Parish News
What Needs Doing - Can you help?
Church Flowers
We aim to have at least one flower arrangement in church each week (except for the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent) - but money for flowers is not taken from general church funds.
If anyone would like to donate an arrangement in memory of a loved one, or for any other reason, please write your name in the 'flowers donated by' box for that week on the Flower Rota (on the board by the door), and give the money to Ann or Jenny. Money towards the cost of flowers can also be placed in the 'flowers' slot in the wall safe.
(As a guide, we usually need to spend about £10 on flowers for the High Altar, and £6 on those at Mary or Joseph, which are smaller although if you want specific flowers they could cost more.)
And a plea for more helpers from Ann
I would like to ask everyone to think hard about helping with the flower arranging
At present it is done by myself and a small band of faithful helpers. I am getting older and find the walking round our large church very tiring, and often feel like giving up completely - which would be a pity as I really enjoy it. It is a pleasant task and if we could have a rota of one more experienced arranger (none of us are experts) and one learner working together it would mean that the same people would not be on duty every week. We could negotiate on times, but of course if the flowers are to be fresh for Sunday, then Friday is a good day.
When it is a special festival then the whole team would work together. Our florist, Jean, would be willing to come and give us some tips if we had a reasonable group.
Please think about this, as I am sure we would all miss having flowers in our church if no-one comes forward to help arrange them.
(If YOU are willing to help with flower arranging, please have a word with Ann, as soon as possible. Thank you, in anticipation)
Church Working Party
On most Wednesdays, we hold a weekly working party to try and tackle some of the everyday jobs that need doing to keep the church and gardens maintained from week to week. We meet from 9.00.a.m. until 12 noon so if you have a spare hour or two we would love to see you.
Free cup of coffee and a biscuit for all comers!
P. S. When we have a Working Party, and after Jumble Sales, we often have bags of rubbish which need taking to the dump. Rather than leave it to one person every time, we could do with a rota of people we can call on. If you have a car, and would be willing to take rubbish to Garth Road from time to time - especially if you could take it during the week - please have a word with Chris.
August Finances
Income: - £2,269.27
Expenditure: - £3,029.65
August is always a quiet month with many people on holiday. Other than our usual monthly expenditure, our outgoings have been low, but we have a final amount to pay on the hall door as soon as it is cleared by the architect. (The necessary repainting was done at the beginning of August)
We hope everyone has been generous in sponsoring the stalwarts who tackle the sponsored walk on Bank Holiday Monday, and that they had good weather.
I have included the quota in the figures, but may pay it later in the month, as our monthly giving still does not cover the quota and we cannot get into the situation we had recently when we were almost in the red.
It doesn't seem possible that the year has gone so quickly and we shall soon be looking towards our Patronal Festival and the Christmas Fair.
I hope everyone managed to have a summer break and some relaxation.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
Ann Wasielewska (Church Treasurer)
Stewardship Renewal
We will be renewing our Stewardship Camapign in September and you are encouraged to read the literature carefully. The campaign will end to coincide with our Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 26th.
Harvest Festival
Our Harvest Thanksgiving will be on Sunday 26th September. The service will be at 11. 00 am.
As in previous years, you are invited to bring tins, packets and other non-perishable goods which, will be given to the Wimbledon Guild who redistribute them to organisations that care for homeless people, individuals and families in need in Merton
Harvest Social - Saturday 25th September
FAMILY QUIZ WITH SUPPER (Shepherds Pie and baked beans or peas, plus a desert)
7.00 - 10.00 pm
Adults: £5 - 00
Children under 13: £2 - 50
The evening will include a raffle - any donations of prizes will be gratefully received.
Please give them, in advance, to Nola, or one of the Churchwardens.
Thank you, in anticipation.
A Date for your Diary - 14th September
On Tuesday 14th September (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross) there will be a special service to mark the creation of the United Benefice, at All Saints' Church, beginning at 8.00.p.m.
At the service, which will be attended by Bishop John and the Archdeacon of Lambeth, Fr. Michael will be licensed as Vicar of the United Benefice of Raynes Park, S. Saviour's and South Wimbledon, All Saints' and Fr. Christopher will be licensed as Curate of the Benefice.
Pleae put the date in your diary and keep it free, as it is hoped that as many of you as possible will be able to attend.
Quiz with Fish 'n Chip Supper
By popular request, we are having another 'Inter Church Quiz with Fish and Chip Supper'
In All Saints Church Hall, Norman Road, SW19 on Saturday 23rd October - 7.30 p.m. start. Tickets will include fish and chips, but please bring your own drinks.
(price of tickets: to be confirmed) *
As in previous years, letters will be sent to the local churches inviting them to enter a team of up to 8 - and we also hope for teams of 8 from All Saints'. It may still seem some way off, but we will need all names and food preferences, plus payment, by 17th October.
(Due to total numbers expected, there will be no admission to those who have not signed the list, and paid up in advance.)
If you don't want to take part in the quiz, you can still give it your support, so keep the evening free, and sign up when the time comes.
[For any who don't like fish, there is the alternative of vegiburger or sausage and chips - provided we know beforehand.]
* as our usual supplier, who gave us a very good deal, has moved away, we have to 'shop around' for an alternative before announcing the price of a ticket
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the date of our 'Inter-Church Quiz Evening with Fish and Chip Supper' had to be changed to Saturday 23rd October.
We realise we have a Jumble Sale earlier in the day, but this should not cause a problem. In fact, it will mean we only have to give up one Saturday to church events, instead of two, and we'll have food supplied in the evening rather than having to go home and cook it after the Jumble Sale - so we trust you will give both events your full support.
