Here is your round up of the latest news from our church and beyond. Please read on to find out more.
Sunday 12 February
9.30am All Saints Kids and Friends Nehemiah 2 11.15am Morning Prayer* Nehemiah 2 6.00pm Cornerstone* Daniel 6 *The sermon at this service will be live-streamed
Yesterday the General Synod voted to approve proposals made by the bishops to uphold the doctrine of marriage while also allowing clergy freedom to offer prayers of blessing for those in same-sex partnerships should they wish to do so.
Those on both sides of the issue warned in advance that to approve these proposals would be painful and unsatisfactory to all. The decision marks a significant departure from the historic position of the church and is likely to have very serious consequences both for the Church of England and for its relationship with the wider Anglican Communion. Please continue to pray for all personally affected by these matters. Pray too for our own church council (PCC) as we begin our consideration of these things. And above all please pray that All Saints will genuinely welcome all in Jesus' name and be a church family in which we can love and support one another as we follow Christ in faithful obedience, however costly that may be to us.
Steve Nichols
Lent Book
Nothing in history has permanently changed the world more than the death and resurrection of Jesus. From Glory into Glory is a set of daily readings that follow Jesus on His journey to the glory of the Cross and resurrection (The weeks before Easter offer a great opportunity to meditate on these things, to warm our hearts and strengthen our understanding. This excellent new book of daily readings for Lent, based on John 13-17, is available for just £4 and can be ordered here: https://allsaintslindfield.churchsuite.com/events/ha1m5ms8
An Opportunity to Serve
A wonderful team helps organise our communion services, preparing the bread and wine and setting up the communion table. Are you able to join the rota to serve occasionally? Would you be willing to lead the team and coordinate the rota? If you would like to find out more, please talk to one of the clergy or email Sarah Hagger in the church office: sarah.hagger@lindfield.info
Superhero Holiday Club – Answered Prayer!
We are thrilled to announce that our holiday club is fully booked! We have 175 children signed up to attend this Easter. This incredible number has only been made possible by your amazing prayers and people signing up to serve. If you missed out on a place for your child, please email Janine as we are holding a waiting list and do expect some movement over the next few weeks (Janine.Bending@Lindfield.info).
Please continue to pray for all the preparation and planning over the coming weeks.
DBS and Safeguarding
A huge thank you for those who have stepped up to serve the children at All Saints.
If you have been contacted by Sarah Hagger and Jennie Herring regarding processing a DBS or undertaking an online safeguarding session, it would be really helpful if you could get back to them as quickly as possible. If you have not been contacted by Sarah or Jennie, then you will not need a DBS or safeguarding training at the moment.
Youth Clubs next week
There will be no meeting for Engage, Thursday 16 February or Encrypt, Friday 17 February as it is half term.
In addition to our own residential visits, you may be interested in booking onto other Christian holiday clubs for young people. The following are taking bookings now:
Explore https://www.cchh.org.uk/explore Organised by Sussex Gospel Partnership this residential camp at Forest Row is for years 4-8 in May half term, providing four days of fun, fellowship and teaching with other young people from the locality.
Ventures https://www.ventures.org.uk/ Ventures are fun-filled holidays that offer children and young people the opportunity to make great friends, take part in incredible activities and explore life with Jesus. If you're wondering which holiday to choose young people from All Saints Church family are already booked onto Reigate 2 (no 15) and Haslemere@Danehill4 (no 40)
For further information contact Sarah Neller or Janine Bending.
Marion Milton
The church family will be sad to learn that Marion Milton went to be with the Lord on 10 January 2023. Marion and Gerald had been happy attenders at our 11.15am service for some years, before sadly ill-health confined them to their home. Gerald passed away towards the end of 2022. Marion's funeral service will be held at All Saints Lindfield, on Tuesday 21 February at 2.00pm.
Ash Wednesday Communion service
On Ash Wednesday 22 February at 10.30am there will be a Communion service in the Tiger lounge followed by coffee and tea and a chance to enjoy some fellowship together.
Women Together: Come to breakfast!
Women Together invites you to join us for our first breakfast event of the new yearon Saturday 25 February from 8.30-10.30 am in church. We'll return to the theme of confidence by looking at God's love for us, seeing ourselves through His eyes. and thinking about how we can draw on this understanding to grow in confidence. The session will include some teaching, reflecting and learning together in small groups.
We'll provide tea, coffee, juice and pastries as well as a healthy alternative.
Breakfast will be available from 8.30am and we'll start our session at 9.00am.
If you're new to All Saints or haven't made it to any of our events so far, a warm welcome awaits and chance to deepen connections as well as meet new people. We'd love to see you.
