From one of the Curates

This Sunday, the church across the world celebrates Pentecost, the day when God poured out his Holy Spirit on his people as we read in Acts 2. It’s been said that Christmas is ‘God with us’, Easter is ‘God for us’, and Pentecost is ‘God in us’: what an amazing promise and reality!

All believers are given the gift of God himself, the Holy Spirit, to enable us to know God’s love, to love him, become like him, and to be his witnesses. The Apostle Paul prays that the Ephesian church may be “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Imagine if that prayer was answered here at All Saints Ecclesall!

This Pentecost may each of us consider where we need more of God’s presence, power, love, fruit, and gifts in our life - and may we follow St. Paul’s example in asking that we would be filled with all the fullness of God.

Wishing you a happy and holy Pentecost,

Simon Oatridge

From the Youth Minister

It has been and will continue to be an intense couple of months for our young people and their families as we are in the midst of the exam season. Please join me in praying that they all are able to do their best, be filled with God's peace and grounded in His love.

Cam Catto, Youth Minister

From the Vicar

Seed sowing for the future:

Thank you to the Wardens, PCC and staff team for your contributions to our APCM last Wednesday. The YouTube footage won’t be the real thing but you’ll be able to watch it on catch-up (on our YouTube channel) from next week.

I invite all of our magnificent All Saints church family to be actively sowing seeds for the future. With the Lord’s help, our prayers, love and sharing of resources will enable spiritual fruit. I am keen that we pay particular attention to: Young families, children and young people; Those with potential or capacity to lead; Those who for whatever reason might find life difficult or are struggling.

Pastoral care - not least because of the ministry of Sue Blaby and her team - has always been a hallmark of All Saints.

Let us pray that as the whole All Saints church family unites in love and prayer much fruit for Christ’s glory will be seen in the years ahead in these and in other areas.

Yours in Christ,

Mark Brown

From the Wardens

As the APCM next week approaches, it is all change in the warden team. We say goodbye to both Richard Blyth and Lynne Bradey and thank them for their tremendous contributions to the smooth running and coordination of the many facets of life at All Saints. Particular gratitude is due to Richard who generously returned to the warden role last summer to fill in the vacancy associated with Sue Gill’s stepping down from her position as Senior Warden. Richard has been invaluable in enabling Alan and I to settle into our respective roles of Deputy Warden and Warden. It has been a pleasure to serve the church this past year, supporting our outstanding clergy and leadership team. We would like to also thank the stewards and welcomers who work with the wardens to ensure the services run smoothly and that everyone, especially visitors, feel welcome and able to participate fully in the worship. - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves - Romans 12:10.

Rob Coleman

From the Associate Minister

This Sunday kicks off ’Parent Talk’ – a course created by Care for the Family for parents to think about how we can do it in a Christian way.

We have a number of families signed up, so do pray for them as they consider what it means for them. We all know that parenting is done by many people including by extended families and close friends. It is a blessing to be part of the formation of children and young people in our church. What is your role in this, whether big or small? Whether direct or indirect we are all part of bringing up young people. It could be practically and it can be spiritually in prayer.

All of it makes a tangible difference to the next generation – let’s not miss the opportunity! May God bless you in all you do.

Roland

From the Treasurer

I am pleased to let the church family know that formal approval of the statutory accounts for 2024 should take place when PCC meets on 12th May. Our auditors will be providing a “true and fair” opinion on them, which is always welcome news.  A big thank you to everyone, particularly the finance team, who support our financial governance and processes.

I look forward to providing a summary of our finances in my Treasurer's presentation at the APCM on 21st May. Mark encouraged us all to find new ways to seek spiritual renewal during our Lenten journey this year. New for me was God speaking through the different art work, particularly Caravaggio’s “the supper at Emmaus”. There won’t be any art work in my presentation, just some colourful spreadsheets and slides! I will be reflecting on how our finances are an integral part of our journey at All Saints and how our verse for 2025 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) encourages us to look ahead as well as back financially. 

All Saints continues to be generously blessed financially. Thank you to everyone who contributes to our church funds both through regular giving and one-off gifts. 

Julia Newton

From the Children's Minister

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

As you look back at Holy Week 2025, I wonder what you will remember and what your highlights were. There were many for me, from looking out on Palm Sunday and seeing a couple of hundred people waving palm leaves as an act of worship to Christ our King, through to the children racing around church on Easter Sunday, looking for eggs containing promises of Jesus. None of our Holy Week services or events would have happened without the many volunteers who gave their time, energy and service to make it happen and so I’d like to echo Mark in giving thanks for everyone who helps in the mission and ministry of Christ at All Saints, not only during Holy Week but all year round.

One of my highlights was seeing current or former Toddler families at all three of our all-age services; Seeing the connections we made and relationships we build every week making a difference. If you don’t already volunteer somewhere at All Saints, I would strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider it, as it is truly a blessing when you see God using something you have been part of to bring people closer to Him. Watching rose petals descend from the balcony as we sang ‘Above all Powers’ on Good Friday was a moving moment for many of us but knowing there were people there who were experiencing that moment because of the mission and ministry of our church family made it even more special for me.

As you reflect on your Holy Week highlights, I pray that you would feel closer to our risen Lord and know afresh how loved you are.

Rosie Blackett, Children’s Minister

From the Vicar

Dear Friends

Celebrating Christ’s Risen Life

Happy Easter everyone! One of the great signs of Easter life is the vibrant, visible and active faith of church members. So may I take this opportunity to celebrate many unsung heroes of God’s church who give of their time, energy, love and commitment to serve our All Saints family in its ministry and mission. This duty and joy is of course inspired by an active faith in our risen Saviour. At Easter particular thanks are due to those who donate and arrange flowers helping to make our church such a beautiful place of worship. Wardens, those who welcome, PCC members, administration and finance teams, those who visit homes and care homes, those who run mid-week and Sunday groups. Those who pray publicly and privately. Those who write and read emails (!). The list could of course go on.

“Know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” Paul says at the end of that great chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians. This labour in the Lord is not in vain because it is inspired by the reality and fact of Christ’s risen life. The evidence for the resurrection of Christ is many and varied but one of its greatest witnesses is the faith of the church’s members which inspires love and devotion to Christ and his church. We are grateful for all that is done and not least on this Easter day for the pointer it gives that faith and trust in Christ is real and alive through her members. Happy Easter.

Thanks be to God for raising Christ to live for evermore, the faith and trust of those who believe this and show it by their commitment to serve and share.

Mark

PS We celebrate this in public forum at our Annual Meeting and seek God’s direction for our future together May 21st, 7:30pm.