Dear Friends,
Summer invitations and encouragements
Thank you for your wholehearted support at our annual meeting. Here is a brief update which I trust you will find encouraging and some pointers for the next term, so that some modest changes don’t catch you by surprise or that you don’t miss out on some of our enhanced programmes that others are enjoying (but you might miss if you don’t fix the dates now!).
Prayer Triplets – it is so encouraging to know that we have a hundred or so signed up. We will endeavour to give some feedback during the autumn term if there are specific answers to prayer and, of course, why not all make a booking to come to the September church prayer meeting on Thursday 14th September at 7:30pm.
Church Away at Home: An Open Door for Everyone, Saturday 9th September a date I trust is firmly in your diary. I am grateful to the small team organising this time which is open to all. Making connections with other members of the church family in a relaxed way is good for our life together and an unforced and attractive signpost to visitors and the wider community. Please make an effort to be part of this as fully as you are able.
Bible study with Godfrey 'Going deeper...with Christ' is the exciting title of our now developing day time ministry on Wednesday mornings from 11:15am- thanks to Godfrey and his team. There will be studies in the book of Philippians throughout the Autumn term, to enable us to "Turn up the gospel soundtrack" in our lives. Please see the separate flyer for full details and join an already vibrant congregation of eager Bible students. I am pleased this has started so well and I am encouraging further developments with occasional gatherings in the afternoon – watch this space thanks to efforts from Ruth Totterdell and Lesley Blyth.
From early September we will formally be giving thanks for our financial gifts at each service and signposting opportunities to give – this modest change to the structure at each service is in line with what most other churches would do regularly and has the support of the finance team and PCC. Please give any feedback directly to me please during this trial period of 6 weeks. Thank you for your ongoing financial support of the work of All Saints Church. There are many ways to make contributions now; it is important that these are fully known and explained and held in a context of thanksgiving and worship.
Evangelism through the Local Church. On Monday 9th October at 7:30pm. I am putting on this evening for the encouragement of the wider church -if you are interested in hearing my thoughts (it will directly influence the direction of travel for All Saints - well that is my hope!) then please come along. There will be visitors from the diocese and deanery churches are encouraged to attend. Whilst summer is a moveable feast (I personally hope weather wise it holds off from getting cooler for some time)
I do hope your summer month of August is enjoyable and restful except of course during Holiday club week where hopefully all hands will be on deck or in prayer to support Simon, Rosie and their team leading this week for children and young families.
There are plenty of suggestions for reading that have been offered to you.