ONLINE NEWS
Services
For information on our services please visit our worship page
Church opening times this week:
Monday 11.00 - 14.00
Tuesday 10.00 - 13.00
Wednesday CHURCH CLOSED for organ tune
Thursday 10.00 - 13.00
Friday 10.00 - 13.00
Saturday 10.00 - 13.00
Monday Lunchtime Concert 1.10pm
Restarting on 9 January 2023
2022 Christmas Lights switch on
A big thank you to everyone who helped to make last Thursday evening such a success. From preparing and lighting up the church, baking, serving refreshments and greeting visitors to the joy of the Christingle trail. It was clear to see how much everyone appreciated the welcome and hospitality and it couldn’t have happened without you. We are really looking forward to journeying through Advent and celebrating Christmas with our All Saints family. Jenny & Lis, Churchwardens
All Saints Day responses
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far to the Being All Saints appeal for extra help. The increases will cover about 1/3 of the reductions from those who have moved or are in financial difficulty and the 1-off donations will help reduce this year's deficit. If you haven't replied yet, please do prayerfully review if you are able to help more. Your generosity really does make a difference in enabling All Saints to serve this community.
Anointing during Advent
After a long break we are able to offer anointing at the Parish Eucharist during Advent. As before, this will take place during Communion towards the back of the church. It’s an opportunity to bring concerns to God and to be anointed for healing for yourself or another person. There is no need to say what the concern is, but of course you are welcome to if you wish.
Stir Up Sunday Mincemeat
A massive thankyou to everyone who helped to stir the ingredients for the special Christmas mincemeat last Sunday. The mixture has gone off to our festive Christmas kitchen to be cooked and put into jars. It will be ready for sale at the Christmas Craft Fayre next Saturday (3/12).
Craft Fayre
Still time to ... bake cakes; bring in Christmas themed items for the Tombola; tell your friends and family; sign up to volunteer your time (list at the back of church). And then... come to the Fayre to buy your Christmas presents from the many different craft stalls; listen to the choir singing and handbells ringing; stay for coffee/lunch/tea and help to make this a fabulous event to start off the festive season. We'll look forward to seeing you next Saturday! Helen & Jacqui
Christmas Sparkle - Friday 16 December 7.30pm
Tickets (£15 each) will be on sale on Sundays, and will be available from the Mustard Seed Café during the week. Lis & Thistle
2022 Christmas Tree Festival 16 - 23 December
This event is fast approaching, and we would really appreciate your help! Many hands make light work and there are various sign-up sheets by the south porch door for you to review and sign – details below. Thank you.
Lis & Thistle
Cakes & treats – Once you have baked for the Christmas Fayre, we would love to hear from anyone who can bake cakes or other festive treats to sell in the cafe which will be open throughout the festival.
Tree set up – we would welcome help from those who are able, to position the 30 trees within the church between 10.30 – 12.30 on Thursday 15 December. Don’t forget your gloves for needle protection!
Festival stewards – Giving just an hour or two of your time to welcome visitors and/or serve refreshments will really help to make this another successful event
Lis and Thistle
Advent book recommendations
Our ministry team are offering suggestions for books you may like to read during the Advent season:
Sleepers Wake: Getting Serious About Climate Change: The Archbishop of York's Advent Book 2022 by Nicholas Holtam
Split into four sections for the four weeks of Advent, these practical suggestions and reflective meditations about climate change and the environment are set alongside beautiful fine art paintings relevant to the season.
Haphazard by Starlight - A Poem a Day from Advent to Epiphany by Janet Morley
Poems by a wide range of authors; each is followed by a brief, thoughtful commentary ending with a question to think about.
The Art of Advent by Jane Williams
A painting a day! This beautiful book describes and interprets a series of paintings for each day of Advent.
Do Nothing... Christmas is Coming: An Advent Calendar with a Difference by Stephen Cottrell
This is a straightforward and helpful little book, with a reflection for every day of Advent to help us slow down and resist the pressures of the Christmas build-up.
We will also be offering each child the book ‘God became like me?’ retelling why Jesus came, and the Church of England Christmastide reflections, ‘Follow the Star’.
Financial Support - to enable our work to continue.
For BACS details & online donations, please visit our Support page: https://www.allsaintshighwycombe.org/donate.html. For cash or cheques, if you are a tax payer, then please fill in a yellow Gift Aid envelope (which increases your donation by 25%). Cheques can be also sent via the Parish office. For more information, please contact John Lord (jlord11@sky.com, 07733001787).
SmAll Saints on Fridays!
