All Saints Macclesfield

Church Web Site

2010-07-25T15:12:00.001+01:00

All Saints now has a web site giving an overview of what we offer to the community.

Summer Walks!

2010-05-12T11:26:00.004+01:00

Our summer walks take place on Thursday evenings this year, and will continue until 22nd July. We meet at 7pm prompt, on All Saints car park.
Below is a list of the leaders for each walk and the name of the pub where we have a drink after the walk. We aim to reach the pub around 9pm. anyone who cannot make the walk, but who would like to meet for a drink and a chat (and possibly chips!) is very welcome.
If there are any problems with these arrangements please contact Geoff Walton.

Date	Leader	Pub
13 May	Mike Smithers	Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
20 May	Robert Marshall	The Crag Wildboarclough
27 May	Geoff Walton	Harrington Arms, Gawsworth
3 Jun	Chris Campbell-Kelly	The Cat and Fiddle	Note - we park there, we're drinking at the Stanley Arms!
10 Jun	Jim Magnall	Queen's Arms, Bosley
17 Jun	Maurice Hotchkin	Robin Hood, Rainow
24 Jun	Pete McKenzie	The Wizard, Alderley Edge
1 Jul	Alison McKenzie	Edgerton Arms, Astbury
8 Jul	Phil Marsh	Leather Smithy, Macclesfield Forest
15 Jul	Brian Gleaves	Old Park Gate, Over Peover
22 Jul	Laurie Brown	Miners Arms, Adlington

New for Sunday..

2010-05-12T10:37:00.003+01:00

... all welcome!

A visitor's perspective

2010-04-11T20:23:00.003+01:00

Here's some impressions of the All Saints community from a recent visitor - for regulars to read and also for those thinking of joining us.

I have been asked to describe All Saints from the perspective of someone new to the church, something which may be of interest to long term members and to anyone new to the area and considering this church.
My first impressions of All Saints (apart from the rather daunting look of the church from the outside) were positive. Although All Saints could be described as a broadly traditional or middle of the road Anglican Church, it isn’t stuffy or overly formal and Dave Mock (team vicar) is down to earth and approachable; his first words to me were, 'So what are you doing here then?', quickly amended to, 'It’s nice to see you here today!'
I am currently a bit between churches and am possibly looking for a new place of worship. I have visited a few churches in Macclesfield and the welcome has varied according to the church. I only went to one church where nobody spoke to me at all, even though I stayed for coffee (I’m not naming names!) and it did make me think that warmth and friendliness is not always the greatest strength of the Church of England. All Saints does score well in this respect because of the very welcoming sidespersons, a nice atmosphere during worship and the breakfast offered afterwards. The breakfast at All Saints is a definite plus, you won’t find a few rich teas on a plate but things like warm croissants, fruit bread, scones, jam, butter and fruit. It really is rather delicious.
So, warmth of welcome, food, what else...oh, yes, the preaching! I haven’t been to a church with a team ministry for nearly twenty years and thought I would prefer a church with just one vicar. It is good though to have a range of preaching. I’ve been to All Saints on four occasions and have heard Dave Mock and Rob Wardle preach. In my opinion the quality of preaching at All Saints is excellent - and I would say if I thought otherwise – all of the sermons have been interesting and accessible but also sufficiently challenging to give food for thought afterwards. I also broadly remember what all the sermons have been about so far, just don’t ask me in four months time!
One thing that can attract new people to a church is the type of events on offer apart from the Sunday service. All Saints has regular walks, and the service sheet today listed bingo, a fellowship meeting and an upcoming barn dance, BBQ and coach trip. One thing I’d like to see more of in All Saints is young families – I’m sure everyone else would as well! I did notice a reference to 'Blur and Focus' on the welcome sheet and I wondered if this was a youth group and what it involved?(ed. yes they are - there's details on one of the notice boards!)

