The latest news from the parish
Treasurer’s report
What an exceptional Summer we have had. Luckily, the weather held for our recent very popular Summer BBQ which raised £220 – just under the £225 raised last year. The weather has, thankfully, cooled in recent days and we now look forward to a busy Autumn.
At the time of writing, we have the Bank Holiday Monday sponsored walk on the horizon. This year we will be raising money towards important repairs to the church organ and towards a new playground shelter for Key Stage 1 at All Saints School.
We are having a Cream Teas afternoon on 5th September, and the Social Committee plan to hold a Moroccan evening on 19th September, the Harvest Lunch on 4th October and the very popular Quiz evening on 10th October.
You can see from my report above that running costs are averaging just under £3,500 per month at present, despite our utility bills being at the lowest level during Summer. It was a relief to hear that no costly repairs were required to our gas heaters this year. The continuing efforts of the Social Committee on all our fundraising events is greatly appreciated. It a very important part of our communal church life and provides essential funding in support of the running costs of the church.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Allison Scandrett – Treasurer
You will have seen in the Financial Report above that we need to raise more money for the church. So we are looking for ideas—and also for help / support for the events we arrange.
Most of them are aimed at the community – not just for the church congregation – so the community needs to be given the information in some way. So…………..
PLEASE PUT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON to come up with ideas.
Maybe a meal from another country – especially if you are able to provide a recipe or even help with the cooking.
Maybe an activity you enjoy that could be done with others.
Maybe you have a suggestion for an afternoon / evening event
Or another idea entirely.
And even ideas of how to publicise events to the community,
The main thing is, it should be enjoyable and raise money for the church.
Elizabeth H. (Chair of Social Committee) is waiting to hear from you.
Planned giving
If anyone would like to know more about the Freewill Offering Scheme, or would like to start using Freewill Offering Envelopes, please have a word with Allison who will give you a set.
Gift Aid on your Giving
If you pay tax – please also consider filling in a Gift Aid form, if you have not already done so. This enables the church to claim an additional (much needed!) 25p from HMRC for every £1 you give.
Dates for your Diary
There is no Office Hour at present.
Enquiries about baptisms, weddings and banns of marriage should be made by: e-mail to allsaintschurchSW19@gmail.com – or telephone 020 8542 5514 and leave a clear message.
*********************************************
Church Notices
Fr. Christopher will be taking his annual leave in September.
He will celebrate Mass on Sunday 6th September, and on Tuesday 8th September , then will not be at church until Sunday 27th September.
Fr. Graham Piper has agreed to cover the Tuesday evening Mass for him on 15th and 22nd September.
Fr. Michael Hazelton will be coming to celebrate Mass on Sunday 13th September, and Fr. Graham Hains will be coming on Sunday 20th September.
There will be NO Thursday morning Masses in September, but Roger will say Morning Prayer at 11 am with those who would like to join him.
There will be Choral Evensong as usual on the 3rd Sunday in September ( Sunday 20th) [but no Benediction].
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September – October Events
Saturday 19th September – Moroccan Evening
£15 per head – sign up at the back of the church.
ALL SAINTS’ HARVEST THANKSGIVING.
Sunday 4th October
11.00.a.m. – Solemn Mass followed by a Harvest Lunch
You are invited to bring a Harvest Gift – either non-perishable produce (tins or packets) which will be given to the Wimbledon Food Bank
or money, which will be sent to Water Aid. (in an envelope labelled ‘Harvest’ if possible)
1.00 pm Harvest Lunch
( look for the list in church from Sunday 20th September).
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Saturday 10th October – All Saints’ Quiz Night.
Every year, as part of our Patronal Festival Celebrations, we hold an inter-church quiz. Hopefully the questions are not too difficult, often amusing, and certainly wide-ranging, so it promises to be an entertaining and enjoyable evening.
Invitations are being sent to a number of churches who usually take part and to the school, and we usually field at least two teams from All Saints’ Church.
Further details will be given in the October magazine – but if you are interested in taking part please make a note of the date and keep it free, and look for the list at the back of the church from Sunday 27th September.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please help us by ‘spreading the word’ about two ‘events’ we provide each week for the community:
Our Open Church Coffee Morning is every Friday, now beginning at 8.45.a.m. and running until 12 noon.
