November 2024 Newsletter
All Saints Church, Earls Barton
News Sheet November 2024
We Will Remember Them
Revd Jenny Bland
November is a month of Remembrance in the life of the church. All Saints and All Souls starts the beginning of the month, Remembrance Sunday marks the middle of this month and then at the end of the month we’re remembering those caught up in conflict now and holding a service of prayer for the Middle East (see ‘whats on at All Saints’ for more information).
All Souls has a personal connection with all of us who have known someone who has died and is a season for us to remember them, to celebrate their life and to give ourselves space and time to grieve. Our All Souls event is always a hallowed time in church where we light candles, put names on our memory tree and read aloud the names of our loved ones passed followed by prayers. But in case you can’t make the event or would prefer to do something at home, here are 5 ideas for how to remember your loved ones passed around All Souls:
Light a Candle - Lighting a candle in memory of a loved one is a simple yet powerful act. You can do this before a meal or in a special place in your home. Allow the light to symbolise their presence and the continuation of their spirit
Create a Memory Table - Set up a small table with photographs, mementos, or personal items that remind you of your loved one/s. Your can use flowers and candles too to form a special place to go for reflection and prayer.
Share Stories and Memories - Gather with family or friends to share stories and memories of those you are remembering. This can be done during a meal or as part of a special gathering. Reflecting on the good times can bring comfort and help keep their legacy alive.
Visit Their Resting Place - Visiting the graves or resting places of loved ones can be a meaningful way to honour them. Consider bringing flowers, saying a prayer, or spending a few quiet moments reflecting on their life and impact.
Acts of Charity or Service - What did your loved one do in their life, what mattered to them? Could you engage in a charitable act or volunteer service in their name? This could involve donating to a cause they cared about or spending time helping others, what a beautiful way of continuing their legacy of kindness and love. However you are remembering this month, your church is here for you and open for you to use every day. A prayer you might like to say: Loving God, in this month of Remembrance be close to me and all those to grieve. Remind us of the life you have for us beyond the now and strengthen all those who mourn. In our remembering help us to be compassionate, brave and to seek peace in our every day. Amen.
What’s on at All Saints Church?
Every Day
We are open every day 10am - 4pm* (10-3pm on Fridays in term-time) for everyone in our parish to make use of their church. So pop in, have a look around, make time to pray, read from the Bible or enjoy a pit stop with your little ones as they play with the toys. We’re open for you.
*Subject to weddings, funerals, school services and events or and special circumstances.
Midweek Worship
Every Wednesday - 9:30am Holy Communion
On the first Wednesday of the month there is a short service of Holy Communion in the Church Hall at 3pm followed by refreshments - everyone is welcome!
November Sunday Services
3rd - 9am Holy Communion, 10am All Together Service, 6pm Evensong
10th - Remembrance Sunday, 10am Holy Communion, 10:45 War Memorial Act of Remembrance, 11:15 Civil Service
17th - 10am Holy Communion (with children’s group, SmAll Saints)
24th - 10am Holy Communion, 3pm Prayer Vigil for the Middle East crisis
Everyone is welcome to join us for our services and we warmly encourage children. We have an area with books and toys for families and a toilet a short walk away in our Church Hall. Refreshments are served and friendship encouraged after every Sunday 10am service in the Church Hall (except Remembrance Sunday where they’re after the 11:15 service)
Events in November
3rd - 4-5:30pm All Souls Event (drop in and stay for as little or as long as you’d like).
11th – 8pm Pints of View, The Stag from 8pm.
16th – Big Quiz in aid of the Tear Fund in the Church Hall
Looking ahead to December…
1st – 10am Christingle, 6pm Advent Service
7th & 8th – The Christmas Experience (more exciting news to come…)
7th – Amicorum Christmas Concert
14th – 10am-1pm Fairtrade Coffee Morning and Christmas Market in the Church Hall
15th – 6pm Lessons and Carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies
24th – 4pm Crib Service, 7.15pm Carols on the Square, 11pm Midnight Mass
25th – 10am Christmas Celebration with Holy Communion
Messages from Charlotte Nobbs and Sarah Howes (Our Youth Worker)
JaM (‘Jesus and Me’) is a group that accommodates children and their families who want to explore faith through informal conversation and different learning styles, such as quiet prayer space, creativity, wondering about a Bible story, praying, games or making something.
What is new? We are meeting every Sunday, apart from the All Together Services and in holiday times.
Who can come? It is designed with our children and young people in mind, but all are welcome. If you want to find out more you are very welcome. Just join the group when we leave the church building during the morning service at about 10:15 with the group to meet in the parish rooms for our time together.
If you are a parent/grandparent of a child what do I have to do to prepare? If you have a child who is going to join JaM, we encourage you to join them so that you can share your learning into the week. However, if you want to send your child unaccompanied, please let the leaders know, and ensure that you have filled in the registration forms before sending them. (We have these in church for you to fill in – just let Charlotte, Suzanne or Sarah know).
