From the Treasurer

Much has happened at church, in our country and further afield since I presented my Treasurer's report to the APCM in May. A question some members have been interested in, or concerned about, to stop and ask me, perhaps as consideration is given to household finances is; what is the impact on our church family finances?  I'll be providing an answer in two weeks time on Stewardship Sunday, as we look to our finances for 2023.

We should celebrate:

• We have welcomed 9 new / replacement staff to our ministry and operations team since January; all integral to supporting and growing our activities. This means that all staff posts currently approved by PCC are filled. We need to budget accordingly in 2023.

• The scaffolding has come and gone around church, signifying that the major work and spend to make our beautiful building watertight is virtually complete.  It does mean we need to replenish our Estates Fund for the next phase of internal work.

• PCC has approved increases in our charitable (missional) giving, allowing us to provide more funding to support church families across the Diocese and to our mission partners. We would like to increase this further in 2023.

All of this is only possible due to the generosity of the church family. Our giving provides around 90% of church funding.  Each and every contribution is valued.  Let us give thanks to God for His generosity as we continue to journey together.

Julia Newton.

From the Wardens

In Hebrews 13:8, we read these very comforting words ”Jesus Christ is the same , yesterday and forever “.

This is a season of change for us all in so many different ways . We all cope with change in our own unique way - some will thrive and relish change, others simply dread it and many are somewhere in between.

We have seen change in a multitude of ways over the past few weeks. We now have a new King to pray for and support instead of a much loved and inspiring Queen, we have new staff here on our church staff team, the seasons have changed and we now have autumn to enjoy and savour and of course for many of our children and  young people they have changes classes , schools or even where they live as they continue their studies .

It is good to reflect therefore that the basics of our faith do not change, our mission to serve our community and introduce them to Jesus hasn’t changed and crucially Jesus Christ is still the same and He calls each one of us to deepen our relationship with Him .

We all join in prayer for those professing their faith at Sunday’s Confirmation Service on 25th October.

As we move through autumn with a busy church programme, we do hope you will feel able to both join in and contribute to the life of All Saints. There are innumerable ways to be involved and by doing so we encourage each other and grow as followers of the one who is steadfast and firm.

Alison, Richard & Sue.

From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

“I urge first of all that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for Kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour 1 Timothy 2:1-3”

Just over a week ago, none of us envisaged we would be on the eve of a Bank Holiday and be sharing with many parts of the world in the funeral service of our late Queen, Elizabeth II. How then can we be praying in a way that pleases God, for this is what the verse from Timothy indicates is the route to pleasing the Saviour of the world – by prayer.

For our Royal Family once more in the public gaze but never more so than tomorrow: May their inner lives be held and cherished amidst all that is so visible and public. For the new King and new Government leaders in our day: History might well have been perceived to standstill and we might gain a Bank Holiday but the energy bills and global insecurities still leave a harsh reality of world in need of good leadership from leaders. May they transmit peace and help to those who struggle.

For those in authority: Christians according to the Lord’s own promise are those who have authority – yes Royal authority from the King Himself – Jesus. All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations. Who can we be praying for? Who can we be speaking of Christ to? How can His gifts given to us be used? Unless we action we disrespect the authority Christ has given us His subjects. May indeed we pray for ourselves to be those under the authority of the King to seek His lasting Kingdom when we are so visibly surrounded by the transitory nature of the kingdoms and powers of this current age.

I trust our increasing visitors will feel welcome to our Sunday services. All will be respectfully conducted with reference to dress, in prayers, in thoughtful comment and hope for the unique days we share in. I am grateful for the All Saints family with its various teams for responding so thoughtfully to make our services accessible to visitors. We have produced a pack that will be available to share with them.

With my prayers for your own lives and homes,

Mark Brown

Vicar

In Remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The All Saints Family remember with many others and with great thanksgiving the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Her death on September 8th has come as a shock to us all but along with our sadness and prayers for her family we recall with gratitude her Christian faith and unswerving sense of duty and loyalty to her many roles on behalf of us all.

As we give thanks for her life and witness so too we offer care, support and guidance to those who will be seeking a place to reflect and pause because of all she has meant to so many. May we point them to the eternal sovereign care of the Lord  himself. This is I believe what she would wish us to do.