Jumble Sale - Saturday 18th September
Many people don't like Jumble Sales - but they are one way of making money for the church, and they cost us nothing to run (apart from a little of our time!).
Our next one will be on Saturday 18th September, and will be open from 12 noon - 2.00 pm.
'Many hands make light work'.
As you know, we need more money to cover all our expenses - so we are appealing for you to help raise it.
We have a lot Jumble in the boiler house, and some in church, which must be cleared - but we could still do with good-quality bric-a-brac.
We need: People to help advertise it beforehand.
Strong people to move boxes - Thursday evening / Friday morning. People to help sort on Friday morning from 10 am
People to finish sorting from 10.30 am on Saturday morning People to sell behind the stalls. People to help clear away afterwards.
Car drivers to take all the rubbish to the dump afterwards.
Please put the date in your diary, and do your bit to make it a success.
Thank you, in anticipation.
(One or two of the regular helpers are unavailable due to previous commitments, but hopefully others will take their place. As you can see from Ann's Financial Report, we need the moneyl I)
Calling all writers!
Please could YOU contribute an item for the All Saints' Monthly News?
Recently, contributions for the magazine have been in very short supply. Please think whether you could write (or give in) something for inclusion in the magazine from time to time - articles, poems, reports, etc.
Contributions from our younger members would also be very welcome.
Several of you are also involved in other groups.
If you have an event coming up, remember to send it in, (in plenty of time!) Free publicity - and even if only one person comes as a result, it must be worth doing it! Copies of the magazine go to our school, and also along to S. Saviour's.
What's on at S. Saviour's
TABLE TOP SALE
St. Saviours' Church Hall, Grand Drive, SW20 on Saturday 11 th September.
10.00 am - 1.00 pm.
Admission: 30p (£1 before 10 am)
To book a table (£5 each), please phone 02085402493
Next parish lunch - Sunday 19th September. 12.30 pm
Members of All Saints' are very welcome to the Parish Lunch - but for catering purposes, (and to ensure a meal is kept if the All Saints' service over-runs!) please phone Ann Fellowes (Tel: 020 83303374) at least 7 days beforehand.
If you ask, Ann will also be able to tell you what is on the menu - and there is always a vegetarian alternative for those who order it in advance.
St. Saviour's Harvest Supper.
Who's the Baby Quiz; Fish / Sausages & Chips; Call My Bluff; Raffle.
on: Saturday 2nd October, starting at 7.00 pm. Admission by pre-booking, with meal choice
(phone Ann - 02083303374 - by Saturday 27th September) Adults £6; children £3 - 50 payable at the door. BYO drinks & cutlery
Walsingham
Visitors to Walsingham almost invariably comment on the peace of this place. They speak of a 'something more' that is hard to put into words. It is because they have entered a mystery too deep for words, yet very real.
We want everyone who stops here to be comfortable, and there is a committed team working at the Shrine intent on making it so. The Bible speaks of the 'God of all comfort', and this really means the God 'who comes alongside us'. The real comfort of Walsingham lies not in the softness of the beds or the satisfaction of a good meal, but in that person we proclaim and who can be experienced here, Jesus. God's love is freely available to all everywhere, but it seems there are places where his nearness is especially evident. Countless pilgrims consider Walsingham to be such a place.
Your stay here will offer you many opportunities to draw close to Christ. At the Shrine of Our lady, we give honour to the one who said Yes to God's plan for her to be the mother of Jesus. She lived her life encouraging others to go to him. She still does, and it must be her hope that you draw near to him during your stay.
Be ready for love. Be ready for joy. And be ready to be changed. No one comes close to Christ, however well they know him, without being changed.
Bp. Lindsay Urwine O.G.S.
Administrator.
Weekend Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Friday 29th - Sunday 31st July 2011
Father Michael will be leading a weekend pilgrimage to Walsingham from 29th - 31st July 2011.
We don't yet know how much the weekend will cost - Walsingham will send us their charges for accommodation towards the end of the year, and to this has to be added the cost of transport - but I hope to make it not more than £ 140 - 00 per person. (This covered transport there and back, and all meals from Friday supper to Sunday tea: 7 meals in all. )
In a lump sum, this may seem a lot to find, but if you put by £3 a week between now and the end of July, you will have saved almost enough to cover it.
It may seem a long way ahead, but I am already taking names - and am happy to receive money at any time - in installments, or a lump sum. (I keep careful records!) We have reserved 25 places, so there should be room for all who would like to go - but I already have several names on the list, so if you are interested in going, please don't leave it too long before you express an interest so your name can be added.
If you would like to find out what the Pilgrimage entails, have a word with Fr. Michael, or with one of those who have been on Pilgrimage before.
Alternatively, you can read the literature at the back of the church, or borrow the Walsingham video.
If you have never been to Walsingham, why not think about going next year.
If you would like your name added to the list, please have a word with Jenny Hardy, (Walsingham Cell Secretary) who is the pilgrimage organiser.
Pensioners Clubs
The All Saints' Club,
run by Gwen & Pauline
The Umbrella Club,
run by Betty & Vera.
They both have spaces at present, and would welcome new members (male or female!) - so if you would like to spend an hour or so in pleasant company with a cup of coffee / tea, a raflle and a few games of Bingo before you go home for just £ 1 a meeting, why not pop along to All Saints' Church Hall and see what you think.
News From All Saints' School
The Autumn Term begins for the children on Monday 6th September, but the staff ended their holidays on September 1st, as they went in for Inset on Thursday and Friday.
As last year, all 30 children entering the Reception Class will start In the Autumn Term - their entry being staggered according to age.
We send our best wishes to all who will be starting at All Saints' this term - both staff and children.