The part of the Carol Service most looked forward to is always the children’s involvement. Sheila Beswick was off duty for the first time in 20 years. Thanks are extended to her for all her sterling work in organising the Nativity part for so long – finding children, singers, costumes – and liaising on the script.

So what were we to do without her? Our Me, You and Breakfast 2 children (and their Mums and Dads) turned up trumps. The Carol service this year was all about the journeys made – by Mary and Joseph, by the shepherds and the animals, and the Wise men – plus angels from on high. So there was much ‘journeying’ around the church. We appealed for people to come in costume and take part – or as carol singers to lead the singing. We almost had a massed choir! Certainly enough for four part harmony… And Ellie Sharp was on hand to lead the singing of Away in a Manger, with the first verse solo. Well done, Ellie.

Another innovation was to have the children dress the tree before the service started, and with copious ‘audience’ participation, it all worked well. Finishing with mince pies and mulled wine, of course. And Sheila didn’t get away jobless, she was on hand to hand out costumes and help the children dress up! Some photos here.

Our third biennial workshop in the new Village Hall was just as much a success as the previous ones. It was a very happy sociable occasion, starting with coffee and homemade biscuits, then a demonstration by Christine. A break for lunch with a choice of fish pie or cottage pie, followed by coffee and really yummy mince pies (with an almond crumble top  – thank you so much, Sharon! – was swiftly followed by 20 ladies working hard on their own creations.

Lots of new people on board this time (but it is a joy to have faithful returning attendees!) – and a very healthy Woolpit contingent. Christine Lambert worked so hard to help everyone; she also demonstrated two very different wreaths and promptly gave us both to raffle. She is amazing and we are very grateful. Check out the photos

Me, You and Breakfast 2 in December was all about Christingle. Ruth talked us through the meaning of the Christingle, then we all made our own. We wrote prayers on Christingle shapes, carefully lit our Christingles and had a jolly good sing! No breakfast this month but we made up for it with doughnuts (round like the Christingle, with red (jam) in the middle like the blood shed by Jesus), choc chip brioche and loads of different cakes. See how it went! Photos

All Saints 2017 Christmas Coffee Morning took place on Wednesday 29th November at Rookery Farm, courtesy of Janet and Steve, who had moved there in the last couple of years and were in the process of putting their stamp on the old house.
It was a cold day, with lots of sleet just as people were arriving. Our lovely host Steve, popped down the Village Hall car park where people were leaving their cars and ferried people up to the house. What a gentleman! Inside the house, it was warm and cosy, and fully decorated for Christmas by our equally lovely hostess, Janet. What a wonderful start to the festive season! Gifts and goodies, decorations, all manner of cakes, raffles, a quiz, fantastic refreshments all contributed to a very successful morning. Christine Lambert was on hand to demonstrate three amazing displays – one as the first prize in the raffle, one as a gift for our hostess and one more that was auctioned. Christine was delighted to be the winner of the Christmas Cake beautifully made by Maggie Beveridge. To win, you had to correctly guess the number of raisins in the cake and the winning answer was 397. 

The amount raised for All Saints Church will be over £1,000 once the quiz has finished. Fantastic result, with our grateful thanks to everyone who contributed in any way.

Check out the photos.

Me, You and Breakfast 2 in November was all about the story of Jesus walking on water. Jesus was able to walk on water (after all, he is a miracle worker!) and invited Peter to join him. All was well until Peter noticed the wind and the waves and took his attention off Jesus. The message was simple – keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and he will keep you safe. Now, what activities could we do to match that? We wrote prayers asking for Jesus’  help to do just that. We made a collage which enabled Jesus to be moved so he ‘walked’ on water, which went down well. Then we did actually try to ‘walk on water’. Well, it was a thick cornflour mixture which moved and felt liquid when you put your hands in it, but when you stamped on it, it went solid and supported you! Great fun, if a bit messy…. It was also Bonfire Night so as a nod to that, we made bonfire cakes.

No words necessary – just look at the beauty of God’s provision in these photos of the fruit, flowers and vegetables at All Saints this year. Click here.

This year 64 people sat down to Harvest Supper, using the traditional long table layout. We keep to this tradition because it encourages conversation and sharing with people you might not normally sit with, and is hopefully as inclusive as the Christian way should be.

The welcome drink of a Harvest Cup with local fruits in it (Sangria by any other name!) went down well, as did the food by all accounts. Someone wanted to ‘bag’ seconds of the meringue dessert before they had even finished the first! There was a real ‘buzz’ in the room that evening. 

This an annual event is arranged by All Saints Church but is not just for churchgoers and as ever, it was a healthy mix of church and community, young and old, newcomers to the village and parishioners of many years standing. 

We could not put on a Harvest Supper involving cold meat, poached salmon, vegetarian turnovers, warm new potatoes, five different quiches, four different salads, choice of four puddings, plus cheese and biscuits, coffee/tea and mints, without the support and input of many people who organised, shopped, baked, helped on the night, donated, created flower displays, paid money to attend and bought raffle tickets. And our grateful thanks are extended to them all. Speaking of the raffle, we tried to make it food/drink related with the emphasis on Harvest – and didn’t you all turn up trumps! We were overwhelmed by the generosity of people in the produce and other food and drink items donated. Just take a look at the photos!

This wonderful evening also raised £715 for the work of All Saints Church. 

Frankie Relf was baptised on this day in the service at All Saints, surrounded by family and friends, and well wishers from both churches in the Benefice. Frankie, and his older brother Archie were so good all the way through! Perhaps looking forward to the cakes…. Wonderful day, and lovely to welcome Frankie into God’s family. Few photos here.

Saturday 8th July 2017

A Summer concert

Despite a smaller audience than usual with so many on holiday, the varied performances were enjoyed by those who came.

Check out the photos here.

Saturday 17th June

Fabulous weather, huge numbers of visitors, delicious refreshments, an amazing plant stall and 17 wonderful gardens to visit. What a recipe—and it made for a great day. Grateful thanks to every garden owner for all that weeding, hoeing, dead heading and patio washing, and to the huge team of helpers without whom we simply could not function. We believe we are looking at around £1,400 for the work of All Saints. Click here for the photos and descriptions.