All Saints’ Church

The LAMP Group of Parishes
Emberton, Filgrave, Tyringham, Little Linford and Haversham

Church of All Saints’, Emberton
Connecting people with Jesus Christ and each other

A Prayer for All Saints’ Church
Heavenly Father, please help us at All Saints’ to better serve our community and bring your message to everyone in a way that glorifies you and enhances the lives of those we touch. Amen.

THE RECTOR’S PAGE (and sometimes the Curate’s)

Busy, busy Christmas, and now what?

I don’t want to depress anyone, but there really seems to be an increasing amount of evil in the world at the moment.  And unfortunately evil does beget evil.  You may be fed up with me writing about Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank – the ‘Holy Land’? – Sudan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Iran and Venezuela.  Much was trumpeted about the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela yet almost nothing was broadcast about the hundred or so guards and others who were gunned down by American forces.  Is that not murder?  They have grieving families too, and how does a ‘Christian’ man like Trump think that is what Jesus would do?

The argument that is made, of course, is that the end justifies the means – and that is always a dangerous road to go along.

The Rome regime was illegal and deeply oppressive during the life of Jesus, but, despite having Godly power in a single man he refused to zap Pilate, kidnap the High priests, murder those arresting him or set the disciples on the Centurion who came to him for help.  Why?  Because he knew that there is another way, albeit not instant, and not painless.

I want that way of living, where loving one’s neighbour (neighbouring nation, town, village, person) is mandatory.  Like the peaceful protesters in Iran, the protesters against ICE in Minneapolis, the Palestinian marches for peace in the UK, the defenders of the weak in Ukraine, and the voters in Greenland, (and many more), I want to be heard.  I want the church leaders throughout the world to visualise what love really means, to risk all in condemning murder, abuse and violence of all types, even if, by doing so, it puts them at odds with the government of the day.  Like Jesus, they, or we, may well find ourselves crucified for their opinion.

Jesus’ ministry was just three years long, and then he was violently shut-up because loving one’s neighbour was too radical, maybe it still is too radical.  Of course you know the story – you can’t keep a good man down, thank God!

John writes in the Bible that God is Love.  God’s unconditional love gives us freewill, as most of us give to our children.  And then, set on their tracks, I just hope they love, love and love again.  Ditto God hoping we use our gifts to love rather than leave the world with more pain, hopelessness and grief.

I’m not without confidence, though.  I’m with Arthur Ainger, son of a vicar, who wrote in 1901:

“nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be:  when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.”

(Incidentally a service for peace, with Ukrainians present, will be held at Emberton 11am on 22nd February, the anniversary of the invasion.)

Blessings to you all.

Revd Prof Adrian Low
Priest for the Lamp group of parishes
Haversham, Little Linford, Tyringham, Filgrave, Emberton
The Rectory, High Street, Haversham, MK19 7DT
rev.adrian.low@gmail.com 07883717642 www.thelampchurches.com

SERVICES

Sunday 8th February
11:00am Holy Communion

Sunday 15th February
6:00pm Evensong

Wednesday 18th February
Ash Wednesday
7:00pm St Mary’s, Haversham

Sunday 22nd February
11:00am All Saints – Ukrainian service

Sunday 1st March
6:00pm SEOS

Sunday 8th March
11:00am Holy Communion

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE LAMP GROUP WEBSITE!
http://thelampchurches.com/

All Saints’ church is open during the day and you are welcome to visit.

Monthly Lunches
Following on from our very successful Lent Lunches we are now back to our usual lunches held on the first Thursday of each month in church. We will be supporting different charities each time, and all are very welcome, starting at 12.30pm.

Every Thursday
Our Churchyard working party on Thursday mornings is now back! Coffee is served at 11.00am for visitors and workers in the church. All are very welcome.

All Saints’ News
For up to date Church news, please visit our Facebook page, as well as this webpage, and there will also be some posts on the WhatsApp group, Emberton Echo. https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsChurchEmberton/

PATHWAYS
The Diocese of Oxford magazine
Click here to read the magazine

USUAL PATTERN OF SERVICES

1st Sunday of the month
6.00pm Something Else on Sunday
An evening service with a difference. It uses video, soundtrack, and readings. This service offers a very different way to present some key biblical messages which we hope will deepen understanding and offer new perspectives. Please do give it a try.

2nd Sunday
11.00am Holy Communion
A Communion Service using modern liturgy. The children meet in the Gathering Area in church for Children’s Church at about 11.45am.
6.00pm Compline
A quiet short service of reflection to end the day.

3rd Sunday
6.00pm Evensong
A Book of Common Prayer Sung Evensong with sermon. Hymns are taken from a selection of books.

4th Sunday
11.00am Café Church
A Family Service in the Gathering Area at the back of the church, with a short talk suitable for all ages, together with refreshments.
6.00pm Compline
A quiet short service of reflection to end the day.

Please check news and prayer leaflet for further information, or the Church Notice Board for any changes.

