Church Newsletter October 2026
RECOVERY by Simon Elvin (Reader at All Saints)
I have a feeling that by the time you read this, the long, hot, dry summer will be a distant memory. But there were lessons about how much nature and people can take, about resilience, and about recovery too. My “lawn” (I use the term loosely!) really looked as if it had died. Not just white, but turned to dust where we walk on it. But when the rain finally came, it slowly picked up. I’ve even needed to use the lawnmower! Grass really is amazing stuff – it hung on in there under the surface through the longest time of drought and heat I can remember. It just needed a helping handful of rain to recover. Around the village too, everywhere we see signs of recovery. (How long will it take Sywell reservoir to refill??). But not all my plants recovered, sadly. Some are definitely dead, and others I’ll need to wait till next spring to see if they actually DO spring back up. People are like that. Many – most – people go through a really tough period at one time or another in their life. I have been. When it’s like that, the support of friends, family or neighbours is so, so important, whether they (or you) can help in practical ways or not. Sometimes it’s just about caring enough to steer people towards the help available. Or just being there, when things don’t work out. Fortunately, in our village there’s lots of practical help available: the Help Scheme for people who’d otherwise struggle to get to appointments, the Carers’ Café for those looking after elderly or disabled folk, Tots Together for company and fun for parents of small kids, the Friday Friendship group for those who need a community, Stay and Play/Scrabble/Rhymetime/ a warm winter space in the Library, and a lot more. We’re also now a FairTrade village, supporting people further afield. And our hearts and souls need recovery too. Come to Church! You’ll find a warm, welcoming, helpful, caring, enlivening modern community seeking God’s love, direction and support – recovering who we are meant to be!
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 there is Holy Communion at 9:30am.
On the first Wednesday of the month (2nd September 2026) 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. 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.
October Sunday Services
4th October: 9:00am Holy Communion, 10:00am Harvest Festival, All Age Service, 6:00pm Evensong.
11th October: 10:00am Sunday Service with Holy Communion
18th October: 10:00am Sunday Service with Holy Communion
25th October: 10:00am Sunday Service with Holy Communion
A message from Helen , Our Church Warden & Derek, Our Treasurer
Volunteer fundraiser
Dear church family, All Saints is heading for an exciting time over the next few years with plans to carry out some much-needed renovations for our Church Hall and major plans to re-order the church building to make it more flexible, welcoming and available to our village community. But all this needs funding - lots of it! There are many opportunities to raise money outside of generous church family - granting organisations, sponsors, community donations, for example. At the moment, much of this work is being undertaken by our very busy Churchwarden, Helen and our Treasurer, Derek. It would wonderful if someone in our church family felt inspired, enthusiastic and capable of supporting this important work. A willingness to coordinate with the PCC and other external people with an ability to engage with online systems would be good along with some time to dig in and get things done. Please talk to Helen or Derek for more information.
A message from the Bland Family
Joseph’s Baptism will be on Sunday 18th of October 2026 at All Saints Church Earls Barton at 2 pm and afterwards in the Church Hall for refreshments. Everyone is welcome!
A message of thanks
On behalf of the church family, the PCC wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the family of Norma Brannan for the generous donation made from her estate. Her memory and kindness are a blessing to our community.
Christmas Tree Festival: Can You Help?
Christmas Tree Festival: Can You Help? Preparations are underway for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at All Saints, and we are looking for volunteers to help bring the event to life. Whether you can help welcome guests at the door, serve refreshments, or assist with setup and takedown, your time and support would mean so much to our community. If you're interested in getting involved, please reach out directly to Amanda Mayne on amandamayne21@gmail.com . Thank you in advance for helping make this festive tradition special for everyone!
Help Us Share Our Story: Content Creator Needed!
Do you have a passion for photography, social media, or storytelling? We’re looking for a volunteer content creator to help raise the profile of All Saints Church and share the wonderful things happening in our community. If you’d like to lend your creative talents—even for just an hour or two a week—please reach out to Helen Winrow. warden.earlsbarton@outlook.com
A message from Helen, Our Church Warden on behalf of Moulton Church
This year seem to be flying by and a very special day will be coming up soon now! The exciting news is that the first ever UK wide Christian Grandparenting Conference will be happening in Milton Keynes in October and the early bird booking rates are available until 1st September. May we encourage any of you that haven't heard about it or yet signed up for the National Christian Grandparenting conference to consider doing so?
You can find out more about it on the website www.christiangrandparents.co.uk. where you will note that it is a partnership between 4 organisations (Bible Reading Fellowship/Grandparenting for Faith, Scripture Union, Children Can and Inspire Christian Grandparenting (Martyn and Angela Thompson) to encourage and inspire us in intentional Christian grandparenting, whatever our families circumstances, and we know that families can face many difficult situations. There will be great worship, teaching, sharing, networking and exhibitors with resources to help you on your way in this privileged but challenging God designed role as Christian grandparents.
It's taking place on October 3rd in Milton Keynes so ideally located for many of us. The venue has good parking and access too. Tickets are currently £26 at the early bird booking rate until 1st September, with a further discount to £20.80 each if bought as the '5 for 4' , 'fill a car', offer. It will be a great day and would be so good and encouraging to be there with you. We would be delighted to hear from you if you or any of your church family/friends are able to go! Please do spread the word to others you know too and we would be very grateful if you could especially encourage members of your church family. This is an area of ministry where we can see the Lord moving not just here and in the US but also in many countries around the world. Come and be blessed to be part of this as we see the next generations touched by the Lord!
