxed and God focused atmosphere. However, we need some more help. The parent volunteers give generously out of their busy lives and are wonderful assets to the team but the team must grow in order to be sustainable. Please prayerfully consider whether this would be an area of church life you would like to get involved with and join the pleasure of journeying with the youth in our church family.

We are also imminently starting some encounter groups, youth discipleship growth groups. If you love Jesus and have time and desire to support our young people on their personal journey of faith then this could be something you could support. This would involve becoming a part of one of these encounter groups every fortnight with the youth minister and committing to pray for the young people in the group between the meetings. 

If you are interested or you have any questions please get in touch! 

Cameron Catto