We welcome families with babies, toddlers, and / or preschoolers from 10am on Fridays where you can expect adult refreshments during the free play session, snacks for the young ones, story, craft, singing, and much more! There is no charge, but kind donations, while not expected, are always welcome. For further information, please contact Robyn on robynatallsaints@gmail.com.
Repair Café
All Saints Church hosts High Wycombe Repair Café on the 2nd Saturday of every month, from 10am with last repairs at 12:30, alongside the church’s Mustard Seed Cafe. Repair Cafes are a place to get free support with repairing items which might otherwise go to landfill, or not be used fully. Volunteer repairers bring knowledge and skills in areas such as clothing, furniture, ceramics, clocks, electrical appliances, and toys.
Art space
You will see that there is some artwork on the display boards near the sofas in church. This month it has been provided by the Women’s Cultural Arena. The plan is that different groups and individuals can use this space to display artwork, changing every month. I have had offers of work from local schools, groups, and individuals and am drawing together a rota. If you would like to be included, or know of a person or organisation that would, please contact me via the office: office@allsaintshighwycombe.org / 01494 527526. Thistle Martin
Ukrainian refugees
For those of you who are involved with welcoming and hosting Ukrainian refugees, All Saints has joined the Welcome Churches network. They have set up a new website: ukrainewelcome.org. If you would like a copy of the following resources, please contact the church office: 01494 527526 or office@allsaintshighwycombe.org
· Ukraine Welcomer training - Slides for delegates
· Useful information on Ukraine
· Tips to help Ukrainian guests feel welcome.
Fairtrade Church
As you will see from the new poster in church, we are now officially a Fairtrade church. This means that we are using Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar, and that some of the food we serve is also Fairtrade.
Women's Cultural Arena
Just a reminder that the WCA meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in All Saints from 10am. Come along for Biscuits and Banter.
Conversation Café wants to help English as a Foreign Language students a safe and stress free space to practice their English. As anyone learning a foreign language knows, it’s easy to find lessons, but not so easy to find people to practice with. People who are patient; people who listen; people who care. That is the goal of Conversation Café. We meet on Thursdays just off the café space to welcome people needing to practice their English. It runs from 11:45-1pm. Do you know someone who needs to work on their English? Are you a patient, caring, and listening person who can give 30 minutes to help someone? Let me know. Email Laurie . Prayer support is also gratefully welcomed and needed!
All Saints Plus
Tuesdays at 8pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3507005392?pwd=TklVNlZncTkxc3A5cFZYT1lCalZzUT09
Meeting ID: 350 700 5392
Passcode: 328562
This is a weekly opportunity to get together online and explore the gospel set for the following Sunday. We’ll study the passage and consider what it means for us – and you don’t need any experience or knowledge to join in! Then there will be time to catch up about all that’s going on in our community and we’ll end with a short time of prayer. Join us on Zoom from 8-9pm every Tuesday. You don’t need to commit to joining every week, but we’d love to see a regular group build up to explore our faith together.
Bellringing
After a long period of inactivity owing to Covid restrictions, the bellringers are back to a more normal pattern of service ringing and practices. A couple have moved away during the lockdown period and our numbers are now lower than we would like. We have rung eight bells on a couple of occasions recently but, with a total of 14 bells in the tower, we could do with a few more ringers to enable more of our bells to be rung. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to learn to ring, or from any “lapsed” ringers, or from any ringers who have moved into the area and would be interested in continuing this rewarding activity. If you fall into any of these categories, or know someone who does, please contact Tricia Newton at high-wycombe@ebsb.odg.org.uk or via the church office. A warm welcome awaits you!
Keeping in contact - The Shared Leadership Team want to make sure that no one feels isolated in our church community. If you feel you would like to be included in our “All Saints by Phone” buddy system, or if you are concerned about someone else, please contact the office: office@allsaintshighwycombe.org / 01494 527526
Our Lockdown Cookbook - copies still available! - The Cookbook contains recipes that our congregation have a special fondness for. Copies are available for the bargain price of £5 and the total cost of the book goes to support All Saints’ Church thanks to a generous donation that meets the costs of production. You can order copies here or via email
Fundraising at home – As All Saints continues to play a significant part in the life of the town and its people, Estelle has been thinking of ways we can all help to raise funds for the restoration work. She has suggested that we take time to think and pray about how we can help. Maybe you can talk to friends, colleagues and neighbours, or approach a company or trust. We could all choose a jar or small box and fill it with cash over the next weeks/months. When it is full the jar (sanitised) can be brought into church. Friends and family could join in too – every little helps!
Fundraising while shopping - For those who shop on Amazon, please consider switching to AmazonSmile here and Amazon will donate to The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of High Wycombe All Saints, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is also available in the Amazon Shopping App for customers using supported Android devices.
