Ash Wednesday 6th March

On this day  we are confronted with our sinfulness and called to turn away from sin and trust in Jesus our Saviour.
All are encouraged to keep this as a day of prayer and abstinence.
You are invited to Church on this day to begin Lent together. Holy Communion at All Saints’  is at 10am and Holy Communion with hymns at St James’ Altham at 7:30pm. At both services those who wish are invited to receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their forehead.

How can we grow in faith during Lent?

Lent.

A time of year when nature wakes up from its winter slumbers as the days lengthen (the origin of the word lent) and the plants begin to grow.  And a time when we as Christians can cast off our slumbers and grow in our faith, discipleship and care for others and the planet.

 

 

Through Lent we offer

SMALL GROUPS 

Where you can meet with others and get to know them better as we look together at the bible, discuss our faith, air our questions and our experiences – all to help that process of growth! This year our groups will be looking at what we believe through exploring our creed – I believe in God…in his Son Jesus Christ….in the Holy Spirit. When did you last think about what you say when we recite the creed?

 

 

Groups will be held
Mondays at 44 Lodgeside – begins 4th March at 7:15pm
Wednesdays in Church – begins 6th March at 11:15am
Wednesdays at 445 Whalley Road – begins 20th March at 7:30pm
Thursdays at  61 Tarn Avenue – begins 7th march at 7:30pm
Sign up at the back of church and we’ll make sure there’s a book for you.

LENT LUNCH – a time to share together over a simple meal of soup and bread, Wednesday lunchtimes 12:30, beginning on the 13th March. Donations to Christian Aid.

 

EARLY COMMUNION – a chance to get up early to meet with Jesus each Tuesday morning in Lent 7:45 – 8:15am.

Lent is also a time to

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Both giving something up and giving to others help us become more appreciative of all we have.
Christian Aid’s Count Your Blessings booklets give a reflection for each day, learning from the experiences of those who live at the sharp end of climate change. There are challenges for prayer and action and a space to make a note of what you wish to contribute for that day. At the end of Lent, tot up the sum and send it to Christian Aid.

Charity Savings Jar

Annual Parochial Church meeting

This Sunday 28th April at 11:00am.There will be a short service first.

Please support this and find out what is going on, how it affects you and what we need to do to ensure the church is still prominent in Clayton in future generations.

Thank you.

Congratulations Revd Lesley Hinchcliffe

Exciting news

Reverend Lesley Hinchcliffe has been appointed as the next vicar of Fence-in-Pendle and Higham.

Lesley, who worshipped for many years at All Saints’ Church and made such a big contribution to the life of our parishes, was ordained in 2016 and is assistant curate of St Peter’s Salesbury. Once her curacy has been completed she will take up her new role, on a half-time basis.

Sharing the news of her appointment, Lesley said, “This is such a wonderful blessing – there is no ageism with God! I’m 62 and I about to start another amazing adventure with Him!”

Welcoming the news, Revd Toby said, “What great news! Please pray for Lesley as she prepares to become vicar of her own parishes – may God richly bless her and her ministry.”

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Fairtrade fortnight -25th February to 10th March

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.

Ladies evening

All Saints’ Church is hosting a ladies’ film and prosecco night on Friday 22nd March

The film will be ‘ Mama Mia ‘Here we go again’. if you are interested come at
7.30pm for Prosecco. the film will begin at  7.45pm.

The cost is  a very reasonable £5.00 per person

 

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Come to our Thanksgiving Service for Marriage & Family

As we approach Valentine’s Day what better time is there to celebrate Marriage and Family life.

Why not join us in a thanksgiving service in Sunday February 17th at 6:30pm in All Saints’ Church?

February ‘Saints & Angels’ Newsletter

You can view February’s  ‘Saints & Angels’ here

Feb 19 Page 1 Feb 19 Page 2 Feb 19 Page 3 Feb 19 Page 4

Alternatively, should you wish to have a hard copy, they are now available from Church.

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Sunday School helpers wanted

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.

Revd Toby’s February newsletter

One of the most exciting aspects of ministry is marrying people! It is such a privilege to guide a couple through as they make their marriage vows and to pray for God’s blessing on them on behalf of the church. Young couples and not so young, those just setting out and those who have been together for years and already have a family together, big weddings with over a hundred guests, to small gatherings of only 15 or so people. All are special as all include those same promises to ‘have and to hold, to love and to cherish, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; ‘til death us to part.’
Recently we had our wedding preparation Saturday – something that we hold early in January each year. As well as talking about hymns, music, etc, it gives couples a bit of space to think about their relationship and the meaning of the marriage they are about to enter. If marriage is for life, as we believe it is, then it is worth investing in, at the beginning (to lay good foundations) and all along (to keep building a strong, loving and life-giving partnership).

Perhaps you’re thinking of marriage? Perhaps you might be amongst those at the wedding Saturday in January 2020 – or thinking about a date sooner than that? Why not get in touch about marrying in All Saints’ or St James’ Churches? It doesn’t need to cost the earth. The fees normally come to £599 (including having an organist to play) but in exceptional circumstances fees can be reduced – we wouldn’t want anyone not to marry because they couldn’t afford the fees.

And just after Valentine’s Day – on Sunday 17th February at 6:30pm in All Saints’ Church – we’re having a service of prayer and worship. Whether you’re married, single, widowed, or divorced, you will be very welcome as we give thanks to God for the gifts of love and marriage and pray for his blessing on marriage and family life.

With every blessing
Toby