Summer Walks - the photos

2009-05-30T16:17:00.001+01:00

part of the party, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

The All Saints' walks have been going for a few weeks, this is a picture taken on Thursday at Henbury Hall. More photos of the glorious evening are on my flickr pages here. I'm tagging the pictures I've taken this year and so you'll find them here. We then had a pleasant drink at the Blacksmith's Arms

Summer Walks '09

2009-05-04T10:30:00.004+01:00

Our summer walks will take place on Thursday evening this year, and will continue each Thursday until the last walk on Thursday 24 July. We meet at 7pm prompt, on All Saints car park.
Below is a list of the leaders for each walk and the name of the pub where we have a drink after the walk! We aim to reach the pub around 9pm. anyone who cannot make the walk, but who would like to meet for a drink and a chat is very welcome.
If there are any problems with these arrangements please contact Geoff Walton.

Date	Leader	Pub
14/May	Mike Smithers	Ryles Arms, Higher Sutton
21/May	Robert Marshall	The Wizard Alderley Edge	Note change of pub!
28/May	Geoff Walton	Blacksmiths Arms	Meet at 6:40!
04/Jun	Brian Gleaves	Old Park Gate Over Peover
11/Jun	Jim Magnall	Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
18/Jun	Maurice Hotchkin	Robin Hood, Rainow
25/Jun	Pete McKenzie	Ship Inn, Wincle
02/Jul	Alison McKenzie	Horseshoe Inn, Astbury
09/Jul	Phil Marsh	Leather Smithy, Macclesfield Forest
16/Jul	Chris Campbell-Kelly	Harrington Arms, Gawsworth	List says Bosley...
23/Jul	Laurie Brown	Miners Arms, Adlington
30/Jul	Car Treasure Hunt	Church House Sutton	We hope to arrange this

Service times

2009-05-04T10:16:00.002+01:00

After some discussion the church has decided to change the service time from 10:30 to 9:30 and yesterday was the first day of the new era. It was good to sit down afterwards with a croissant/roll without having to worry about rushing back for lunch! The new time enables Dave to be there, if required, any Sunday. Hopefully it will give us opportunities too!

Habemus Vicar

2009-02-01T19:10:00.002Z

Welcoming Dave, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

(we have a vicar!)
A picture of Chris welcoming, on our behalf, Dave Mock on his first official Sunday! Another picture on flickr.

Christmas

2008-12-22T21:36:00.002Z

A couple of pictures from the All Saints Christmas preparations:
and from carol singing this evening:

Services are

Wed 24th 11:30pm Midnight Communion
Christmas Day 10:30am Family Communion
28th 11am Team Service at St Michael's
and a New Years eve party (on 31st Dec!) at 8pm

Dec-Jan rota

2008-11-15T12:01:00.001Z

I've just started on the next two months rota and my current state of working is downloadable from here. I'll have it maybe more complete tomorrow in church but at the moment it is in a fairly good state of completeness!

An angel

2008-10-21T05:57:00.002+01:00

inside Lastingham church, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

I spoke a little about this from our recent walk in N Yorks on Sunday, (and have blogged elsewhere), but let me make this visible here too. The thoughts of the previous post linger here as well.

SERVE Afghanistan

2008-10-21T05:49:00.004+01:00

Those who go to All Saints will know that an ex-member of the church is currently in Kabul with SERVE. After the murder of Gayle Williams we have received the following message which may be helpful:

We know that some of you have already seen on the news that one of our team mates and friends, Gayle Williams, was shot dead this morning as she walked to work at the SERVE office. We want to let you know that we are all safe, so please do not worry for our safety. We ask for your prayers for Gayle's family in England and South Africa, and your prayers for everybody here as we deal with this loss.

Psalm 23 'Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil....'

I've removed some detail and the names for their protection. For your prayers

Oct-Nov rota

2008-09-11T21:32:00.004+01:00

I've just started on the next two months rota and my current state of working is downloadable from here. As that page says some of the sub rotas are just straight copies of the current one until I get around to inserting the proper data!
Update: I think it is now more or less complete - corrections welcome in all columns!

The choir

2008-09-07T15:09:00.001+01:00

Chris spoke this morning on building one's relationship with God, in good and bad times.
She used this part of 'The Choir' (and the scene before it!)

Holiday Club 2008

2008-08-23T14:18:00.001+01:00

Andy closing the Holiday club, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

Again with the Rhema theatre group - based around the theme of Moses. Here's Andy Bull thanking everyone

DCC

2008-07-27T15:30:00.001+01:00

Church committees often seem boring, but on Tuesday we'll be meeting to discuss important issues of staffing across the team. Do pray for the DCC members as they think over these difficult issues!

