All Saints' Church Emberton
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
Having just left university in 1979 I got a job in Westminster. It was and still is a lively place to work. I could pop out for lunch by the Thames, or sit in St James' Park or, on one invited occasion, eat posh in the cafeteria of the Palace of Westminster.
A most memorable moment, there, was when some foreign prince or president arrived at Victoria Station and a horse-drawn carriage was to carry the Queen and dignitary through Westminster to Buckingham Palace. I skipped off work and stood alone (yes alone!) along a wide expanse of road with temporary railings and a policeman keeping a beady eye on me.
Eventually along came the carriage. Still alone on my stretch of road, as they passed I thought I should do something, so I meekly shouted 'Hurrah'. The Queen turned. She looked at me, smiled and waved. I waved vback - enthusiastically. That was my regal moment.
There has been , for as long as I can remember, a Christian faith element in the Christmas Day message of the Queen to the Commonweath. Over my life she has provided counsel to prime ministers and others - much of it will have been profoundly wise simply because she has had such a wide experience of political leaders, and seen different flavours of government come and go. Underpinning her thinking and actions has been a determination to base her life, ethics, discipline and service on the life of Jesus Christ. Having said that, even popes, archbishops and queens don't always claim to get that right all the time, but that's no reason not to try.
I want to keep that kind of leadership. Truth decency, love and compannion are such fragile things as is exhibited, sadly, in the abuse of the public by politically driven media across the globe. Nearer home if politicans or monarchs ever count honesty to be a weakness, or truth to be optional we are on a slippery slope to a broken and corrupt society. It may be a cliche, but we really do need leaders we can look up to, who can be role models of service, goodness and grace.
God bless Queen Elizabeth II in her jubilee, and may she and her successors continue to wave, kindly, at some lone youth standing by the side of the road who wants democracy upheld, peace maintained, love for each other, and for the environment - all of that at the centre of our nation's life, and, most of all, truth and honesty in our leaders.
Adrian Low
Church of England priest for the villages of Emberton, Tyringham and Filgrave, Little Linford and Haversham.
Phone: 07883 717642 http://www.thelampchurches.com
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE NEW LAMP GROUP WEBSITE!
All Saints' church is open during the day and you are welcome to visit.
Sunday 26th June
11:00am Parish Praise
Sunday 3rd July
6:00pm Something Else on Sunday
Sunday 10th July
11:00am Holy Communion
Sunday 17th July
6:00pm Evensong (among the paintings at the Art Exhibition)
Other events you might like to come to
Monthly Lunches
Following on from our very successful Lent Lunches (raising a magnificent £1,000 for Ukraine), we will be starting to hold lunches in the church on the first Thursday of each month. The first date is Thursday 7th July.
Bloomin' Awkward Questions
Another series of talks by Adrian, now scheduled for September in Emberton. The sessions will start in the Bell & Bear.
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 during the winter, and churchyard during the summer. All are very welcome.
OTHER CHURCHES
9:00am A service is available on the Church of England website and Facebook page. You can join in online and there is a downloadable service sheet to enable you to take part.
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
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.
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 Parish Praise / Café Church
A Family Service with short talk suitable for all ages, followed by coffee and biscuits. Parish Praise will usually alternate with Café Church on alternate months.
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 Building
Hand rails have now been installed at the Chancel steps, on the ramp leading to the toilet door, and also on the pulpit steps. 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
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: Warwick Clarke 01234 713174
PCC Members: Louise Cook, Candy Godber, Bill Moody, Hilary Proud, Libby Wemyss
Safeguarding Policy
All Saints' operates a Safeguarding Policy, promoting a safer church. Click here for a copy of the Parish Safeguarding Policy.
General Data Protection Regulations
Please click on this link for the All Saints' Interim Privacy Notice
For up to date news: www.facebook.com/AllSaintsChurchEmberton
