July 25 Newsletter
July: A Month of Blossoming
By Rev Jenny Bland
July always seems to brim with life, doesn’t it? Gardens reach their fullest bloom, schools prepare to wind down, and the village diary fills with celebrations and gatherings. At church, it’s a season of joy: weddings, baptisms, concerts, and special services like the one for our Churchwarden, licensing her for a new season of ministry. Our PCC will meet too, looking ahead and discerning what might blossom next.
In my own life, July holds special meaning this year. I’ll be meeting the new baby of one of my closest friends, reuniting with old university friends I haven’t seen in a year, and celebrating a loved one’s birthday. These are moments to treasure, gifts of the season to receive with gratitude.
This month, why not take a moment to look ahead? What dates are marked on your calendar, birthdays, holidays, get-togethers? Can you take a deep breath and give thanks for the joys to come? And when those days arrive, may we be truly present for them—not rushing through, but pausing to notice the beauty and blessing they hold.
Of course, not every date is an easy one. Some of us carry anniversaries of loss or face moments that bring anxiety or uncertainty. The Christian faith reminds us we don’t face these alone. As the psalmist writes, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18), and Jesus promises to be with us always, even to the end of the age.
So, whether this July brings sunshine or showers, may you know you are held in love. And may something deep within you blossom too: hope, peace, gratitude, or simply the joy of being alive in this beautiful, blooming month.
Our Services this Month
Every Day
We are open every day 10am - 4pm* for everyone in our parish to make use of their parish church. So pop in, have a look around, make time to pray, read from the Bible or enjoy a pit stop with your little ones as they play with the toys. We’re open for you.
*Subject to occasional offices (weddings, funerals, baptisms) and special events/circumstances.
Midweek Worship
Every Wednesday - 9:30am Holy Communion.
On the first Wednesday of the month there is a short service of Holy Communion in the Church Hall at 3pm followed by refreshments - everyone is welcome, we often have new people joining us.
Monday to Wednesday term-time : 8:35am Morning Prayer
July Sunday Services
6th - 9am Holy Communion, 10am All Together,
13th - 10am Holy Communion with JaM, children’s group. 6pm Deanery Evensong. 20th - 10am Holy Communion with JaM
27th - 10am Church Under The Trees (outdoor church) with Holy Communion - bring a chair or blanket to sit on if you can.
Everyone is welcome to join us for our services and we warmly encourage children. We have an area with books and toys for families and a toilet a short walk away in our Church Hall. Refreshments are served and friendship and fellowship encouraged after every Sunday 10am service in the Church Hall.
A message from Helen, our church warden
ALL SAINTS AWAY GIVING
For several years, we have made annual donations to three charities:
"Local" - Wellingborough Foodbank, UK" - CAP Christians Against Poverty "International"
- Tear Fund
We would like to allow the church family to nominate alternative charities for the next few years.
STAGE 1: The three categories will remain - Local, UK, and International, with three charities in each category for the whole church family to then vote on.
If you would like to nominate a charity, or more than one, for any of the three categories, please speak to Helen or Derek by the end of July, or email: warden.earlsbarton@outlook.com or treasurer.earlsbarton@outlook.com
STAGE 2: will then be an open vote during August for everyone to choose the final charity in each category, which we will support.
A message from Sarah, Our Children, Youth and Families worker Wildlife family activity days (as part of climate exhibition)
The wildlife activity days (on Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th ) were well attended with a good number of children and families, as well as the primary school (year fives) on the Wednesday and the Brownies in the evening. All engaged in the theme of caring for the world while participating in some wildlife activities and quizzes, writing postcards to Kier Starmer and exploring the climate exhibition ‘Letters from the Global South’.
Youth Wellbeing group
Youth wellbeing group started on June 15th and will continue on Sunday evenings in the church hall until July 27th (apart from a weeks break on July 6th ). We currently have a group of five young people exploring the wellbeing themes of honesty about mental health, anxiety, depression, stress, healthy relationships, resilience and self-care.
Messy church
Messy church continues to be well attended by local families and a lovely fun atmosphere! June’s Messy church was on the theme of the Holy Spirit. July’s messy church will be on Sunday 20th July. If anyone would be interested in being on team or supporting Messy church see me or Angela Bridge from the Methodist church.
JAM/ JAM in church In JAM this term we’ve explored resurrection stories, the ascension and Pentecost. We had a lovely JAM in the church session on June 22nd during the Taize service where the children explored some mindful and prayerful activities at the back of the church. We are looking in the future at introducing ‘JAM in church services’ more frequently (once a month).
B1BS and BOBS
BIBS and BOBs continues to be a warm and welcoming place for babies, preschool children and their families. We’ve explored lots of stories of Jesus with songs, crafts and activities.
School/ Happiness club
Happiness club meets in the school on Thursdays (after school) for a group of currently five children exploring ten ‘keys to happiness’ as identified by charity ‘Action for Happiness’ and supported by the diocese. It’s a lovely group, all the children and parents have given us very positive feedback and we would love to continue to offer this service to the school next term (for a new group of children) if we can. Please see Sarah, Simon, Nicola or Helen for more information if you think you would like to be involved. Also see: https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/support-for-parishes/children-youth/happiness-clubs
ECO Church & Wild@allsaints news
'Letters from the Global South' exhibition and activities weekend - Thanks so much to everyone who helped out and supported this event.
We welcomed well over 200 people, including 60 year 5 children from EB primary school & the Wednesday Brownie pack. As always, the homemade cakes were a wonderful addition and the donations for refreshments raised £217 so £50 will go our Wild@AllSaints Project & £167 to the local Wildlife Trust. We had some very positive feedback from the year 5 teachers about the school's experience of the event and lots of great conversations with visitors about the exhibition and more.
Men’s Breakfast July 2025
We are meeting on Saturday 12th at 8:30am outside Jeyes for chat, fun and fellowship.
FAIRTRADE NEWS
FAIRTRADE CAFÉ & SECONDHAND BOOKSALE on SATURDAY 12th July 10 – 1pm with our MEND & REPAIR event (fabric & small electrical) alongside PLUS we will be joined by the WILDLIFE TRUST so come & find out more about what they do & how you can help nature. Enjoy chatting, browsing our products & secondhand books, & fresh coffee & yummy homemade cakes… Everyone welcome! 07812 686944 nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk
Deanery Evensong
All Saints EB is hosting Evensong on the 13th July instead of the usual 1st Sunday of the month. It will start at 6pm and everyone is welcome to come along. If you are able to contribute with cake or help serve refreshments then please contact Jenny at thevicar.earlsbarton@outlook.com
LAUNDE ABBEY MINDFULNESS RETREAT Monday 21st July - Thursday 24th July - Nicola will be leading this retreat once again in the beautiful setting of Launde Abbey Christian Retreat Centre near Oakham. An opportunity to learn more about how mindfulness can support both your wellbeing, your prayer life and make space for God. Contact Launde Abbey for information & to book https://www.laundeabbey.org.uk & Nicola for more information 07812 686944.
Greenbelt 2025 - August Bank Holiday weekend 22nd - 24th August! This inclusive Christian festival of creativity, justice, prayer & fun will be here soon. There's something for all ages and more information & tickets can be found here: What is Greenbelt Festival? Do let us know if you're thinking of going for a day or the whole weekend & we could meet up for a picnic & maybe share transport Nicola & Bob 07812 686944.