The Car Rally

2008-07-27T15:27:00.001+01:00

As mentioned a bit back, we are holding a car rally this Thursday. We'll be ending up at a local hostelry. If you don't have transport - turn up anyway as there are spare spaces in cars. First departure will be from the church car park at 6:45!

Aug-Sept Rota

2008-07-20T22:43:00.000+01:00

Is going to be printed soon and an electronic copy of the draft is in the usual place

Hope 08

2008-06-28T12:33:00.002+01:00

Litterpickers, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

We've been litter picking in Macclesfield for Hope08. Festival, service and funday tomorrow...no service in church - everyone at West Park. Then (this morning) on to the St Albans coffee morning to raise money for this years trip to Lourdes. Couple more pictures on my flickr pages.

Summer walks '08 (again)

2008-05-19T21:16:00.003+01:00

The first walk has taken place and I'll be recording photos of the walks I attend, on my flickr pages, in an album here. This week's will not be as advertised (time change too!) - contact me for details!

June-July Rota

2008-05-19T21:14:00.001+01:00

Is about to be printed and an electronic copy is in the usual place

Always rushing?

2008-04-20T21:33:00.003+01:00

From Simon Tugwell's book on prayer:

God invites us to take a holiday [vacation], to stop being God for a while, and let him be God. God is inviting us to take a break, to play truant. We can stop doing all those important things we have to do in our capacity as God, and leave it to him to be God.

I was aware this morning that Sunday lunch - which I normally cook was complicated and so planned to rush off after church to get home. For some reason I didn't and because I didn't, I discovered something - a problem - which because I waited, could be planned and managed. If I had rushed off I would have discovered the problem next Sunday when it would have been considerably more of a problem.
Then that evening, to Choral Evensong at St Michael's to hear Graham T on prayer as wasting time with God and hence my digging out of the above Tugwell quote. If we don't rush we can listen, we can think, we can pray, we can decide rather than letting events drive us.

Summer walks '08

2008-04-20T15:21:00.003+01:00

15 May Mike Smithers
Ryles Arms Higher Sutton
22 May Laurie Brown
Stanley Arms Wildboarclough
29 May Robert Marshall
Crag car park. Wildboarclough
5 June Brian Gleaves
The Old Park Gate Over Peover
12 June Chris Campbell-Kelly
Royal Oak Rushton Spencer
19 June Maurice Hotchkin
The Robin Hood Rainow
26 June Pete McKenzie
The Ship Inn Wincle
3 July Alison McKenzie
Horseshoe Inn Astbury
10 July Phil Marsh
Leather Smithy Macclesfield Forest
17 July Jim Magnall
Royal Oak Rushton Spencer
24 July Geoff Walton
Miners Arms Adlington
31 July We hope to arrange a Car Treasure Hunt from the church car park ending at The Church House Inn at Sutton

I have a pdf of the leaflet - I don't want to put it on the web as it has phone numbers in it - I think there are still some left in church. If you want a copy emailed contact me (Robert Marshall)

ADCM

2008-04-13T15:08:00.002+01:00

View from the stalls of this morning's annual district church meeting

Dave Mock and Pat Gaskell at a meeting at the end of morning service which I thought was good for sorts of reasons!

Easter!

2008-03-23T21:59:00.002Z

Something I did for this morning with a few pictures from New Year.

April-May rota

2008-03-18T21:32:00.002Z

A working version...is here - critiques and complaints of victimisation welcome! The final version will look prettier too!

Worship today

2008-03-09T15:40:00.001Z

but where? - cartoon at ASBO Jesus

Feb-March Rota

2008-01-12T21:31:00.000Z

here is an initial (draft!) pdf version with the source file - though you will need to have openoffice.org (a free download) installed to read the original source!

Seeking new vision

2008-01-01T19:39:00.000Z

Graham writes:

We are looking for an outgoing and adventurous person to come and join us in our close knit staff team. You should enjoy working with others and not be afraid of change.

The job spec is available from here. Applications welcome :-)

The New Year Walk

2008-01-01T19:35:00.001Z

phot0897.jpg, originally uploaded by rajmarshall.