Follow this link to sign up.https://allsaintslindfield.churchsuite.com/events/ciy2lehi We'll have a suggested donation of £3 to cover the cost of breakfast and you can donate by cash or card.
Read about Bekie, Sandra and Luci and their Seasons of Change
It’s a joy when our church family grows as new people join us. We love the sense of vibrancy and excitement. But have you ever stopped to think what a big change it is for those new people? In our latest seasons of change resource, Bekie, Sandra and Luci explore their recent experiences. Do read their stories HERE
and be encouraged. But also, be challenged and pray that our church family will be a place of warm welcome where people are drawn to the core of our family life around Jesus.
Confident Christianity
Join us on Tuesday 14 March for an evening to help us be confident in our faith. We'll be joined by international speakers Andy Bannister and Sharon Dirckx from Solas Centre for Public Christianity. For more information and to sign up, click below: https://allsaintslindfield.org/confident
Vacancies
Please pray for the advertisement for Seniors' Pastor, a crucial post in our church life.Click here for details of the role.We are also looking to recruit ministry trainees from September. Click here for more details.
Stuart Silk
Stuart is now on an extended period of leave before he and the family move to Barrow-in-Furness in April, where Stuart will be vicar of two parishes. Here are the key dates for your diaries: Wednesday 1 March Stuart speaking at the church prayer meeting about his future role – a chance to pray together for him and the whole family Saturday 25 March Farewell party for the Silks (details to follow) Sunday 2 April The Silk family's last Sunday at All Saints. Stuart will be preaching in the morning and leading in the evening Saturday 22 April Stuart's licensing service in Barrow (details to follow). All welcome! Please do pray for the Silks in all they have to do over these next weeks. Pray they'll find time to rest as well as prepare for what the Lord has in store for them.
BEYOND ALL SAINTS Family Support Work Spring Supper 2023
Join us for our Spring Supper on Friday 17 March to raise money and awareness for FSW. It promises to be a superb night with friends – with supper, including a fabulous array of puddings - and local entertainment.
It would be wonderful for our churches to show their support and come as a group booking. This year, tables will be seated in groups of eight. We will have a cash bar and a raffle on the night.
The supper will be held at Wivelsfield Village Hall at 7.00pm. £20 per ticket (or early bird price of £16, if booked before end of February)
To book or for more information please contact Vic Donougher or Victoria Hersey (or leave a message via the church office).
MISSION Mission Partner Focus: Open Doors
There should be no division in the body, its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12: 25–26
Burkina Faso
Praise God for the rescue of 27 women and 39 children abducted and held by Jihadists for seven days. Islamic extremists control areas of the country causing widespread hunger. Pray that the Jihadists will encounter the radical love and mercy of God
World Watch List
Praise God that 94 MPs attended the launch of the new World Watch List in Westminster last month. Pray that action will be taken in the many countries where Christians face persecution
Somalia (no. 2 on WWL)
Violent attacks against Christians are increasing. They face serious persecution from their community and often their own families. Pray that isolated Somali believers will know God’s comfort and find ways to grow in their faith
Libya (no.5 on WWL)
A lawless country where Christians risk extreme violence and are targeted by Islamic Militants. Some believers have been killed. Pray that Christians in Libya will be able to meet in safety and encourage one another
Syria (no.12 on WWL)
In view of the tragic earthquake this week please pray for our brothers and sisters who continue to experience severe persecution. Pray for the Centres of Hope and Christians as they reach out to the people in need around them. Help them as they share the love of Christ bringing hope and light in the darkness.
There is always more information on the mission stand at the back of the church and you can sign up on the Open Doors website (opendoorsuk.org) to receive regular up-to-date news Ropeholders Ron and Janet Goodenough
PRAYER
Praying for Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes
Tearfund has provided very helpful information about how to pray for the situation on their website as well as an opportunity to give.
Praying for the church family
Please continue to hold in your prayers those known to you who may be especially in need of God's comfort at this time and especially for:
Peter Diack Please pray for Peter following a recent stroke, recovering in hospital.
Derek Taylor Please pray for Derek following a recent heart attack. He is now recovering at home.
. Rosieta Burton
Please continue to pray for Rosieta’s rehabilitation in Birchwood Grove, especially for improved mobility and for some recovery of eyesight.
Gordon Trew Please continue to pray for Gordon.
PARISH REGISTER FOR JANUARY
Funerals
Betty Lloyd-Williams (11th)
Louis Charles (known as John) Brown (13th)
David Edwards (18th)
Emmalene Benson (31st)
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