The other day I was walking around Haversham Sailing Lake. They had a couple of diggers down there clearing out the drainage ditches. The reason they were clearing out the ditches was to allow the water coming off the surrounding fields to drain properly. If they had not done that the water would hang around making the area muddy and causing the roots of some of the plant life to rot. 

Seeing this caused me to think about what things are in my life that are holding me back from fulfilling all of God's purposes for me and living life to the full. Well, this isn't a confessional, so I won't tell you my hindrances. But it did prompt me to think about what things are in OUR lives that hold us back. Maybe it is too much reliance on wealth and possessions for security. Maybe too high a dependence on our jobs for our sense of significance. One of the most common barriers is some wrong that you have done or some hurt that has been done to you which is festering away prevents you from committing yourself and becoming all God intended you to be. 

The solution to this is found in the Lord's Prayer where it says, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". This isn't talking about walking on private property without permission. But as the modern version puts it, "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." To truly be free to live our lives we need to be cleansed of all these things. The Apostle John wrote, "If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When we acknowledge our own faults and forgive those who have hurt us, then we can be set free to discover the fulfilment of Jesus' promise that he came that we " might have life and life to the full". 

Next month marks the start of Lent, where Christians have traditionally examined their lives to seek to clear out those things that hinder us. Why not take some time to pause and look at your own lives and then turn to God to help you sort it all out? 

God bless 

Richard 

 

A new oak door has been installed in the outer entrance to the main porch, and new glass doors with an engraving have replaced the inner porch timber door. This creates a much needed draught lobby, as well as introducing a fine piece of 21st century art to our beautiful building. 

All Saints’ new heating system is installed, and the Church is now beautifully warm for our Services in the cooler months! Come and see for yourself and enjoy being warm at All Saints'. 

 

All Saints’ regularly supports the MK Food Bank, the Tearfund, and Crisis at Christmas. 

 

All Saints’ has an enthusiastic small choir, who lead the singing at Sunday Services. Choir members enjoy joining the Royal School of Church Music for some of their ‘Come and Sing’ events. The Choir is supported by the Village Embertones at Weddings and special Services. For further details please contact Hilary Proud via the Rector. 

 

There is an active band of bell ringers, who ring All Saints’ 6 bells before Services, and also practice on a Tuesday night 7.45 – 9.00pm. New recruits are very welcome. Please see the Bell Ringers’ page on this website, or contact Sheila Watts 07703 279165 for more information. 

 

The Children’s Church meets in the Institute on the 2nd Sunday each month at 11.00am under the leadership of Maddi Forrester and Judith Taylor. See the photographs for some of their activities, and please contact Maddi Forrester, 01234 714903, for more details. 

 

The Homegroup meets on alternate Monday evenings to discuss various aspects of the Christian message. The group includes people from other parishes, and new members are always welcome. Please contact Judith Taylor on 01234 240690 to find out more. 

 

All Saints’ is supported by the Friends’ group (FOAS), who are a registered charity. They work with the Parochial Church Council to preserve and protect the fabric of the Church and Churchyard and to raise funds to assist with improvements to make the building suitable for use by the community for a wide variety of activities. Please see the FOAS page on this website. 

 

It is believed that the building was constructed between 1340-1410. It is in the ‘Decorated Gothic’ style. Work began on the Chancel, with its magnificent east window and progressed through to the building of the tower. During this period, England was at war with France and the Black Death killed thousands of the population resulting in a shortage of skilled masons. This led to wages and prices soaring, which explains why the decoration becomes plainer on the west side of the Church. 

Unusually we have a portrait in brass of Reverend John Morden, who was the priest when the Church was completed. His brass records that he gave two bells, one of which had the inscription ‘In Multis Annis Resonet Campana Joannis’ (John’s bell shall sound for many a year). 

An interesting ‘rumour’, for which there is some corroborative evidence is that the remains of Sir Everard Digby, hung, drawn and quartered for his part in the Gunpowder Plot, lies buried in the Chancel. 

By the mid 19th Century, the Church was in danger of falling down. Very extensive restoration work was undertaken by the Reverend Campbell Hulton - many of his relations and descendants gave generously to the scheme and are commemorated in the mural tablets and windows which are such a dominant feature of the Church interior. Restoration and improvements continue to this day, with the recent addition of cloakroom and kitchen, as we strive to bring the building into the 21st Century. 

 

Sheila Watts, 28 Gravel Walk, Emberton, MK46 5JA. 07703 279165 

 

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