New Years day is the occasion for the traditional New Years day walk up Shutlingsloe

The full set of photos is here on flickr

Christmas

2007-12-24T10:40:00.000Z

A Happy Christmas from the fellowship at All Saints!

The Bishop pays a call

2007-12-02T15:22:00.000Z

Way back in 2006 the Bishop of Chester booked a morning service with us for Advent Sunday 2007 - and that was today. He also found we had a baptism this morning with a sizable extra party but he coped very well with us as we are..photo is of him at coffee afterwards.

Bit of a rota

2007-11-16T20:00:00.000Z

In view of my - currently chaotic schedule - here is part of the Dec-Jan rota

well it should give you opportunity to swap away from dates!
And here is a slighly more complete pdf version with the source file - though you will need to have openoffice.org (a free download) installed to read the original source!
The pdf link is now a complete rota and unless anyone spots something(!) will go to print!

Two links

2007-09-22T20:29:00.000+01:00

Firstly a tribute to Anita Roddick on the Sojourner's blog telling of her rediscovery of faith through Greenbelt.
And an interview from the Church Times with Ray Gaston - I (Robert) used to be a lay reader at this church - though it wasn't quite as radical then!

Another rota

2007-09-22T20:27:00.000+01:00

Again a draft is here for comment!

August-Sept Rota

2007-07-14T10:59:00.000+01:00

A draft of the next rota is available for comment!

White Nancy

2007-06-01T19:45:00.001+01:00

Having beaten my camera into submission here is a picture from last night's walk:
I'm putting all the Summer walks photos here on my home webserver - be kind to it!

New Rota

2007-05-19T21:05:00.000+01:00

A new rota is available - only in draft at the moment - from here

Summer Walks '07

2007-05-13T15:49:00.000+01:00

The Summer walks start on Tuesday - they are usually on Thursday evenings - but as the first one coincides with Ascension Day, that one has been moved slightly! The schedule looks like this -

15 May - Ryles Arms, Higher Sutton
24 May - Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
31 May - Holly Bush, Bollington
7 June - The Old Park Gate, Over Peover
14 June - Stanley Arms, Wildboarclough
21 June - Rising Sun, Rainow
28 June - Ship Inn, Wincle
5 July - Horseshoe Inn, Astbury
12 July - Leather Smithy, Macclesfield Forest
19 July - Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
26 JUly - Miners Arms, Adlington

You might think from the above that these are visits to pubs - but we do have a walk first. Meet up at the All Saints' Car Park at 7pm (that's generally a leaving time!)
I'll try to get around to editing this and adding some links to the various pub web sites!

Fifth Sunday

2007-05-06T21:18:00.000+01:00

We try to do something different on the 5th Sunday of the month - when it happens. Today we had a Songs of Praise with Hymns introduced by 'ordinary' members of the congregation. Nothing ordinary in what they said - plenty of food for thought for the week.
On Friday (11th) we have a combined quiz night social with St Albans at their church hall at 7:30 - entry £3 - all welcome!

Good Friday Walk

2007-04-06T19:02:00.000+01:00

This year we went on a circular walk around Goostrey, ending with a service in the village hall. Photo album of my pictures is here

Lent 1

2007-02-27T11:33:00.000Z

The team rector, Graham Turner was with us:

Lent is like turning off the tap to external things

and

We don't need all that acclaim if we know who really are.

from Graham Turner's talk on Sunday morning - which can be listened to here.
The list for the Good Friday walk is up on the notice board - please sign it!

Feb 18th

2007-02-18T21:49:00.000Z

We started this Morning Worship by celebrating an important birthday for one of our churchwardens. We were then encouraged to attend the team Lent Groups which start on Tuesday ~~27th Feb~~ 6th March to give us a focus as be begin a period of interregnum. Chris (Campbell-Kelly) led the service including a short meditation with a pause and a piece of music for us to develop our own thoughts.

We are made in the image of God and that is expressed in how we live.

Chris (Gleaves) then spoke - the last in our current stewardship series about the importance of financial giving and its need to be at least proportionate to our income (if not tithing).

