From the Vicarage

Dear Friends,

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” – so writes Paul at the end of a piece of writing reflecting upon God’s generosity. Grace and gift that is overwhelming even rendering one speechless – it is indescribable. So followers of Christ with the necessary time and space to reflect will become aware of God’s grace, goodness and generosity that comes to us undeserved and often unasked for.

As we enter an extended time of reflection on the great historic events of our faith that make up Holy Week may we find many anchor points from the historical acts of God that lead to an awareness of God’s grace in our lives. I am praying for us all that others might see us as a gift to them. That our Church family of All Saints might find out how it can express the gift of its life together as a gift to our local community and many networks. God has come to us in the past in Christ and by the power of His Spirit comes to us in gift and grace today. May others say “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” because of us and our fresh discovery of God’s grace this Easter time.

Yours in His service

Mark

From the Youth Team

In youth we have started using some of the Platinum Jubilee resources designed in partnership with Youth for Christ, YouthScape, Prayer Spaces and various others.  We have prayed for Ukraine, enjoyed a variety of socials and had someone from Roundabout Homeless Charity come and speak. 

We have done a joint evening with the youth from St Gabriel's Greystone and helped lead the worship and prayers and the readings and dramas at the 6pm. 

On Monday nights many of the youth have enjoyed playing football at HSBC and we are very thankful to Stuart and Pete for leading this each week.  

As we move forward into the next half term we are looking forward to expanding the worship band and leading the 6pm on a monthly basis.  If you have a youth of any ability or skill who would like to join us for this, or want to come on a Sunday evening generally, then please do encourage them to come along.  Our youth are a wonderful group and always welcoming to new people or people who haven't been for a while.  

As a team we find it so inspiring to see and hear how the youth are living out their faith and would really encourage you to consider whether you would like to join us as part of the team.  You don't have to lead anything, just having adults with a DBS and safeguarding training who are willing to come along and chat makes a big difference.  

Please do continue to pray for our youth and for us as a team journeying with them. 

Thank you,

Youth at All Saints  

From the Estates Team

Maintenance and Repair of the Church

We are nearing the end of the works highlighted in the 2017 Quinquennial Inspection, this work has included repairs to roofing, guttering, windows and lighting. The scaffolding has now come down on the North Porch and that roof is now watertight which means we can now start work on the internal plastering repairs, which will require a phase of inspection and drying out over a number of months.

We have also recently completed the first phase of a major upgrade of the church lighting controls which, once fully commissioned and tested, will re-establish full control over the lighting to illuminate the interior of the building and really showcase its beauty once again.

If you have any questions regarding the fabric works taking place in and around the church building, please don’t hesitate to contact our Operations Manager Stephanie Osman on stephanie.osman@allsaintsecclesall.org.uk who will be happy to talk with you.

Supporting Ukraine

Here at All Saints Ecclesall we want to provide information to both our church family and our community about practical ways that you can support Ukrainians fleeing the country at this present time.

Please see below for the different ways that you may be able to provide help and support.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme, launched on 14 March, will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK.

Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property.

Bishop Sophie and Bishop Pete are keen to encourage households to consider the possibility of registering in this way, although they recognise the risks and complexities. Those wishing to explore this option seriously may find it useful to visit resetuk.org or its partner Sanctuary Foundation. You can also read more on the CofE website.

If you feel you are in a position to explore supporting a named Ukrainian or named Ukrainian family, Rev Casey Strine, the Bishop’s Advisor for Inter-Faith Affairs, has a connection with an individual in the Ukraine and he has offered to be a point of contact to facilitate this activity, please contact Casey directly.

A member of our church family has also asked us to highlight the work of Innovista International, who assist UK churches to support the church in Ukraine. Please see their website for more information about how to give and pray.

We encourage you to keep Ukraine in your prayers and thank everyone who is able to help in anyway possible.

From the Church Office

A time of significant change is coming in the church office. This week we are delighted to welcome Rachel Dixon who will be starting as our new Finance Officer. Please pray for Rachel as she begins her new role. But there will also be some goodbyes. Last week we announced that Sally will be leaving the role of Church Administrator at Easter and Elaine will be preparing to go on maternity leave from the end of April.

