From the Curate

The call to ordination is one that I have carried with me for many years. One of the hardest things along the way has been whether God was actually calling me to this. Was it really his voice drawing me into full-time ministry in the Church of England, or not? Alongside prayer, worship, time and reading scripture, one of the most important things that helped me work this all out, was sharing this sense of call with others – with fellow sisters and brothers in the church, my family and friends.

I don’t know if you can relate? Maybe it is a day-to-day thing - sensing God’s still small voice prompting you to pray for someone, or God reminding you of his faithfulness by prompting you to stop and be silent for a moment. Maybe it is something bigger – a sense that you want to start giving some time, or skills, or money to God’s work here on earth. Whatever it is, it can be hard to discern if the sense is from God. But don’t let these Holy-Spirit-Prompts pass you by. Instead, let’s share these prompts with one another and bring them before God in prayer. And, in the end, respond! For me, it was a wise member of All Saints Ecclesall who prayed for and with me and helped me discern whether God might be calling me. Having shared some of the journey with me, he reminded me that though God calls, he will never force us to follow; he invites us to make the decision. His will does not bypass our will, but instead we offer our will, our desire and our dreams to him, that he might bring them in to line with his.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Ben Lacey

From the Vicar

Dear Friends

“We will support them….”

Ordinations are to be celebrated. Men and women offer themselves for various public ministries in the life of the Church of God. This comes after sustained reflection, prayer and training. It is not a step to be undertaken lightly. We are privileged to have been used by God at All Saints, to see many men and women sent for training who are now set in place within the Church of England for their ministries. In our own day at the Cathedral this weekend, we remember the Lacey and Holme families as they support Ben and Stephen respectively. One of the most moving lines in the Cathedral service – said in 42 dioceses up and down our country is from the assembled congregation who are asked by the Bishop “Will you support them…?” Public ministry today is under even more scrutiny and in addition the complexities of pastoral needs seems not to get easier, alongside of course the nagging suspicion that someone with a dog collar really should know the answer to every question!

Do pray for each ordained person that the Lord’s grace and goodness will flow from their lives. I shall be making a small presentation with some appropriate words for the occasion to Ben and Stephen at the evening service on July 6th at 6pm - do join us then or remember us in prayer if you cannot be there. Public ministers are there in the main to represent the ministry of all so might I conclude this brief commendation to pray that all our ordained staff are there to support your calling and ministry. Each of us has a calling to follow Christ. Each of us has been given gifts by God to use and each of us need each other. Such a vision for the church, if realised and acted upon, would see a rekindling of an often used phrase of yester year, “every member ministry”. Thank you indeed for your own ministry. If I or the ordained team can be of support and encouragement to your own ministry, then do please ask.

Mark

From the Vicar

Dear Friends,

I am so thrilled to be hosting what has become an annual event at All Saints in the summer time, a service of Confirmation. I can easily and happily call Bishop Richard Blackburn a friend of the parish owing to his supportive work as chair of the board of Whirlow trustees, our valued partner in God’s work in these parts. Richard and I shall be leading the service together and I trust we can count on your presence and attendance.

Above all, pray for the candidates who are taking a public step of faith. Some will be known to us, others will soon become our friends in the faith as they are welcomed into our midst. Confirmation simply means that the Holy Spirit of God himself confirms the faith we have in Jesus. I have found over the years these are not empty words but demonstrate that faith in Jesus affects our day-to-day lives. We thank God that a good number are showing evidence that faith affects life day by day. A reminder to us all that the Lord is indeed our helper in all things.

Yours in His service,

Mark

Ps. Do pray for Ben Lacey, our new curate, and Steve Holme, in your prayers. They are both due to embark on a retreat of prayer and study at Cliffe College in preparation for their ordinations at the Cathedral next weekend - Steve on Saturday 5th July in the afternoon and Ben on Sunday 6th July in the morning. We’ll have the opportunity to pray with them and celebrate their journey during our Youth Service at the 6pm service on July 13th.

From the Mission Support Group

On Mission Sunday we are exploring the 4th of the marks of mission, namely ‘To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation’. I've always felt that this is one of the harder aspects of our mission to engage with, as the boundaries of what to focus on and who to work with may be less straightforward. Some do this by getting involved in politics, others through their work and career, or by supporting 3rd sector organisations or engaging with church programmes.

As Amos (chap 5, verse 24) says ‘let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream’.

It is our hope and desire that this mission Sunday will give us an opportunity to improve our understanding of justice, the kingdom of heaven, spiritual warfare and how to engage with our society.

But as well as improving our understanding and inspiring our action, we are aware that there are many within the congregations who like to engage more directly with social justice issues. If you feel you might like to meet with others to explore this please mention it to me or Roland so that we can consider how we might deepen and strengthen this vital element of our mission work.

Simon Musgrave

Chair of the Mission Support Group

From the Operations Manager

As we journey through life together, one of the most meaningful ways we live out our faith is through service. Volunteering isn’t just about filling a rota—it’s about being part of something bigger. It’s about community, compassion, and offering our time and gifts to God’s work.

While putting together the recent Ministry and Mission Update, I was struck by the many ways the All Saints family gives their time—welcoming at the door, serving refreshments, strimming grass, making the building look lovely, helping on the sound desk, or simply offering a listening ear. Every act of service matters.

But we can’t do what we do without people. Right now, we have some gaps and would love your help. Whether you enjoy baking, admin, chatting, music, computing, updating databases, taking photos, shopping, or even snow clearing (yes, we’re planning ahead!)—there’s a place for you.

Training and support are always available, and you’ll be part of a warm, welcoming team.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now’s a great time. Do get in touch—or take a look at the Ministry and Mission Update for inspiration!

With every blessing,

Jo Evans

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