Open Church provides somewhere to sit and chat to your friends over a cup of tea or coffee. You may also come in and sit quietly, or light a candle, – and there is a prayer board if you would like us to remember someone in our prayers.
There is no set charge for the Coffee / Tea and biscuits – rather there is a box on the table for donations, which are always welcomed.
Tuesday ‘Drop-In’ in All Saints Church Hall, Norman Road, every Tuesday,
Open: 12.30 – 2.30 pm But come and go when you like.
Food: Soup and Sandwiches etc. will be available – pay for what you eat.
Teas & Coffees available the whole time for a donation.
An opportunity for anyone, especially but not exclusively those who live alone, to meet with others.
A few board games, packs of cards etc. will be made available for anyone would like to make use of them.
All welcome at either – we could do with more support!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Westminster Abbey Church Pass
Are you interested in visiting Wesminster Abbey to have a look around, or having visitors who you would like to take on a visit to Westminster Abbey?
Admission charges are now quite high – but did you know that All Saints’ has a Church Pass for Admission to Westminster Abbey?
The pass admits up to 4 adults, or children over the age of 5 (who must be accompanied by an adult) Free of charge.
Children up to the age of 5 accompanied by an adult are admitted to the Abbey free of charge,
The pass may be used up to 6 times during a 12 month period – so it expires in mid November 2026.
So far it has only be used once, so if You would like to use it any time before it expires, please see Fr. Christopher.
Church Flowers
THANK YOU to those who have volunteered to take care of just one flower arrangement on a regular basis.
Occasional help is always appreciated – so you if you would like to help at any time, or to do an arrangement, please have a word with one of the volunteers:
High Altar:- Allison
Chapel:- Linda
Mary:- Shirley
Joseph:- Jenny
Sacred Heart:- Joan
Mary Altar:- Sujananthiny
‘Georges table’ (by Font.):- Eileen
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FLOWERS IN CHURCH.
There are no flowers in church during Advent and during Lent , but we aim to have several arrangements around the church for the rest of the year.
We used to have a flower rota, but this dropped off during Covid, and care for the flower arrangements is currently left to chance.
It is a lot of work for one person to undertake so at the start of a new year, we are hoping to spread the load.
We are looking for people who would be willing to take care of just one arrangement on a regular basis. It would involve checking on the water (and possibly changing it) once a week, keeping it tidy and getting new flowers as necessary (you wouldn’t have to pay for them each time – (unless you want to – just have a word with Jenny, and you will be reimbursed.
Arrangements are now done in vases – so it would not involve you in giving up a lot of time each week.
If you feel able to help in this way – please write your name against one of the arrangements in the list on the table.
No flower arranging experience necessary – if you are unsure of anything, you only have to ask.
The church is always open on a Wednesday morning for Working Party, on a Friday morning for Open Church and before and after services – but Jenny is often around at other times, so it should be possible to arrange a mutually convenient time for you to be let in.
If you have any questions – just have a word with Jenny.
Weekly Prayer List
When we are given a name for the prayer list, we tend to leave it on the list until we hear that, for one reason or another, they no longer need our prayers.
We realise that some people have conditions that need our prayers long term – so we list those in Special Need, followed by those in long-standing illness / need
(Those in Special Need are prayed for every week, whereas those on the longstanding list are prayed for once a month.)
Some names have been in the same section on the list for quite a long time, and as we don’t remember who gave us the name we are unable to check whether they are still in need of our prayers.
In order to keep the list up to date, we would be grateful if you would look through the list from time to time, – and if you think you may have added one of the names to the list, please let Jenny know, and update her on their condition.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Warm Welcome
One of the most important jobs at All Saints is to make sure that we give a warm welcome to people who come to worship with us on a Sunday.
If you think that you could give that warm welcome please add your name to the sheet on the table at the back of the church. If you would like to work with a friend that would be great – just put your names together! Hopefully, if enough people volunteer then it would only be once a month.
If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please have a word with me.
Many thanks. Linda Maurice
*****************************************
Cake Stall & Sales Table
We have a Cake Stall on the second Sunday of each month to help boost church funds, and any donations of home made ’goodies’ will be gratefully received.
They can be brought on the day. – but please let Jenny know in advance if you will be bringing something. Thank you.
Also raising money for Church Funds, the Sales Table at the back has recently been extended.