B1BS & BOBS
Barton First Babies and Older Babies continues to meet at the Methodist Chapel from 2-3:30pm on Tuesdays. We have been so pleased that so many All Saints people have joined in with these afternoons and been part of the welcome. It is the way that our EB families get to bump up against Jesus followers and bring that special hospitable love that is so special. Thank you for being your wonderful selves. We have such a warm and relational time, and would love to welcome your help in hosting in the next half term: Tuesdays: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th November, 3rd, 10th, 17th December - If you are free on any of these dates, please let Jackie or Charlotte know.
Experience Christmas
During the week of Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th December, we are planning to share the story of Christmas with our wider community through 6 scenes set up around the church. We have run this with EB Primary School and Kings Meadow Primary School. This year we are wanting to share this again with the schools, and we have ambition for families to visit too. This will be connected with what was our ‘Christmas Tree Festival’ with a focus on the Nativity story.
How can I be involved?
Being part of the team that hosts and shares the story with the schools and wider community. Come to find out more and what this might look like on Tuesday 12th November at 7:30-9 pm at Charlotte’s house, 1 Doddington Road
Bringing your own children, grandchildren, and neighbours to visit the Christmas scenes
Coming to the Sunday service (Sunday 7th December, 10am) and experiencing the story and the scenes, along with a family focused communion.
Please pray that our Experience Christmas focus gives many families an opportunity to be part of this story. Do get in touch with Charlotte or Sarah if you would like to be involved.
Youth drop in on Fridays
Every Friday in term time we have a drop in at All Saints church for any secondary school young people who want to pop into the church after school (3.15- 4.30pm) for snacks, small games and chat. All young people welcome.
All Saints Youth discipleship group
Every 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, young people are welcome to join us for our youth discipleship group which meets in various homes of church members from 7-8.30pm, for snacks, games, Bible study, prayer and support.
The Upper Room On Third Sundays of the month young people are welcome to join us in the church (7-8.30pm) for an evening of food, worship, story telling, crafts, prayer and activities.
News for the Primary School from Simon Elvin
Please keep the Primary School in your prayers! The disruption caused by the (already delayed) building work is massive, especially its effect on movement around the school and noise in classrooms. We are supporting their Reading work with volunteers going in to hear individual children read – it’s so appreciated and rather enjoyable! If you might be interested in joining the team, please have a word with me.
Simon Elvin
simon.elvin1@ntlworld.com
Messages from Catherine Johnson our organist and choir leader
Advent Carol Service - Sunday 1st December at 6pm. Start the season of Advent with a short service with Advent carols and readings. Why not bring a friend or neighbour to this lovely event? A great start to the run up to Christmas. If you would like to do one of the readings for this service, please see Catherine Johnson, who will be leading this service.
Service of Lessons and Carols - Sunday 15th December at 6pm. Come and join the choir for this event!
Rehearsals are in the church on Friday evenings from 5 - 6pm, starting on Friday 1st November. The choir helps to lead the congregational carols and also sings some choir only pieces. ALL are welcome. If you are not sure if this is for you, come along and give it a try.
FAIRTRADE NEWS
‘Repair & Mend’ Cafes – With our EB Green group, we’re aiming to run these bimonthly and can offer sewing & knitting repairs plus some portable electrical/electronic repairs including radios, laptops, vacuums, toasters, speakers. We’d love to expand what we do so come & chat to us on the 9th if you have any mending skills you’d like to offer next time! We’re planning to have a Winter Clothes Swap too so look for details nearer the time. Let’s all try & work together to make better use of what we already have…
So please join us for our next busy café morning…
FAIRTRADE CAFÉ & BOOKSALE on SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER as we also have one of our MEND & REPAIR CAFES then (& see above), A Winter Clothes Swap AND are joined by the WI who will have a stall too.Lots of beautifully ethical Christmas gifts & new cards in stock. Enjoy chatting, browsing our products & secondhand books, & fresh coffee & yummy homemade cakes… Everyone welcome! Email: nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk 07812 686944
The Tearfund Big Quiz Night 2024 is on its way…and you’re invited!
Saturday November 16th @7.15pm All Saints Church Hall
We welcome teams of up to 6 people & ask for a suggested donation of £5 minimum per person – we’re raising funds for Tearfund’s fantastic development work with some of the world’s most disadvantaged people. Please book in even if you don’t have a team, as we will work that out on the night, we’d love to have you come along!
Contact us soon to book: 07812 686944 or email nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk & we’ll send the link to our Tearfund JustGiving page for your donation
Please bring your own drinks and we supply glasses, nibbles and all you need for the quiz……you just supply some answers!
Hundreds of communities across the UK took part last year, thousands of people got involved. Don’t miss out as this is your chance to gather friends & family together in teams of up to 6 people for an evening of poverty-busting, community-building fun. See you there! Martin, Sandra & Nic