We live in a society dominated by fear. We all face fears of one kind or another. One website lists the top 10 strong fears that almost everyone encounters. In order they are: Failure, death, rejection, ridicule, loneliness, misery, disappointment, pain, the unknown and loss of freedom. Recent specific fears highlighted in the news include knife crime, the consequences of Brexit or lack thereof, war, and environmental catastrophe. 

Fear not only robs us of peace, but it can incapacitate us and keep us from living life to the full. Fear causes us to focus in on ourselves and as a result creates barriers and mistrust between people. 

God understnds the world we live in and does not want us to live in fear. At least 81 times in the Bible we are told, "Do not be afraid." But that is far easier said than done. 

How do we find freedom from fear? First by knowing the truth as Jesus said, "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." The first truth we need to know is that God exists and will make himself known to us if we seek his face. The best place to learn this truth is to look at Jesus who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." and "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." 

The second truth is that God loves us. The Apostle Paul tells us, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Later on the Apostle John wrote, "... perfect love casts out fear..." 

The answer to our fears is to know God and his love made known to us through Jesus Christ. When we know that, then whatever the circumstances, we can live as the Apostle John wrote, "...perfect love casts out fear..." 

The answer to our fears is to know God and his love made known to us through Jesus Christ. When we know that, then whatever the circumstances, we can live as the Apostle Paul again wrote, "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

So when things seem dark and dim, think on these words from the Scottish minister, Thomas Chalmers. "It is in those times of hopeless chaos when the sovereign hand of God is more likely to be seen." 

And finally an excerpt from the poem "God Knows" by Minnie Louise Haskins, a British poet and sociologist. The poem was quoted by King George VI in his Christmas broadcast in 1939 at the beginning of World War II. 

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way'." 

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'.  

 

We now have sound enhancement. A system was installed at the end of May 2019, and this will make a big difference at services and events in church. 

 

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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