Items from the old sales table have been condensed into the right hand basket , with the cards on top of the cupboard beside the table. These items are all priced.
The left hand basket (’Rays Table) will contain a variety of brand new items, which can be bought for a donation. (amounts will be suggested – but nothing is set in stone.) At the moment there are a variety of garden and bird feed items, but contents may vary from week to week.
Money for items from either basket can be left in the blue tin.
100% of the money raised will be given to Church Funds.
The All Saints’ Tuesday Drop in.
Where: All Saints Church Hall, Norman Road, SW19 1BT
When: Every Tuesday, starting 5th September 2023.
Open: 12.30 – 2.30 pm But come and go when you like.
Food: Filled rolls etc. will be available – pay for what you eat. Teas & Coffees available the whole time for a donation.
An opportunity for anyone, especially but not exclusively those who live alone, to meet with others,
A few board games, packs of cards etc. will be made available for anyone would like to make use of them.
The hall will be ‘a warm space’ when the weather gets cold.
Open Church
Friday Morning Open Church!
All Saints’ Church is open on Friday mornings from 9.00 am – 12 noon. (Starts at 8.45.a.m. from 5th September)
Somewhere dry and warm to sit and chat to your friends over a cup of tea or coffee.
You may also come in and sit quietly, or light a candle, – and there is a prayer board if you would like us to remember someone in our prayers.
The Quiet Garden is also be available for those who would prefer to sit outside. (if the weather permits!)
To ensure good ventilation, the main door will be left open when the weather permits, and the gates will be open and the garden door unlocked for those who require level access.
And if you would be willing to come and make the coffee from time to time, please have a word with Jenny as there may be an occasional Friday when she is unable to be there and having re-opened, it would be a shame to close if this situation arose.
Weekend Pilgrimage to Walsingham
PILGRIMAGE.
Pilgrimage is an essential part of life and living. Christians see life itself in terms of a journey, coming from God and returning to God. This is true of other world religions where pilgrimage is also important. A pilgrimage is a symbolic action. It represents the journey of the Christian life from earth to heaven. The Church is sometimes described as a pilgrim people.
Back in the Middle Ages pilgrimages were very popular. It was not like going on holiday. Pilgrimages often took years. Journeys were long and dangerous and many died on route. They usually travelled in groups and would stay in monasteries of hostels on the way.
Pilgrims undertook these journeys to holy places because it was important for their faith. If they had committed sins, they believed that by going on a pilgrimage they could show God how sorry they were. Sometimes they were sent on such a journey by a priest as a penance, and sometimes they went for healing of a physical condition.
Today, a pilgrimage to Walsingham is a unique and memorable experience. It provides the opportunity to step back from the daily pressures of life and to draw nearer to God and to receive his many blessings. Sharing time in worship, prayer and devotion as well as in fellowship with other pilgrims is rewarding and helps us to become more intently aware of our Blessed Mother’’s work in our lives and to be drawn more deeply into life with her son.
When you come on a pilgrimage you will be given a programme of meal times, and organised devotions – but don’t feel you are expected to go to everything . It’s up to you what you do, and when you organise ‘free time’ to explore the area. – although due to the total number of pilgrims, the meal times have to be fixed.
Here is a picture of the Pilgrims taken during their pilgrimage this year
Discover more about Walsingham by visiting their website:
There are also some information books on the Walsingham table you can borrow- but please return them to the table afterwards..
The Latest News from our School
“Growing Stronger Together in God’s Love.”
This month’s ‘News’ from All Saints’ School can now be found here
All Saints’ welcomes children . . . .
.… and caters for
them as follows:
- Junior Church – 2nd Sunday of each month at 10 am
- A short service for children and their families.
Older children who come are encouraged to take part by reading the prayers. Everyone welcome! Those
children who come regularly will be encouraged to consider training as Servers, or to join the Choir.
Also … .
- Throughout the year, we support our Church School. We welcome them into church for school services. Apart from the end of each term, they have a service in church on All Saints’ Day and for other special occasions.
Each month, the ‘Parish News’ includes a write-up, often with photographs, produced by a different class each time. In addition, Art Work from the children is displayed in church for special occasions throughout the year.
If you would be interested in helping
with any of our children’s activities, or have any suggestions to make about
our work with children, please have a word with Roger.
All Saints' Church, South Wimbledon 