Please drop us a line or give us a ring if you'd like to know more. We look forward to hearing from you Hope to see you there!
With love and prayers God bless
Martyn and Angela Thompson (07713149408)
Grandparenting Ministry Leaders Moulton Parish Church Leaders Christian Grandparents UK
EARLS BARTON CHURCH HALL REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS UPDATE
You may, or may not be aware, that the Council of All Saints Church is trying to raise money to carry out urgent repairs to the exterior of the church hall. Following these repairs we hope to renovate and upgrade the interior of the hall to vastly improve the facilities used by many village and community groups. The hall hosts in the region of 500 attendees each week, the groups we host include:
Saxon Preschool who occupy the building 4 days a week.
Guide and Scout groups who meet on most weekday evenings
Under the Tower Drama Group who have use of the stage and generous storage for their production props and equipment.
Lunch Clubs and Friendship Groups for the elderly, helping to combat loneliness and isolation in our village.
Our Fairtrade Shop which as well as selling FT products donates approx. £3000 p.a. to Tradecraft Exchange who work with small producers abroad.
SINCE THE SPRING WE HAVE BEEN APPLYING FOR GRANTS AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING GRANTS AND PLEDGES FROM THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND, BERNARD SUNLEY FOUNDATION AND THE BENEFACT TRUST, BUT THE FUNDRAISING CONTINUES IF YOU FEEL ABLE TO DONATE ANY AMOUNT NO MATTER HOW SMALL, PLEASE DO SO BY:
Paying by BACS, with reference “Church Hall and your name” to: Account: Earls Barton Parish Church Hall Sort code: 20 45 45 Account: 10398675
If you would like a receipt/ confirmation of your payment please email our treasurer: David Hylden : david_hylden@yahoo.co.uk
Of course we remain eternally grateful to all those who have already donated to this project, but if you want to discuss our plans further, or receive any more information please contact our warden, Helen Winrow on email :warden.earlsbarton@outlook.com
Please support us in achieving our goal to provide the village of Earls Barton with a community hall fit for the 21st century
This Month’s Events
Belfry Open Morning, Saturday 10th October 2026, All Saints Church, 10:00am-12:00pm.
This event is a great opportunity to meet our existing friendly band of ringers over a coffee and a chat. Visitors will then get the chance to climb our ladder and there will be an opportunity to have a go. If you want to find out more before the event then please get in touch.
FAIRTRADE 2026 CAFÉ & MEND & REPAIR CAFÉ on SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 10am till 1pm
Our next FAIRTRADE CAFÉ on 10th OCTOBER 10-1pm will also be a Repair & Mend Café so October (instead of November!) We’re also joined by NORTHAMPTON WILDLIFE TRUST with info about local to EB initiatives. Look forward to seeing you there for delicious cake, fresh coffee & chat Nicola 07812686944 nicky_smithseb@yahoo.co.uk
A message from Nicola Smith Fairtrade News
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT is always a busy time and hopefully we’ll have some pics to share next month. Our September café was busy with repairs, our end of season sale, Friends of All Saints stall and lots of our lovely regulars enjoying chat, coffee and cake. The Fairtrade ‘Do it Fair’ campaign continues because everything we buy in the UK should guarantee fair pay, safe working conditions, and care for the environment. But businesses that put profit over people and planet are still the norm. The true cost of cheap food and drink is often paid by the people behind it, and now the climate crisis is also putting them and their livelihoods at risk. By 2050, up to 60% of coffee-growing land could be lost to climate change, yet the people who grow it are being left to face this alone. It shouldn’t be on them to fix a crisis they didn’t cause. Over 70% of shoppers in the UK think that businesses should be doing more. Fairtrade is calling on the government to pass a new law that would ensure all businesses address human rights abuses and climate damage behind their products. Together, we can demand rules that make every business take responsibility. Together, we can level the playing field. Together, we can be fair to people and the planet. Please pop into our It’s Only Fair shop on a Saturday to sign our paper petition or search for the petition to sign here: https://action.fairtrade.org.uk/page/186243/petition/1
Harvest Supper, Saturday 10th October 2026
All Saints Church Hall, Doors Open 6:30pm, Meal served at 7:00pm Tickets: £20 per person Under 12s: £10 This year we’re asking guests to bring their own drinks (alcoholic or soft)and your own glasses. This helps reduce the washing up for our lovely cooks at the end of the evening. We’d love to see you there! To book, please contact allsaints.earlsbarton@outlook.com and payment details will be provided. Alternatively, please provide money in an envelope with your name on and hand it to Elly Coles-Abell on a Sunday morning. Final requests for tickets by the 7th of October please.
Messy Church is on Sunday 18th October from 2.30pm till 4pm at the Methodist Church
You’re invited to the 2026 Tearfund Big Quiz!
Saturday 7th November at 7.30pm All Saints Church Hall
Please contact Nicola for more information & to book. Even if you haven't got a team we'll organise that on the night. 07812 686944