From the Treasurer

The last of the “from the….” slots for 2024 was given to the Treasurer to coincide with financial year end. I shall be spending quite a bit of January and February preparing the annual accounts and trustees’ report for 2024. Will they reflect that as a church family we put into practice our verse for the year: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6-7)? They will certainly reflect the financial generosity of the church family.  Thank you again to all who were able to respond positively to the stewardship appeal. I also believe expenditure will reflect our many activities as we have sought to share the good news of Jesus and to care for those in our local community and beyond. Details will come at the APCM.

January is always an exceptionally busy month for the finance team as we not only “close down” the old year but open up lots of new spreadsheets and start to populate the financial ledger for a new year.  January 2025 will also be a time of change as we welcome Beverley McComb and say farewell to Rachel Dixon after 3-years of great service as Finance Officer.  Please join me in praying for the whole finance team at this time, as well as for God to continue to bless the activities and finances of All Saints Ecclesall.

With all good wishes to everyone for 2025,

Julia Newton

From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the staff team may I express our thanks for your good will gestures and support over the Advent season. We have sensed your prayers for us and the many volunteers who have shared their skills and gifts with us. We pray that our Church family might continue to be welcoming, adventurous and caring as we celebrate the birth of the one who came not to be served but to serve. This time of year sees occasions of great celebration, rest and anticipation for what 2025 will hold. May our unity together increasingly hold out the gospel of God’s love to a world often divided by tensions in homes, neighbourhoods and countries.

I shall be presiding and preaching at Holy Communion on Wednesday 1st Jan 2025 at 10:30 if you want to commit the shortly to be here New Year to the Lord.

Emmanuel God is with us.

Mark

From the Wardens

December is an especially busy but enjoyable time for the churchwardens with all the special services, interspersed with lighted candles and fire risk assessments, along with all the other general wardens tasks.

The month has started with some wonderful events such as Women’s Wreath Making, and The Christmas Experience. In addition, I am pleased to report that following the work of a small team of volunteers and clergy, All Saints has achieved a Bronze Eco Church Award. In addition, of the five required categories we were silver in two, and so the next stage will be to achieve Silver in the other three areas. There are numerous ways we can do this, and it doesn’t mean just by turning the heating off, but often simple things such as ensuring lights are switched off when no longer needed, using Fair Trade products, closing doors to keep heat in, and supporting local food banks. More about the Silver Award and how to become involved will be announced in the new year.

‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’. Genesis 2:15

Richard on behalf of Rob, Lynne and Alan (The Wardens)

From the Staff Team

We appreciate greatly the support for our new ventures this year and are truly humbled by how many people have responded to help with the Christmas Experience. Our new service at 3pm this Sunday afternoon ‘Christmas can be Difficult’ will need prayer and sensitivity. You are welcome to come and to invite others for whom this might be helpful.

Today we provide for you opportunities to join in Carol singing in various places around our local community. These have been asked for by them for us to serve them. Please get the leaflet and let us know if you want to join us.

And finally - thank you to the behind the scenes team for enabling an upgraded audio visual system. Thank you for your patience as we future-proof All Saints for the next few years! Carpets and decoration/repairs are next!

Advent greetings,

Mark Brown, of behalf of the Staff Team