Church Newsletter February 2026
Love is in the air!
By Sarah Howes
For those who haven’t heard the good news already, our lovely vicar Jenny safely delivered her baby on November 18th , a baby boy named Joseph - it was a lovely thing to celebrate just before Christmas!
This month, of course, is Valentines Day on February 14th - a feast day which found its way into the Christian calendar to remember St Valentine, a priest and martyr, who was arrested and executed for practising his Christian faith and helping couples get married. It’s a day to celebrate love of all kinds. In the Bible, originally written in Hebrew, there are four different words for love:
Philia - friendship love
Eros - romantic love,
Storge - family love
Agape -unconditional love.
Agape love is sacrifice. It is loving unconditionally which means still being loved whatever you do wrong. It is pure selfless love. Agape love is the love that God has for each one of us. Agape is the word used in the Bible in this verse: ‘For God so loved the world (every person in the world) that he gave his one andonly Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16
That’s the love He has for you: an unconditional, perfect, sacrificial Fatherly love. It’snot a love everyone chooses to accept but it is available for everyone. I’ve recently been listening to the hymn ‘Oh the deep deep love of Jesus’ originally written in 1875 by Samual Trevor Francis (perhaps look it up). Here are some of the words:
‘Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast , unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me.’
I hope and pray this Valentines Day, whether you’re young, old (or somewhere in between), you become aware of the unconditional love the Father has for you. To find out more, please do join us for one of our services or events at the church - you would be most welcome.
What’s on at All Saints Church?
Open Church: The church is open every day from 10am-4pm for anyone to pop in, look around, be quiet, pray or read the Bible (subject to weddings, funerals, baptisms or special events)
Midweek Worship: Every Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion
18th Ash Wednesday - 9.30am Holy Communion with ashing
On the first Wednesday of the month there is a short Holy Communion in the hall at 3pm (followed by refreshments - everyone is made welcome)
Sunday Services in February:
1st 9am Holy Communion, 10am All Together Service, 6pm Evensong
8th Holy Communion (with JAM)
15th Holy Communion (with JAM)
22nd “Sticky” Holy Communion (with JAM in church)
Everyone is welcome to join us for our services, and we warmly encourage children. JAM is our children’s group (Jesus and Me), which runs at the back of the church. Your children can go to JAM (with you if you wish) or stay in the service. There is a children’s play area inside the church with books and toys, and a toilet nearby in the hall. Refreshments follow the service.
Prayer Requests
If anyone has friends or family whom they would like the church to pray for, for whatever reason, we do need their permission. To add them to the prayer list please contact:
Carol Coleman, Lay Pastoral Minister
Carolcoleman@hotmail.co.uk 07706797216
Being With- Exploring Life & Faith Together Course
The Being With - Exploring Life & Faith Together course begins soon, and there are still a few places available. The course starts on Thursday, 29 January, from 7:00 to 8:30pm and will be held online. The course is ideal for anyone interested in exploring the Christian faith. If you know someone who might benefit from taking part, please do feel free to pass this on.
You can sign up using the link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/being-with-exploring-life-and-faith-together-tickets-1976580384137
Courses available to guide you through Lent
The Beatitudes are a short but profoundly beautiful and influential collection of sayings by Jesus. They sum up His teaching about what it means to live as a child of God's kingdom. Many Christians of previous generations would have known the Beatitudes by heart, but in today's church, the Beatitudes seem to have fallen out of use.
Join the Diocesan mission team, as we explore the pattern of blessing, vocation and promise revealed through Jesus' own life and ministry. Important, subversive and revolutionary, the Beatitudes challenge and prepare us for a lifetime of learning more about God's love revealed in Jesus Christ, and what it means to be his disciple.
Follow the link or visit the website:
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/pilgrim-course
This 40-day journey with the Desert Fathers and Mothers starts 16 February, 2026
The Desert Fathers and Mothers were early Christian pioneers, seeking God in the solitude of the Egyptian wilderness. Leaving behind the corruption of the world and compromise of the church, they therefore imitated Christ’s own time in the wilderness, to reclaim old standards of discipleship, sacrificing comfort to pursue holiness. So this Lent, we’ve created a series that will help your whole church enter 40 days of prayer, simplicity, and spiritual renewal together, based on the Desert Fathers and Mothers, anchored by Lectio 365 and 24-7 Prayer.
Contact Charlie Nobbs if you are interested in joining this course- Charlienobbs@gmail.com.
