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
What do you want for Christmas?
Our family has a WhatsApp group and someone, as we get nearer Christmas, sets the ball rolling and asks for a list. I always seem to put the question on hold because, although it is a real joy, it is also a struggle - trying to think. Do you really want anyone (least of all the children) spending their hard-earned money on something you will never use? John Betjemen reflected that in one of his poems when he listed dodgy Christms presents - 'bath salts and inexpensive scent, and hideous tie so kindly meant'. It's great when someone hits the target with the right present, but if you are like me, the problem is we don't really know what the target is.
Children do lists for Santa, but that soon passes and reverts, during teenage years to Mum and Dad, in desperation, giving money. But what do you want, now you are older?
It's not particularly saintly, but maybe the most important thing is that we want the giver to be happy with the gift they have given. So perhaps we do have a real obligation to help them out, to tell them what we would like, so that they can know, without a lottery, that it is going to be a welcome gift.
But then, how wonderful when you get a really great gift which is not on your list, something you would never thought of - a gift that changes the way you think and do things - a gift where someone has seen what you actually need - even though you didn't realise you needed it! Does that resonate with anyone?
For most of us, I guess, giving and receiving gifts is about needing to know that we are remembered and loved, and that those whom we love, need us to love them too. That's human nature isn't it? So maybe it doesn't really matter what the gift is, it's the thought and love that comes with it that counts...so long as I don't have to wear that 'hideous tie so kindly meant'!
We give presents as a reminder of God giving himself in Jesus at Christmas 2000 years ago, and maybe God also says the words 'Most of all I want to know that I am loved and that those whom I love need me to love them too'.
Loving one another, loving God and God loving us is THE gift. The Bethlehem baby is LOVE in big letters, made human. That love is what the world needed then, and is just as needed now - even if we don't realise we need it. After all: 'ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE'.
I hope you will come to church some time over Christmas and celebrate Love made human, in Jesus.
Best wishes
Revd Adrian Low
Church of England priest for the villages of Haversham, Little Linford, Tyringham, Filgrave and Emberton.
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE NEW LAMP GROUP WEBSITE!
All Saints' church is open all day and you are welcome to visit.
Please use the hand sanitiser provided at various points throughout the church, and keep your distance from others. You may scan the QR code when entering the building, or sign in for Track & Trace.
Sunday 23rd January
11:00am Café Church
A return of this popular informal service
Sunday 30th January
9.30am LAMP Group service at Tyringham with Filgrave
Sunday 6th February
6.00pm Something Else on Sunday
(continuing with the TEAR FUND climate films)
Sunday 13th February
11:00am Holy Communion
Other events you might like to come to
Science and Christian faith
Weekly Wednesday evenings 7.30pm for 6-8 weeks from Weds 19th January. Led by Adrian. Sessions are stand alone, so come to a few or come to them all. To be held at All Saints.
Watch a Bible book
Reading a whole book is the best way to appreciate its message. But it’s not easy to do always! This DVD is a film of the Acts of the Apostles based on the complete NIV scripture. It's 193 mins, so will be split into 3 fortnightly sessions on Mondays 24th January, 7th February, 21st February. Starting at 7.30pm at All Saints.
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. The service will be followed by drinks in the gathering area.
2nd Sunday
11.00am Holy Communion
A Sung Communion Service using modern liturgy. The children meet in the Institute for Children's Church.
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. This will make the Church much safer and easier to use for services and other events. They are made from oak and brass, which sympathetically blends with the church furnishings. We must thank the Friends of All Saints and two private donors for making this essential work possible.
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 Institute on the 2nd Sunday each month at 11.00am 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