For information on our services please visit our worship page
Church opening times this week:
Monday 11.00 - 14.00
Tuesday 10.00 - 13.00
Wednesday CHURCH CLOSED for organ tune
Thursday 10.00 - 13.00
Friday 10.00 - 13.00
Saturday 10.00 - 13.00
Monday Lunchtime Concert 1.10pm
Restarting on 9 January 2023
2022 Christmas Lights switch on
A big thank you to everyone who helped to make last Thursday evening such a success. From preparing and lighting up the church, baking, serving refreshments and greeting visitors to the joy of the Christingle trail. It was clear to see how much everyone appreciated the welcome and hospitality and it couldn’t have happened without you. We are really looking forward to journeying through Advent and celebrating Christmas with our All Saints family. Jenny & Lis, Churchwardens
All Saints Day responses
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far to the Being All Saints appeal for extra help. The increases will cover about 1/3 of the reductions from those who have moved or are in financial difficulty and the 1-off donations will help reduce this year's deficit. If you haven't replied yet, please do prayerfully review if you are able to help more. Your generosity really does make a difference in enabling All Saints to serve this community.
Anointing during Advent
After a long break we are able to offer anointing at the Parish Eucharist during Advent. As before, this will take place during Communion towards the back of the church. It’s an opportunity to bring concerns to God and to be anointed for healing for yourself or another person. There is no need to say what the concern is, but of course you are welcome to if you wish.
Stir Up Sunday Mincemeat
A massive thankyou to everyone who helped to stir the ingredients for the special Christmas mincemeat last Sunday. The mixture has gone off to our festive Christmas kitchen to be cooked and put into jars. It will be ready for sale at the Christmas Craft Fayre next Saturday (3/12).
Craft Fayre
Still time to ... bake cakes; bring in Christmas themed items for the Tombola; tell your friends and family; sign up to volunteer your time (list at the back of church). And then... come to the Fayre to buy your Christmas presents from the many different craft stalls; listen to the choir singing and handbells ringing; stay for coffee/lunch/tea and help to make this a fabulous event to start off the festive season. We'll look forward to seeing you next Saturday! Helen & Jacqui
Christmas Sparkle - Friday 16 December 7.30pm
Tickets (£15 each) will be on sale on Sundays, and will be available from the Mustard Seed Café during the week. Lis & Thistle
2022 Christmas Tree Festival 16 - 23 December
This event is fast approaching, and we would really appreciate your help! Many hands make light work and there are various sign-up sheets by the south porch door for you to review and sign – details below. Thank you.
Lis & Thistle
Cakes & treats – Once you have baked for the Christmas Fayre, we would love to hear from anyone who can bake cakes or other festive treats to sell in the cafe which will be open throughout the festival.
Tree set up – we would welcome help from those who are able, to position the 30 trees within the church between 10.30 – 12.30 on Thursday 15 December. Don’t forget your gloves for needle protection!
Festival stewards – Giving just an hour or two of your time to welcome visitors and/or serve refreshments will really help to make this another successful event
Lis and Thistle
Advent book recommendations
Our ministry team are offering suggestions for books you may like to read during the Advent season:
Sleepers Wake: Getting Serious About Climate Change: The Archbishop of York's Advent Book 2022 by Nicholas Holtam
Split into four sections for the four weeks of Advent, these practical suggestions and reflective meditations about climate change and the environment are set alongside beautiful fine art paintings relevant to the season.
Haphazard by Starlight - A Poem a Day from Advent to Epiphany by Janet Morley
Poems by a wide range of authors; each is followed by a brief, thoughtful commentary ending with a question to think about.
The Art of Advent by Jane Williams
A painting a day! This beautiful book describes and interprets a series of paintings for each day of Advent.
Do Nothing... Christmas is Coming: An Advent Calendar with a Difference by Stephen Cottrell
This is a straightforward and helpful little book, with a reflection for every day of Advent to help us slow down and resist the pressures of the Christmas build-up.
We will also be offering each child the book ‘God became like me?’ retelling why Jesus came, and the Church of England Christmastide reflections, ‘Follow the Star’.
Financial Support - to enable our work to continue.
For BACS details & online donations, please visit our Support page: https://www.allsaintshighwycombe.org/donate.html. For cash or cheques, if you are a tax payer, then please fill in a yellow Gift Aid envelope (which increases your donation by 25%). Cheques can be also sent via the Parish office. For more information, please contact John Lord (jlord11@sky.com, 07733001787).
SmAll Saints on Fridays!
We welcome families with babies, toddlers, and / or preschoolers from 10am on Fridays where you can expect adult refreshments during the free play session, snacks for the young ones, story, craft, singing, and much more! There is no charge, but kind donations, while not expected, are always welcome. For further information, please contact Robyn on robynatallsaints@gmail.com.
