Do you have any of the following items which you do not want?
OR
can you gift any of the following NEW items
If so please leave at 71 Sparth Road or in church.
Thank you.
The new style Benefice magazine was been launched this weekend. It has a more modern and hopefully appealing look. It will be available free in church and from various locations in Clayton and also on this website.
Why not take a look at it now.
January can seem a bleak month, devoid of the colour, decorations and jollity of December (and with bank balances ofte
n feeling the pinch.) But it continues to be a season of joy and celebration in church. The season of Epiphany reminds us that Jesus came not simply to be king of the Jews, but as Saviour of the World. It begins with Epiphany itself, when we find the wise men from far off lands are drawn by the star, and by their searching of the scriptures, to the Christ child in Bethlehem. It ends with celebrating another biblical scene, that of Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord and make the appropriate sacrifices. It is whilst the Holy Family are in the Temple that two aged saints, Simeon and January can seem a bleak month, devoid of the colour, decorations and jollity of December (and with bank balances often feeling the pinch.) But it continues to be a season of joy and celebration in church. The season of Epiphany reminds us that Jesus came not simply to be king of the Jews, but as Saviour of the World. It begins with Epiphany itself, when we find the wise men from far off lands are drawn by the star, and by their searching of the scriptures, to the Christ child in Bethlehem. It ends with celebrating another biblical scene, that of Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord and make the appropriate sacrifices. It is whilst the Holy Family are in the Temple that two aged saints, Simeon and Anna, are inspired to recognise Jesus as the long-awaited saviour. And Simeon utters the words immortalised in the service of Evensong ‘A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.’ Jesus came not just for the devoutly holy and watchful, like Simeon and Anna, but for you and for me, wherever we are and whatever our circumstances.
Next time you’re in All Saints’ Church why not look at the window portraying this scene – you’ll find it set in the left hand wall. It portrays the intense focus of the old man on the baby Jesus, as he holds him in his hands. Simeon is now content to die in peace, having not just seen but held the Saviour. As you journey into the rest of 2019, with all its uncertainties, why not do so in the company of Jesus Christ, and find in him light and peace and the hope of glory?
May God bless you and yours throughout this new year,
Toby
This year the Epiphany falls exactly on a Sunday. During our services on the 6th January we will be launching our new look colour Benefice newsletter – ‘Saints & Angels’ which will replace the current magazine.
The Church relies on volunteers to help keep it clean and tidy. Although volunteers do cleaning tasks weekly, we are aiming to give the church a good ‘spring’ clean about every six weeks. There are a variety of tasks to do – from sweeping to mopping; dusting & polishing and of course the more volunteers there are the quicker the jobs get done.
Please you can give an hour of your time to help. The Church is open for cleaning at 10:00am.
Thank you.
Benefice Service is at All Saints. No 8:00am service and no 9:30 service at Altham St James.
On 24th December at 4:00 pm in All Saint’s Church. The perfect way to begin Christmas.
No 8am service and no 11 am service at All Saints.
No 9:30 service at Altham St James – but there is Seasonal Band Music at 3:30pm followed by 9 lessons & carols.
Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and have time to reflect on it’s true meaning. Why not come along to Advent reflection time on Thursday evenings between 7:30- 8:30 pm. In church. this year we are reflecting on the Christmas message through the words in carols.
All welcome.
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