News

HYMNATHON

Over the 16 and 17 May we held our first ever sponsored Hymnathon in All Saints’ Church, in order to raise vital funds for our Restoration Appeal.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who support this endeavour; in whatever capacity.  We could not have done it without you.

The Hymnathon in numbers: 
571 hymns, 28 hours, 2 visiting choirs, 5 organists, 2 pianists, Multiple other musicians, Several hundred unique singers.

To date, the event has raised in the region of £17,000, which is tremendous.  However, we know that some people still wish to donate so we are keeping our Go Fund Me page open for a couple of weeks - https://www.gofundme.com/f/sponsor-a-hymn-help-all-saints-raise-money-for-repairs.  In addition, please feel free to make donations via the office, but do let Julie know that they are for the Hymnathon.

Whilst this was a fundraising event, it was so much more than that.  It was about opening our doors wide and welcoming in anyone who came.  Over the course of the two days we welcome literally hundreds of people, many of whom we had not met before.  We also welcomed our local MP, the Mayor of the Royal Borough, and the Chair of Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council.

 This was the final top 3 at the end of the event:

1. Love divine, all loves excelling     2. My song is love unknown     3. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven

More Information on our Hymnathon page 

Scan the QR code below or go to 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/sponsor-a-hymn-help-all-saints-raise-money-for-repairs  to make a donation.

Community produces 1,000 Poppies to mark Remembrance Sunday

To mark Remembrance Sunday, All Saints’ Church, Ascot Heath, launched an initiative to get members of the Church knitting or crocheting poppies to display in the Church.

The project which was the brainchild of two members of the All Saints’ congregation, Betty Swatridge and Greta Grant, will see All Saints’ Church decorated with over 1,000 knitted and crocheted poppies, in advance of this year’s Remembrance Sunday.

Speaking as a team of volunteers was decorating the church, Betty Swatridge said:

“We initially thought that it would be nice to get members of our congregation to knit or crochet poppies that could be displayed in the Church, however, as others found out about it, it quickly became a community project.  In addition to members of our own congregation, we have had different community groups, individuals, and even the Scouts contributing poppies.”

Greta Grant said:

“When we started, we could not have imagined the level of support we would receive.  To have over 1,000 poppies is just wonderful.  It was lovely to see the community coming together to help us mark Remembrance Sunday.  We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this endeavour.”

It is hoped that as many members of the local community as possible will come and view the poppies in the build-up to Remembrance Sunday and then attend the Act of Remembrance at the Ascot War Memorial at 10:20 on Sunday, followed by the service in All Saints’ Church at 10:45.

The Rev Dr Darrell Hannah, Rector of All Saints’ Church concluded:

“Remembrance is an important time of year, where we come together to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present.  It is always a special privilege to lead the Act of Remembrance at Ascot War Memorial and then the Remembrance Sunday service afterwards, this year enhanced by the woollen poppies that will cover the Church."

Sunday 26th May 2024

We were delighted to welcome The Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey, as our guest preacher at our 160th Anniversary celebration. It was also an opportunity to bid Fr David and Dianne farewell as they prepare to move to their new parish in Cornwall. We marked both events with special cake.

Mini All Saints

Our new toddler group commences on Friday 15th March at 9.30am at All Saints Church.

For babies, toddlers and young children and their carers. Songs, bible stories and play. Fridays during school term time.

Contact childrensministry@all-saints-ascot.org for more information.

The Obituary of John Swingler, a member of All Saints in the early 2000's, and who died earlier this year, can be found here.

John was a regular member of the church band, playing the clarinet. He was also deeply involved in preparing the current church guidebook, and kindly left a bequest to The Friends of All Saints, for which we are most grateful.

As we pray for the people of Ukraine and a peaceful outcome, please consider making a donation towards the DEC Humanitarian Appeal. This will aid the agencies working to provide support for refugees in desperate need.

https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal

DEC charities are in Ukraine and neighbouring countries meeting the needs of all refugees and displaced people:

• £30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month
• £50 could provide blankets for four families
• £100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month
• By donating to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, you'll help DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families.

Archbishops' statement on Ukraine  - “The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil. Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces. We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long term agreements for stability and lasting peace. We invite Christians to make this Sunday a day for prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace. We also give our support to the call from Pope Francis for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday, March 2.”     

Archbishop Justin Welby & Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Bishop Steven shares a message and a prayer for peace in Ukraine  on the Diocesan website
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/news/prayers-for-ukraine-and-for-peace.php

God of compassion,
Have mercy this day on the people of Ukraine.
Restore to them the gift of peace.
Grant wisdom to the governments of the world.  
Bring good in the midst of evil and suffering,
For the sake of Jesus Christ your Son,
Who gave his life to bring peace to your world.
Amen.

Loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus, may they know your healing power.
When we are afraid for ourselves and our loved ones, give us your strength and courage.
When we feel alone and isolated, reassure us with a sense of your presence.
Give wisdom to those in authority and may our community work together for the good of all.
We give thanks for those who care for others and ask you to bless them in all they do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, healer and physician.
Amen

Revd Gill Wiggins

A memorial plaque was installed in the Lady Chapel at All Saints' Church on 28th January 2018.

From the Candlemas service that day -

"Candlemas is the linchpin of the Church's year, the day on which we turn from our celebration of Christmas to our celebration of Christ's passion and resurrection. Today we look back and we look forward. As we look back, it is right and proper that we should remember Gill Wiggins, a faithful lay minister and then associate priest in this parish. Gill herself would want our focus to be not on her, but on Christ.  Nonetheless, as we keep our celebration of Simeon and Anna's joyful reception of the Christ-child in the Jerusalem temple of old, it is also right that we remember and celebrate Gill's faithful service in this temple here in Ascot."

"Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful minister and priest Gill; and we pray that, having opened to her the gates of larger life, you will receive her more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, she may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."