Repair Café
All Saints Church hosts High Wycombe Repair Café on the 2nd Saturday of every month, from 10am with last repairs at 12:30, alongside the church’s Mustard Seed Cafe. Repair Cafes are a place to get free support with repairing items which might otherwise go to landfill, or not be used fully. Volunteer repairers bring knowledge and skills in areas such as clothing, furniture, ceramics, clocks, electrical appliances, and toys.
Art space
You will see that there is some artwork on the display boards near the sofas in church. This month it has been provided by the Women’s Cultural Arena. The plan is that different groups and individuals can use this space to display artwork, changing every month. I have had offers of work from local schools, groups, and individuals and am drawing together a rota. If you would like to be included, or know of a person or organisation that would, please contact me via the office: office@allsaintshighwycombe.org / 01494 527526. Thistle Martin
Ukrainian refugees
For those of you who are involved with welcoming and hosting Ukrainian refugees, All Saints has joined the Welcome Churches network. They have set up a new website: ukrainewelcome.org. If you would like a copy of the following resources, please contact the church office: 01494 527526 or office@allsaintshighwycombe.org
· Ukraine Welcomer training - Slides for delegates
· Useful information on Ukraine
· Tips to help Ukrainian guests feel welcome.
Fairtrade Church
As you will see from the new poster in church, we are now officially a Fairtrade church. This means that we are using Fairtrade tea, coffee, and sugar, and that some of the food we serve is also Fairtrade.
Women's Cultural Arena
Just a reminder that the WCA meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in All Saints from 10am. Come along for Biscuits and Banter.
Conversation Café wants to help English as a Foreign Language students a safe and stress free space to practice their English. As anyone learning a foreign language knows, it’s easy to find lessons, but not so easy to find people to practice with. People who are patient; people who listen; people who care. That is the goal of Conversation Café. We meet on Thursdays just off the café space to welcome people needing to practice their English. It runs from 11:45-1pm. Do you know someone who needs to work on their English? Are you a patient, caring, and listening person who can give 30 minutes to help someone? Let me know. Email Laurie . Prayer support is also gratefully welcomed and needed!
All Saints Plus
Tuesdays at 8pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3507005392?pwd=TklVNlZncTkxc3A5cFZYT1lCalZzUT09
Meeting ID: 350 700 5392
Passcode: 328562
This is a weekly opportunity to get together online and explore the gospel set for the following Sunday. We’ll study the passage and consider what it means for us – and you don’t need any experience or knowledge to join in! Then there will be time to catch up about all that’s going on in our community and we’ll end with a short time of prayer. Join us on Zoom from 8-9pm every Tuesday. You don’t need to commit to joining every week, but we’d love to see a regular group build up to explore our faith together.
Bellringing
After a long period of inactivity owing to Covid restrictions, the bellringers are back to a more normal pattern of service ringing and practices. A couple have moved away during the lockdown period and our numbers are now lower than we would like. We have rung eight bells on a couple of occasions recently but, with a total of 14 bells in the tower, we could do with a few more ringers to enable more of our bells to be rung. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to learn to ring, or from any “lapsed” ringers, or from any ringers who have moved into the area and would be interested in continuing this rewarding activity. If you fall into any of these categories, or know someone who does, please contact Tricia Newton at high-wycombe@ebsb.odg.org.uk or via the church office. A warm welcome awaits you!
Keeping in contact - The Shared Leadership Team want to make sure that no one feels isolated in our church community. If you feel you would like to be included in our “All Saints by Phone” buddy system, or if you are concerned about someone else, please contact the office: office@allsaintshighwycombe.org / 01494 527526
Our Lockdown Cookbook - copies still available! - The Cookbook contains recipes that our congregation have a special fondness for. Copies are available for the bargain price of £5 and the total cost of the book goes to support All Saints’ Church thanks to a generous donation that meets the costs of production. You can order copies here or via email
Fundraising at home – As All Saints continues to play a significant part in the life of the town and its people, Estelle has been thinking of ways we can all help to raise funds for the restoration work. She has suggested that we take time to think and pray about how we can help. Maybe you can talk to friends, colleagues and neighbours, or approach a company or trust. We could all choose a jar or small box and fill it with cash over the next weeks/months. When it is full the jar (sanitised) can be brought into church. Friends and family could join in too – every little helps!
Fundraising while shopping - For those who shop on Amazon, please consider switching to AmazonSmile here and Amazon will donate to The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of High Wycombe All Saints, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is also available in the Amazon Shopping App for customers using supported Android devices.