Our church will be open for visitors to pray and reflect in the days ahead. Our queen has died, long live the King and may King Jesus Himself be our rock and stay during these times of change

The Revd Canon Mark Brown

From the Operations Manager

The past few months have seen a number of challenging activities cross my desk, ranging from inquisitive Badgers to complex tree management to milk deliveries, all of which have enabled me to learn something new! In amongst all of this we completed the COVID delayed QI inspection of the church and are pleased to report that the considerable investment, care and attention given to the church by you its congregation has resulted in a very positive report.

As with all buildings of this age, usage and structure we will always have need for an ongoing management plan and there are some areas that will need further investment but generally we are custodians of a very well kept and maintained building and grounds.

Things you may notice over the coming weeks; some considerable activity on three trees in the churchyard suffering from ash dieback, this represents the start of a longer term tree management plan, and the removal of the water damaged plaster in the church, leaving exposed brick for a period of up to 12 months to allow the surface to properly dry out before we re-plaster.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or concerns about the Estate or anything Operations related, I would be more than happy to chat.

Stephanie Osman

From the Vicarage

Perhaps this should be from the Vicar soon to be (!). The marker of the licensing date does provide an opportunity to look back a few months and express my thanks to God and His people for the way His hand has been with us. Let me also venture to look forward and using one of the three important “S’s” mentioned at the last APCM, namely “what do you see that God wants to do in the future”.

Looking back. We thank God for the people who have prayed, flexed and advised through many staff changes, limbering up out of covid restrictions and those seeking prayerfully to try out some new ways of community outreach. The wardens and finance team have been my closest confidants along with some new emerging music making teams for Sunday worship. I am especially thrilled to see new lay people having a go at leading and preaching at our services and re engaging in leading church groups and activities. Whilst numbers are not everything I note with interest six new members of PCC three last time and three this time. It gives me hope that when there is a tap on the shoulder or a shout out from the front the Lord’s people will respond. So to….

Looking forward (!) Friendly fellowship in Christ might be one. People come to church for many reasons but they stay for only one – they make friends. All Saints has an enormous capacity in this regard and an impressive track record so let us pray it continues. Every member ministry. Each person does have a part to play – some are perhaps too confident others not confident enough and all this needs encouragement and praying with boldness and sensitivity into so that each person in Christ discovers their calling and vocation. What is often missed and poorly articulated is the sense that using our gifts is not so much about our volunteering or doing jobs or even helping out but simply that allowing our gifts to be used. Churches work well when gifts are used and shared. Their members find in doing this renewal and spiritual vitality. We are members one of another so our gifts will be better used when other peoples are. I am praying that there will be a cascade of gifts and their respected us in our midst in the months and years ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers and the privileged in Christ of being your Vicar !

Yours in Christ,

Mark Brown

From the Staff Team - ASE

As a staff team, we want to say a big thank you to Rosie for her incredible work to make holiday club such a great success. Her dedication, leadership, enthusiasm and love for the children is an inspiration and example to us all. We are grateful for all her work in the days, weeks, and months before holiday club in preparation for the week. We are thankful too for her continued work with the children of our church, and those in our partner schools, even as the effects of the pandemic continue to have an impact.

Rosie’s perseverance and commitment is a reflection of the Lord’s loving faithfulness that is an ever present reality in our lives as the people of God. It was wonderful to have holiday club in person for the first time since before the pandemic, and a joy to see so many from the church family serving Christ and the children of this community, using their varied gifts and skills to work together.

As we rejoice in the blessings of holiday club, and many children and families returning for the 11am service last Sunday, let us all join together in praying that the seeds of the gospel sown during the week will lead to new life for many, that the Lord may bring many families to know him in the coming days.

Yours in His service together,

The Staff Team

From the Curate

Rosie and the amazing team of helpers have just finished a truly fantastic holiday club. 83 children had great fun discovering more of the wonder of God’s world and the wonder of his love. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make the week a great success, and for everyone’s prayers. A special welcome today to all the children from holiday club who have come along with their families to the 11am service – it is great to see you!

Every Sunday, there are new faces and people to meet at church, and the Heritage Open Days on Saturday 10th September and Monday 12th September provides another occasion for All Saints to open its doors to the wider community, and our network of relationships. It is an opportunity to showcase the church’s remarkable history, architecture, grounds, and specially commissioned embroidery. Thank you to all those who are giving of their time and expertise to make these Heritage Open Days possible. Let’s all consider who we would like to invite, and for more information see the full schedule in the notices.

With thanks

Simon Oatridge