To arrange Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals at All Saints’, please contact the Revd Prof Adrian Low.

The Parochial Church Council and Friends of All Saints’ encourage the use of the Church for other community events, such as concerts, theatrical evenings, workshops, etc. Please contact the PCC Secretary in the first instance.

The church is always here for you Any enquiries should go to our Priest-in-Charge, the Revd Prof Adrian Low 07883 717642, or the Churchwardens: Maddi Forrester 07769 923787, or Sheila Watts 07703 279165.

Improvements to the Church
Our latest improvement is the wonderful new notice board at the churchyard entrance. This has been purchased with a generous donation in memory of Ken & Elizabeth Turner, and by the Parish Council.

Outreach
All Saints’ regularly supports the MK Food Bank, the Tearfund, and Crisis at Christmas. Various charities are also supported at the monthly Thursday lunches.

Choir
All Saints’ has an enthusiastic small choir, who lead the singing at Sunday Services. Choir members enjoy joining the Royal School of Church Music for some of their ‘Come and Sing’ events. The Choir is supported by the “Emberton Occasionals” at Weddings and special Services. For further details please contact Hilary Proud via the Rector.

Bell Ringers
There is an active band of bell ringers, who ring All Saints’ 6 bells before Services, and also practice on a Tuesday night 7.45 – 9.00pm. New recruits are very welcome. Please see the Bell Ringers’ page on this website, or contact Sheila Watts 07703 279165 for more information.

Children’s Church
The Children’s Church meets in the Gathering Area in church on the 2nd Sunday each month at 11.45am under the leadership of Maddi Forrester and Judith Taylor. See the photographs for some of their activities, and please contact Maddi Forrester, 01234 714903, for more details.

Homegroup
The Homegroup meets on alternate Monday evenings to discuss various aspects of the Christian message. The group includes people from other parishes, and new members are always welcome. Please contact Judith Taylor on 01234 240690 to find out more.

Friends of All Saints’
All Saints’ is supported by the Friends’ group (FOAS), who are a registered charity. They work with the Parochial Church Council to preserve and protect the fabric of the Church and Churchyard and to raise funds to assist with improvements to make the building suitable for use by the community for a wide variety of activities. Please see the FOAS page on this website.

A Brief History of the Church
It is believed that the building was constructed between 1340-1410. It is in the ‘Decorated Gothic’ style. Work began on the Chancel, with its magnificent east window and progressed through to the building of the tower. During this period, England was at war with France and the Black Death killed thousands of the population resulting in a shortage of skilled masons. This led to wages and prices soaring, which explains why the decoration becomes plainer on the west side of the Church.

Unusually we have a portrait in brass of Reverend John Morden, who was the priest when the Church was completed. His brass records that he gave two bells, one of which had the inscription ‘In Multis Annis Resonet Campana Joannis’ (John’s bell shall sound for many a year).

An interesting ‘rumour’, for which there is some corroborative evidence is that the remains of Sir Everard Digby, hung, drawn and quartered for his part in the Gunpowder Plot, lies buried in the Chancel.

By the mid 19th Century, the Church was in danger of falling down. Very extensive restoration work was undertaken by the Reverend Campbell Hulton – many of his relations and descendants gave generously to the scheme and are commemorated in the mural tablets and windows which are such a dominant feature of the Church interior. Restoration and improvements continue to this day, with the recent addition of cloakroom and kitchen, as we strive to bring the building into the 21st Century.

Who’s Who?
Rector: The Revd Professor Adrian Low, The Rectory, Haversham, MK19 7DT. 07883 717642 rev.adrian.low@gmail.com
Curate: The Revd Kimonie Nicholls. 01908 610956, 07760 115834 kimonie.nicholls@outlook.com
LLM (Lay Reader): Louise Cook, 01908 745904 louise@holmesandcook.com
Churchwardens: Maddi Forrester, Cedar House, High Street, Emberton, MK46 5JB. 07769 923787
Sheila Watts, 28 Gravel Walk, Emberton, MK46 5JA. 07703 279165
Parochial Church Council Secretary: Janet Gamlen 01234 711729
PCC Treasurer: Jackie Knight 07714 153335
PCC Members: Louise Cook, Bill Moody, Hilary Proud, Warwick Clarke, Anita Jamieson, Jackie Knight (ex-officio), and Angela Laval (ex-officio)

Safeguarding Policy
All Saints’ operates a Safeguarding Policy, promoting a safer church. Click here for a copy of the Parish Safeguarding Policy.
Safeguarding concerns? Contact Angela Laval on 01234 713979/07976 560365 or alaval100@gmail.com.

General Data Protection Regulations
Please click on this link for the Data Privacy Notice

Churchyard Regulations
Please click on this link for the Diocese of Oxford Churchyard Regulations

For up to date news: www.facebook.com/AllSaintsChurchEmberton
Web: www.achurchnearyou.com/emberton-all-saints/