A leaving lunch

2007-02-11T21:18:00.000Z

after seven years we said goodbye to Rod with our best wishes for his future ministry and happy memories of and Lynne's time amongst us. I'm sure this picture would benefit from a good caption (that's Rod on the right). More photos are here Unfortunately my camera misbehaved on some that had to be junked.

Easter Gardens

2006-04-18T19:11:00.000+01:00

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Easter Gardens 06 005
Originally uploaded by roddoulton.

On Easter Sunday All Saints Church Macclesfield celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Members of the congregation brought some Easter Gardens which were greatly appreciated by everyone. Follow the photo for more pictures of the other Easter Gardens.

Good Friday

2006-04-18T19:10:00.000+01:00

Good Friday 06 009
Originally uploaded by roddoulton.

On Good Friday members of All Saints Church Macclesfield went on their annual walk followed by a picnic tea and a short service to reflect on the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Follow the photo for more pictures of Good Friday.

Lent Banner

2006-03-27T16:59:00.000+01:00

Lent Banner Link
Originally uploaded by roddoulton.

THAT NAIL

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

Your hands are the hands of a baby as they stroke the face of your Mother Mary,
Your hands learnt the trade of a carpenter.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that raised Lazarus from the tomb,
Your hands lifted Jairus’s daughter from her sick bed.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that took 5 loaves and 2 fishes and fed the 5000,
Your hands blessed the children when they gathered round to listen to you.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that held Peter when he took his eyes off you while walking on the water,
Your hands caught fish with Peter, James and Andrew.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that drove the moneylenders out of your Father’s house,
Your hands rolled the spit in the sand and placed it on the blind mans eyes.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that wiped the tears from your face when you cried for Jerusalem.
Your hands were placed together when you prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane and said “Your will be done not mine, Father”.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail

Your hands are the hands that tied the apron, took the towel, the bowl of water and washed the feet of the Disciples,
Your hand dipped the bread in the oil and gave it to Judas Iscariot and you said, “Go do what you have to”.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that took the bread, broke it and you said, “This is my body broken for you”.
Your hands took the cup and you said “This is my blood shed for you”.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands are the hands that held onto the donkey as your road into Jerusalem to the shouts of Hosanna, Hosanna to the Son of David.
Your hands were still when the crowd shouted Crucify, Crucify.

Bang, bang, bang on that nail.

Your hands were stretched and held down on the cross as I bang, bang, banged on that nail.

Father, forgive me for I know not what I do.

Joy Kewney………………….Lent 2006

2006-03-07T13:24:00.000Z

All Saints Church

A Bishop Visits

2006-02-26T16:55:00.000Z

At All Saints we are looking forward to the visit of the Bishop of Stockport on Sunday 5th March at 10.30 am.

Lent

2006-02-26T16:35:00.000Z

All Saints and the other churches in the Macclesfield Team Parish are running a number of extra opportunities for reflection during Lent.
Town Centre Lunchtime Services
These are going to be held at St Michael's in the Market Place on Wednesdays with a short service at 12.30 pm. This will be followed by a simple lunch.
A Better Way?
At All Saints we are holding a series of five evening meetings beginning on Tuesday 7th March at 8.00 pm. Each evening we will watch a short DVD from NOOMA (see www.nooma.com). The idea is to look at aspects of living the Christian life in the 21st Century.
The programme is:
7th March - "Trees" - Does my life matter? Does God care about my life?
14th March - "Lump" - What about all the junk in my life? Can God still love me?
21st March - "Luggage" - How can I forgive those who've really hurt me?
28th March - "Bullhorn" - Can I love those I find difficult?
4th April - "Rain" - Where is God when life really hurts?
The Prayer of Silence
A series of five meetings at St Michael's in the Market Place in Macclesfield on Monday evenings at 7.45 pm (6, 13, 20, 27 March, & 3 April). Looking at topics such as: why silence and stillness?; Being fully in the present moment; Coping with our fragile egos; The Cloud of Unknowing; Boredom; difficulties and problems.
Reel Life
Issues of life in the movies. The group will watch a feature film on Sunday evening at 7.45 pm, followed by discussion on the following Wednesday. (Dates: 5, 12, 19, 26 March, 2 April)

More details on any of these from: allsaintsmacclesfield@doultonweb.org.uk