Volunteer handbook for All Saints Church to be launched in new year

With over one hundred people actively involved in a huge range of different roles on behalf of the church All Saints Parochial Church Council has decided to follow the example of other larger churches and produce a Volunteer Handbook. 

Canon David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints said:

"We want to ensure we value and support all those who volunteer under the auspices of the church. Our new volunteer handbook will bring lots of information together in one handy booklet. It will include a reminder of our vision and mission as a church and the importance of safety, respect and care for everyone. We hope too that as we share this information and develop our support for volunteers, more people both existing church members and those in the wider community of the town will feel encouraged to join is with the amazing work we are doing as a church community to serve our neighbours and share God's love for all."  

The new booklet will be launched in January 2017.

Positive response to churchyard review ongoing

The Rector and church officers at All Saints are conducting on ongoing review of the churchyard burial plots this Autumn in conjunction with the end -of-summer annual maintenance; to ensure that all plots are being properly managed and comply with the burial agreement. A letter has been sent to all families with loved ones buried in the current burial area (known as the historic graves area) informing them of the review and reminding them of the burial agreement regulations.

Canon David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints, said:

 "We have churchyard regulations to ensure the safety of all users of the churchyard including churchyard workers; and also to preserve the historic appearance of this particular area of the churchyard as open lawn, which makes it such a calm and peaceful place. All families are informed of these regulations before a loved one is buried and all sign an agreement to state that they will comply. We are finding that families who abide by the regulations may be upset when others do not. Our initial letter was just a gentle reminder to families of the reasons for these regulations and that they had agreed to abide by them.I am pleased to report that we are seeing a positive response to our request."

Good news for All Saints CE Primary and Nursery School

Following its latest OFSTED inspection in September, All Saints CE School is now a "Good" school with an "Outstanding" Early Years setting. Read the full report here

All Saints Church launches new visual identity

All Saint's Church's new visual identity is launched this month on Advent Sunday 27th November at the beginning of a new church year. 
Canon David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints writes:

"The concept for the icon is an abstracted leaf motif from the church font. The four leaves of different bright colours reflect our inclusive welcome and holistic approach to Christian faith, and the four priorities of our mission; worship, spiritual growth, youth and community. There is a subtle reference to the cross, the heart of our faith, in the icon's negative space. The abstract leaf veins produce the effect of a burst of light or star when the icon is placed on a white background.; representing the light of Christ generally, and also recalling our now familiar star on the church tower illuminated during December."

The new identity was designed by Morse-Brown Design of Birmingham who have done work for the national Church of England and the Diocese of Oxford. 
The final design approved by the Church Council on 1st November was based on the feedback received from over 50 members of the church on several initial options. The company are also designing a new website for All Saints Church set to be launched before Christmas and a new Christmas themed publicity leaflet to be distributed across the parish. 

Civic Remembrance Service

Photo from The Wokingham Paper of  Remembrance Sunday Parade (Rev'd Anna Harwood, Associate Rector of All Saints and Mayor's Chaplain on left; with Rev'd Dag Bjarnhall, visiting Swedish priest, Rt Hon John Redwood MP in centre)

Once again this year All Saints Church hosted Wokingham's Civic and Ecumenical Remembrance Service with some 400 people in attendance; including the High Sheriff of Berkshire; the High Steward of Wokingham, Lady Elizabeth Godsal MBE; and a contingent of solders from REME. All Saints' Rector, Canon David Hodgson, led the service; Rev'd Anna Harwood, Associate Rector of All Saints and Mayor's Chaplain for this year preached the sermon; Fr David O'Sullivan Parish Priest of Corpus Christi RC Church, led the prayers of intercession. John Redwood MP read the bible lesson, young cadets also took part in readings.The Choir of All Saints Church, conducted by Director of Music Richard Smith, sang the anthem "O for the Wings of a Dove" and also Psalm 121.

Work begins on new paths for Garden of Remembrance

Work has begun in All Saints churchyard on new path surfaces ahead of the creation of the new Garden of Remembrance. The new paths will guarantee easy and disabled access to the new seat to be installed by the Garden of Remembrance and also extend access from the church and the street to the area in the centre of the churchyard currently being used for burials.

Peal of bells for All Saints celebration

All Saints Sunday was celebrated this year with a successful full peal of bells on the Saturday beforehand. The details of the peal may be viewed here http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=1032257