But in the meantime the work of the office carries on! This week we have been starting to think about services from May-July and have been once again blessed by the support of Lesley Blyth who does a wonderful job in coordinating the leading and preaching rota. We are also hugely grateful to and blessed by all the members of our extended team of leaders and preachers who serve at All Saints.

Thank you all for your time, efforts and patience with us!

Everyone in the All Saints Church Office

From the Vicarage

Dear Friends,

A member of the Parish commended a prayer of St Brendan:

Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for You.

There are many wonderful evocative phrases in St Brendan’s prayer and I draw your attention to the “music of heaven!” At a recent gathering of the many leaders and music makers at All Saints someone suggested making the month of March a music month. “Music March” So happily there are emerging leaders and teams of music makers at our various services all of which would be delighted to see others join them. There is clearly within our Church services a range of styles and approaches, something for everyone! Do let me know or our band leaders or choir leaders know directly if you would like to join them. I have been thrilled to see new faces singing and of course our young people with  such talent leading some of our evening gatherings. Why not join them – the invitation is there from them.

We are planning a social for all associated with our music making and its administrative and technical support ( ipad skills and operators are needed too! ) in the summer – so signing up has a sunshine dividend attached to it with a social!

Music lifts the spirits when many during these days are seeking to trust in the darkness and journey obediently into the unknown. Thank you especially to the lay leaders of our various congregations  of choirs and bands your ministry in Christ’s name to us all helps these journey’s of obedience as we seek to break fresh ground.

Yours in Christ

Mark

Announcement from All Saints Ecclesall

Appointment of a new Associate Vicar

We are delighted to be able to announce the successful appointment of Revd Roland Slade as the new Associate Vicar at All Saints Ecclesall. Roland is due to start with us in the summer.

Please do pray for Roland and his wife Caroline as they start their transition from Chalfont St Peter to Sheffield in the coming months. Thank you all for your prayers and to those members involved in the recruitment and interview process.

Revd Roland Slade’s biography

Roland initially studied Biochemistry at Southampton University, before working for St Aldate’s Oxford and the Church Mission Society. He also spent a year teaching in Tanzania, before training for ordination at Ridley Hall in Cambridge. He completed his curacy at another All Saints’ Church – in Marlow, Buckinghamshire!

Since September he has been an interim vicar in the village of Chalfont St Peter. Roland is an avid trail runner and rugby fan, and is looking forward to exploring the Peak District alongside his wife Caroline, and their puppy Oakley. Both Roland and Caroline are musicians, and are looking forward to joining the choirs and orchestras of Sheffield as well as bringing their gifts to the worship team. In ministry, Roland is passionate about discipleship, preaching, and training up young leaders across the church. 

Roland’s licensing will take place on Wednesday 29th June at 7:30pm in church.  More information will follow in due course.

We are really looking forward to welcoming Roland and Caroline to All Saints Ecclesall.

Yours in Christ,

The Revd Canon Mark Brown

From the Children's Minister

With Lent beginning this week the Children’s Ministry department is as busy as ever.  As well as our usual groups and school’s work, we have been preparing for Lent.  We have sent out a pack to all those families who have signed up to receive post from us, containing creative Lent activities to do and one of the ‘Live Lent Embracing Justice For Kids’ booklets (If you have children and haven’t received a pack by Wednesday then do get in touch with Rosie).  

We’ve got our drop-in pancake party on Monday 28th February at 4:15pm – 6:15pm for all those under eleven years old and their families. 

On Wednesday Rosie will be leading an Ash Wednesday service for children from Clifford All Saints, on Palm Sunday we have the return of the donkeys and on Good Friday we will be creating Easter Gardens. 

Rosie is hugely grateful to all those who volunteer and support our children’s ministry and to those who pray for her and all the work we do.   

if you would like to get involved with any of our children’s work then please do get in touch with the office on 0114 2687574.