A message from Derek, our treasurer
I am delighted to announce that, due to some generous increases in regular giving and a rise in one off giving, the church's income increased sufficiently last year to enable us to just pay the Parish Share request of £71,104 in full without reducing our reserves below the limit set by the PCC as part of our obligations as a charity. Looking ahead to 2026, the Parish Share request has increased by approximately inflation (the first for sometime). This means that we will continue to be stretched to pay the Parish Share again this year again. Please consider, if you haven't already done so, if you can increase your regular giving through the Parish Giving Scheme for this year. If you are not sure how to do this the please contact me at: treasurer.earlsbarton@outlook.com or on 07543400385.
A message from Sarah, our Children, Youth & Families worker
Sunday children's activities:
This term rather than having JAM in the church hall, we have decided to offer activities for children every week at the back of church, near the tuff tray. Parents are welcome to help themselves at any time. Most weeks there will also be a children's leader in the area too to help. First Sundays will continue to be all together services, and fourth Sundays are JAM in church with an all-age talk.
TOTs is continuing to meet on Tuesday afternoons in the Methodist church, this term exploring 'Old Testament heroes of faith'. We would welcome new helpers- see Sarah Howes if you can help.
Messy Church was vibrant and joyful last month as we explored the wise mens story. The next Messy church is Sunday February 8th, exploring Gods love through the story of the prodigal son. If anyone would like to help at Messy church with either sitting at a craft table or helping provide food please let Sarah know.
Youth group is meeting fortnightly in the church hall on Sunday evenings exploring wellbeing and discipleship.
A message from Suzanne
Please see attached the poster about the forthcoming Good Grief Fair at Wellingborough Library on Thursday 26th February from 10am to 3pm. All are welcome. It includes Northamptonshire Carers, Made with Many, Kelly’s Heroes, Voice, Family Support Link, Seddon Legacy Project, and more...
The first Good Grief Fair in 2024 was warmly received, with attendees describing it as:
“A safe and welcoming space to talk about difficult topics.”
“A valuable opportunity to discover local support services.”
“Thought-provoking and beautifully put together.
FAIRTRADE NEWS from Nicola
MORE FAIRTRADE TEA IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE…
‘BREW IT FAIR’ has been a focus for the Fairtrade Foundation and our team for a few months now. As well as encouraging more people to switch to fairtrade tea (currently only 15% of UK tea sold) the focus has been on asking our government to ‘brew it fair’ & take greater action to protect tea farmers & workers.
Together we’re urging the UK Government to pass Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legislation - to hold companies to account, tackle exploitation in tea supply chains, and protect farmers facing climate impacts. Many of you have already signed the petition, thank you! If you haven't signed yet we're still collecting signatures in our shop & here.
I felt honoured to be part of the Fairtrade Foundation's march to Downing Street to hand in the 'Brew it Fair' tea campaign petition, over 22,000 signatures already Great to have Rachel Reeves & not forgetting Larry the cat in on it too! If you already drink fairtrade tea, thank you! If not, do make sure your next brew is a fair one....we're open on Saturdays 10-1 so pop in to make a fairer choice of tasty tea. Just look out for the Fairtrade logo when you shop
Mend & Repair Events: We’re pleased to running these bimonthly again this year & would be delighted to help if we can with clothing, fabric & electrical repairs. Our next one will be March 14th.
FAIRTRADE 2026 CAFÉ & BOOKSALE on SATURDAY 14th February Our shop will be open for browsing & buying including some beautiful new greeting cards for all your new year occasions! So enjoy chatting, browsing our products & secondhand books, & fresh coffee & yummy homemade cakes… Everyone welcome!
Email: nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk 07812 686944
Mindfulness and Christianity 8-week course From Wednesday 11th February 2026 (with breaks for half term & Easter) 7.30 – 9pm
Earls Barton Methodist Church Rooms 36 Broad Street, Earls Barton
Do you find prayer and stillness are filled with distraction and difficulty in focusing? Would you like to learn how mindfulness can help your spiritual, physical and mental wellbeing? What are some of the possible benefits? Mindfulness can help you: Manage better with life’s ups and downs Cultivate calmness, peace and appreciation of life and make space for God & for living life in all it’s fullness
Contact Nicola Smith for more information: 07812686944
8-week Mindfulness and Christianity course — Everyday Mindfulness with Nicola Smith
