From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

Our verse for the year “Behold I set before you an open door…..” Revelation 3:8

A whole new year stretches before us. Perhaps this is a classic cup half-full approach to life, but there is something surely timely about the turning of a New Year to reflect upon some new things that God would wish to do in our midst. I am personally grateful to have had a chance to share a Christmas with you, and with those on the team who will hopefully have enjoyed their first of many.

We will be hoping to establish some united plans to mobilise us all to walk through the open doors of God’s choosing, and there is surely much to build upon. Seventy members volunteered their time and talents in November, our monthly evening youth service is now a real highlight and fixture, a visitation to local shops and outlets is something to build upon and increase our emerging community links, and I with others are full of trust and hope for our Alpha courses. You too will sense and hear the Spirit’s voice for us all – do let us know if there is an opening that the Lord is creating for us? We cannot give permission for everything but there is one voice amongst many we would wish to hear and unite around – that is the Lord’s voice himself – see I set before you an open door!

Allie joins me in wish you God’s blessing strength and grace for the New Year.

The Revd Canon Mark Brown

From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

“Lo within the manger lies he who made the starry skies”

Happy Christmas and happy carol singing on Christmas day and its surrounding days of celebration. We should rejoice that carols are sung in churches, in the open air and in local pubs! Worth too singing them in our hearts. Whilst we might not think of ourselves as theologians, carols contain some of the loftiest and most profound theologies; a baby that has flung stars into space, or looking down into a cattle trough and you can also look up and see the stars made by God himself. Sound too good to be true, perhaps it sounds more like fantasy and a land of fairies? At the heart of our Christian faith is a mind blowing and mind numbing reality that God himself has taken the initiative and come to be with us. All he asks is that we look, think, ponder, reflect and then have courage to sing of this reality. A reality that will always be true and will never go away because God was made flesh in Jesus. We can live and indeed will for evermore because of Christmas day. This is the real meaning of Christmas and the real source of happiness in life. Sing, pray and live a life that says Glory to God in the highest because of Jesus!

Have a lovely Christmas season of celebration and find with others its true heart. God has come amongst us and is always for us in Jesus.

The Revd Canon Mark Brown.

From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

“Only connect” One of E M Forster’s great lines! At Christmas time, we are reminded that a lot more people (three times as many) will wish to connect with the established Christian Church in our country. Whilst recent census figures might grab attention seeking media discussion the reality behind the figures is that many still connect with Christian values, the heritage of Christian faith and the prayers of many believing Christians in our community.

The challenge of us is that when people connect with us, what will they find? Let us pray and work together that when we host our many carol services, people find a welcome that is Christ centred, singing that is filled with Christ’s joy and teaching that is filled with the grace and truth that is in Jesus for all.

I and the staff team are very grateful to our many volunteers who behind the scenes enable our Church to function so well during these days of austerity and challenge. Thank you to you all.

“Open our eyes Lord we want to see Jesus” as we pray this for ourselves so we pray that through friendship, concern and invitation ( yes do use Alpha! ) that others too will find Christ. Then a real connection for life and eternity will be made.

Yours in His service

Mark Brown

From the Associate Vicar

Through December, we are surrounded by lights casting out the gloom. They are a necessity when you can wake up in complete darkness but they also bring their own sense of joy.  Strings of fairy lights and shop window displays try to put a bright spin on a gloomy (and apparently foggy) season. 

In Luke 8 it says – “no one who lights a lamp would hide it in a jar or under their bed, they would put it on a stand to get the best effect!” This Christmas lets share the wonderful light of Jesus with those around us.  We have a light that we want to share but it is our decision how we present this light and put it in a place that shines everywhere. 

Don’t forget to invite your friends and neighbours to the great Christmas events happening through December and Alpha in January. 

Roland Slade.

From the Curate

Alpha in 2023 – Who will you pray for? Who will you invite?

In the next few weeks, over a thousand people will walk through our church doors to attend Christmas Carol services. This will include family members, friends, neighbours, and work colleagues who don’t normally come to church. At the start of 2023, we want to provide an opportunity for every guest who comes over the Christmas season to explore life, faith, and meaning.

This is why we are beginning Alpha in January. Alpha is a 10-week course exploring the Christian faith in a relaxed and friendly environment. Each session begins with food and a short film about an aspect of Christianity. There’s plenty of time to discuss, ask questions, and listen to others. It’s a free and fun way for people of any background or belief to explore the good news of Jesus. We are offering Alpha at two different times, in the hope that more guests will be able to come. The idea is that you come along, with those you have invited, on whichever Alpha is most suitable in the new year. Roland is leading Alpha on Wednesday evenings, 7:30-10:00pm from 11th January, and Simon is leading a daytime Alpha on Thursday afternoons, 1:00-3:00 from 12th January.

At all services today we are encouraging the whole church to pray for God to be at work in those we know, so that they may come to know him. Please be praying for three people you would like to invite on Alpha and come to faith.

If you would like to help out at either course, by leading a discussion group, being part of the hospitality team, or helping with the administration, please email simon.oatridge@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk

If you are in the process of working out what you think about faith, Alpha is the ideal way to find out more. To sign up to one of the courses please email alpha@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk

May God use us all to help others find God for themselves.

Simon Oatridge

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