Church Newsletter March 2026
A Season of Renewal
By Derek Bish, PCC member and Church Treasurer
I don’t know if you have a favourite month of the year? March is one of those months that sees a real turning of the seasons – we enter Spring and, at the end of the month, the clocks “spring forward” by an hour to herald the start of British Summer Time. It’s quite a good month, a time of growth leading us out of the dark and gloomy days of winter and into longer days and, hopefully, improving weather. It feels a bit like the world – or at least our part of the world – wakes up once again; sometimes a bit bleary eyed and winter worn but with anticipation for better things ahead.
For the church worldwide it’s often the time of Lent – that 6-week period leading up to Easter. This year it started back in February and concludes on April the 6th, Easter Sunday. The meaning of the word “Lent” is a bit obscure, possibly from an Old English word for springtime, or possibly from a word meaning lengthen, referring to the hours of daylight. For Christians, it’s traditionally a time of giving up something; maybe rich food, chocolate or alcohol. This reflects the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and pondering the start of his mission in the world. More recently, it’s often seen as a time for Christians to delve deeper into faith and prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of Easter.
Here at All Saints, many of us are looking back to study the wisdom of some of the earliest followers of Jesus, who lived out their faith simply, seeking God in the solitude of the desert in the 3rd Century. Sometimes looking back allows us to reflect on what is most important in our busy and, often, overwhelmed lives. These early Christians learned to find time for a deep and authentic connection with God through stillness – something very hard for most of us to embrace these days.
But Lent is also very much a time of looking forward, just as March is a month of looking forward to longer evenings, warmer days and all that spring and summer brings. For Christians, Lent helps us to anticipate the time when we celebrate and remember, at Easter, all that Jesus has done for us through his crucifixion and resurrection. March may not actually be my favourite month of the year, but it does often feel quite special.
May this month bring you new things to look forward to but also time to be still and reflect on God’s goodness and love for all of us and our world.
Our Services this Month
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.
March Sunday Services
1st March
9am Holy Communion, 10am All Together 6pm Evensong 8 th - 10am Holy Communion
15th March
10am Holy Communion (Mothering Sunday)
22nd March
10am Sticky Holy Communion (With JaM in church) 29 th - 10am Palm Sunday and Holy Communion
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 in the Church at the children’s play area inside the church with books and toys, and a toilet just a short walk away in our Hall. Refreshments follow most 10am services in the Church Hall and again, everyone is welcome!
Easter Services
April 2nd
7pm - Maundy Thursday Holy Communion and Washing
April 3rd
10:45 am Good Friday Walk of Witness (Methodist Church)
11:15am Service of Reflection (Methodist Church)
April 5th
6am Easter Day Sunrise service
10am Easter Celebration with Holy Communion 6pm Evensong
FAIRTRADE NEWS from Nicola
Why is chocolate so expensive? Have you been wondering why the cost of your favourite chocolate bar has been going up - while still getting smaller?
You’re not imagining it - there’s a story behind it.
What about Easter Eggs? It’s already being reported that Easter Eggs this year are smaller and more expensive than previous years, as the price of cocoa has driven a new wave of ‘shrinkflation.’ Unfortunately, while the cost of your favourite chocolate bar might be going up, this extra money isn't necessarily ending up in the hands of the farmers and workers whose livelihoods depend on it's production. Many cocoa‑growing communities continue to face low wages, unstable demand, and rising production costs, widening the gap between what chocolate is worth and what farmers actually earn.
The climate crisis is affecting how costly it is to make the chocolate we love - cocoa trees are highly sensitive to shifts in temperature and rainfall, and unpredictable weather, droughts, and new plant diseases which reduce yields across major growing regions. When less cocoa is produced, the cost of raw beans rises, which ultimately increases the price of chocolate.
These changes in the cocoa supply chain are also having a huge impact on the people that farm the crop. Despite already earning far below a living income, farmers are now also facing increasingly rising costs of living and production. Higher prices for essentials like food, fuel, and fertiliser make it even harder to maintain their farms. This means some younger cocoa farmers are leaving to find better paid jobs to support their families.
How is the Fairtrade Foundation involved in chocolate prices?
Fairtrade plays a vital role: the Fairtrade Minimum Price and Premium help protect farmers from volatile markets and support long‑term investment in their communities. Choosing Fairtrade chocolate ensures farmers are paid more fairly and can build resilience in the face of these challenges. Fairtrade standards prioritise human rights, environmental protection, and economic stability - which all put money back in the hands of farmers and workers and can help put food back on the table for their families. Ultimately, a rise in the cost of price of chocolate also reflects the true cost of producing cocoa sustainably and ethically. By choosing Fairtrade, you’re supporting a future where cocoa farming is viable, resilient, and fair for the people who grow it. So do pop in to our shop, open 10 – 1 every Saturday & look out for the FAIRTRADE logo elsewhere too!
FAIRTRADE CAFÉ & REPAIR CAFÉ on SATURDAY 14th MARCH We’re also joined by the Children’s Society so come & find out more about how you can support them.
Our shop will be open for browsing & buying & we will be delighted to help if we can with clothing, fabric & electrical repairs. Coffee & yummy homemade cakes…
Everyone welcome
Email: nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk 07812 686944
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
APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting)
The APCM will be held after the 10am service on Sunday 26th April and will be chaired by Simon.
Messy Church
Sunday March 8th at 2.30-4pm at Earls Barton Methodist Church, 36 Broad Street, Earls Barton.
Angela: 07415 740 861 (Methodist) Email: mission@nvm.org.uk nenevalleymethodists.com
Sarah: 07800 786 004 (All Saints) allsaintseb.com
Come along & join in the fun with stories, songs, crafts, games and food!
Theme: Easter!
A venture jointly run by Earls Barton Methodist Church and All Saints Church.
Annual Plant Swap & Sale
Saturday 13th June 10am- noon at All Saints Church Yard, Earls Barton.
A great way to share excess plants and gain new ones.
Plants can be donated, swapped or just bought!
So start sowing, thinning, cutting,and bring along on the day!
(Valuation of plants will be at the organisers discretion) (need more info? – phone 07775 708771)