Easter Day, 4th April. Greetings! 

Reading : Matthew 28 : 1-10. 

 

“Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble: 

Were you there when he rose up from the tomb?” 

 

So ends the old song. 

Certainly we were there so far in the story. It was our sins with others through the centuries that caused God to send his Son to provide a way out from judgement. It was “ our sins that sent him to the tree” another great Easter hymn says. 

 

We were there with the disciples feeling desolate and alone. Who could help them now that Jesus had been executed? The women poured out their tears as they clung to each other, or made their way to the graveyard in sad silence. Judas had taken his own life at the thought of what he had done. Men of action like Simon Peter and James were left with nothing they could do. They daren’t think of tomorrow. 

 

But when they arrived at the graveyard they were met with the word ”Greetings!” 

 

It was the voice of Jesus welcoming them to him, to his love, his leadership, his call to tomorrow and its many new tasks. 

 

They fell at his feet in humility, joy and worship. 

 

Thank you for being with me in my words this last week. Now go with the word of Jesus in your ears “ Greetings! Come with me, go for me, trust me through everything, rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life for ever, and the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you throughout each day and for ever. Amen. Amen. Amen. 

 

 

Hand rails have now been installed at the Chancel steps, on the ramp leading to the toilet door, and also on the pulpit steps. This will make the Church much safer and easier to use for services and other events. They are made from oak and brass, which sympathetically blends with the church furnishings. We must thank the Friends of All Saints and two private donors for making this essential work possible. 

 

All Saints’ regularly supports the MK Food Bank, the Tearfund, and Crisis at Christmas. Various charities are also supported at the monthly Thursday lunches. 

 

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 "Emberton Occasionals" 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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