For well over a hundred years there has been an annual recognition of Education Sunday in England and Wales.

It is a national day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education.

The theme is devised by an ecumenical steering group representing different Christian denominations and organisations.

For some years it was celebrated on the ninth Sunday before Easter, however since 2016, after extensive consultation, it has been celebrated on the second Sunday in September, coinciding with the start of the school year.

So we at All Saints’ are celebrating it on the 8th September with a special Family Service at which we will be welcoming Sarah Earnshaw, diocesan children’s work adviser as a guest speaker. – all welcome to join us.

Fairtrade fortnight 25 Feb to 10 March

Did you know that All Saints’ Church is a Fairtrade Church? We use Fairly traded tea, coffee and sugar for our refreshments and we take opportunities to encourage parishioners to consider buying fairly traded goods. For many years we ran a fair trade stall, but with many such products now available in the supermarkets, it was being used less and we decided to close the stall. For a full range of fairly traded goods, why not visit One Planet Fairtrade and ethical shop on Abbey Street, Accrington?

Fairtrade fortnight is a time to celebrate the people who grow our food, some of whom live in the poorest countries in the world, and are often exploited and badly paid. This year the focus is the people (mainly women) who grow the chocolate we love so much. £1.86 is the amount a cocoa farmer in West Africa needs to earn to achieve a living income. Currently a typical cocoa farmer in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p a day – needless to say almost all live in poverty. So please buy Fairtrade – and please join the campaign for all cocoa farmers to earn a living wage.

Why not start by ordering a Real Easter Egg from church now. Quality milk or dark chocolate, fairly traded, and with a 24 page booklet with the Easter story for just £5.50 – sign up at the back of church for yours.

Are you able to  volunteer to be part of a team of Sunday school helpers, either for Altham St James or at All Saints? It is a rewarding role and one that can inspire children on their Christian journey.

Sunday School runs most Sundays during the 11am Service except for Youth and Church Parade Sunday – the second Sunday of the month. However at All Saints’ the Sunday School helper work on a rota system, so you will not be required every Sunday.

Find out more about Sunday School  or about the role ask Adele  (or Sue for Altham), or have a word with the Vicar.

At Altham St James there will be a meeting for those volunteers who are willing to become Sunday School helpers after the morning service on the 10th February.

A group of parishioners from All Saints’ Church has recently started participating in a programme of regular workshops supported by Julie Livesey, Rewilding Coordinator from the Prospects Foundation.
The aim is to undertake small but innovative gardening projects in All Saints’ churchyard and the Vicarage garden. The workshops are open to everyone who is a Hyndburn resident and are particularly appropriate for those living with dementia and social isolation.  No previous gardening experience is required. Tools are provided so those wishing to get involved need only bring waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear and appropriate gloves.
The first workshop took place during the morning of Tuesday 13th November. Seventeen people attended this highly successful inaugural event. Feeding, weeding and tidying of the flower beds to the front of church was completed in just over an hour. Prospects Foundation funded the feed for the flower beds and provided the gardening tools. All participants were able to enjoy delicious vegetable soup and assorted bread rolls along with hot and cold drinks in church afterwards.
John and Penny Rowbottom led the team in carrying out refurbishment work to the All Saints’ Church Garden of Remembrance in early December. This renovation was carried out in memory of long-standing parishioner and All Saints’ Church Choir Member Keith Lomax who passed away recently. New top soil was laid along with the planting of shrubs and flowers. The cross was thoroughly cleaned.
The next gardening club workshop is booked for Tuesday 21st May 2019 at 11.00am with free lunch at 12.30pm. We shall be planting flowers.
Please contact David Woodcock or John Rowbottom if you would like to attend the May 2019 workshop or if you would just like to register a general interest in this creative new project.

David Woodcock