NEWS ARTICLES ON THE SITE:

New Rector for All Saints'

Fr. Anthony’s Ruby Jubilee Celebration

NEWS REPORTS

A New Priest Announced for All Saints'

The countdown begins, but for what? Well the most obvious thing would be, and this is quite clear in the town centre, Christmas. This is of course important for the Church but The Parish of All Saints has another countdown—that which  leads to a new Parish Priest  taking up his work with us at the church and in the whole of the community which is South Lynn.

The search for a new Parish Priest moved significantly this month. Interviews took place on November 15 and 16 and we are delighted to announce that Fr. Adrian Ling, currently Rector of the Flegg Coastal Benefice, incorporating Hemsby, Winterton, Somerton and Horsey is to be the next Rector of All Saints. It is hoped that Fr. Ling will take up his post as Rector some time in April, 2012. We are all very grateful for the support of the Bishops of Lynn and Riborough and the Archdeacon of Lynn in making this appointment possible and look forward to Fr. Ling’s ministry with us. During the interview process the three candidates for the post visited the two Church Schools and all were very impressed with what they saw—impressive facilities and enthusiastic children and staff. The parish is very lucky to have such great schools.

In the mean time, and since Easter Day, the work of the Church has continued and the various events in church (concerts, coffee mornings etc) have raised in excess of £1000 towards the general upkeep of the church and towards the restoration fund. There is still much to be done. You can help in this by supporting the various events which take place at the church and in Hillington Square itself.

Fr Anthony Ruby Jubilee Celebrations

On Trinity Sunday, Fr. Anthony Couchman celebrated the Ruby Jubilee of his ordination to the Sacred Priesthood, remembering 40 years to the occasion, not the date, on which he was ordained  He presided at the Solemn Mass, assisted by the Rector, Fr. Paul, and Fr. Paul James, the Assistant Curate of South Lynn.  The address was given by the Rector, who spoke of the significance of Priestly ministry, making reference in particular to Fr. Anthony’s appointment as the Vicar of St. Barnabas, Walthamstow, where he served for over thirty years.

After Mass, Fr. Anthony was presented with a Della Robbia Plaque depicting the Holy Family, for his Garden, and also a cake made by Mrs. Barbara Blacklock, to mark the occasion.

Fundraising Made Easy with EasyFundraising

Since registering with the Easyfundraising website in November 2007, we have raised over £300 for All Saints’ Church.  Our success is due to the thoughtfulness of those who register us as a cause, with the site, and remember to go through Easyfundraising when they buy anything on the Internet.

In this time of recession it is difficult to raise money and people are being very careful and thoughtful as to what they will give their money to.  At the end of the day, everyone loves to ‘get something for nothing’ and, in effect, that is what Easyfundraising offers.  Through the contributions the retailers make, in response to our purchases - our charities and churches benefit.  Even if you don’t want to raise money for our particular church, register your own charity, club, church or organisation and start making money from nothing!  If you use our referral link (http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/referral/11363) you will actually raise money for both causes at the same time !!  Then when people use your referral link they will raise money for you too, at no cost to themselves, whilst they pile up the cash!

It makes such good sense.   In the Sound of Music, Maria von Trapp sang, ‘nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could ...’ but she was wrong!  See how Easy - Fundraising is.

A Fascinating Find in the Archives

An examination of the Parish Archives has led to the discovery of the record of a unique and interesting document of 1632 (1633) which grants permission for a woman to eat meat (flesh) during Lent. 

The forty day Lenten Fast includes days of abstinence, which requires Christians to refrain from eating meat and, whilst the practice is not so strictly adhered to now, it was a discipline which was rigidly enforced by the Puritans. 

All Saints' Inspires Anchoress Poetry

Anne Markham Bailey visited the Anchorhold of All Saints Church in 2008.  Her intention was to visit the sites of anchoritic enclosure, to experience the place, the spirituality,  and to use that experience to inspire her writing. 

Her work, ‘Cold Stone, White Lily’,  are the thoughts and reminiscences of an unidentified fourteenth century English Anchoress, Anne Wyngfield,  whom she decided to ‘place’ in the anchorhold of the ancient parish church of All Saints’, South Lynn (King’s Lynn), of which she writes ....

Before I travelled to King’s Lynn, I looked at photos of All Saint’s Church and anchorhold. One’s experience deepens enormously when one crosses stone, hears rain, and sees the candle flicker in shadows on the straw covering the floor. In the hold at All Saints’ Church, I was exactly where anchoresses prayed hundreds of years ago when the world was both very different and very much the same.

[read a selection of Anne's poetry]

All Saints' Day

This year the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints’ had greater significance for us than usual.  On the eve of the feast, Evening prayer was said in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (exposed) and Fr. Paul James concluded the Office by giving Benediction. On All Saints’ Day, the addition of another priest, Fr. Paul James Norwood having been ordained a priest only a month before, brought further dignity to the Mass -  with the Rector as the Principal celebrant, and Fr. Anthony and Fr. Paul James as the additional concelebrants in the sanctuary. 

The Mass began with a procession around the church, to the hymn ‘For all the Saints’, led by the Churchwardens; the Holy Gospel was proclaimed by Fr. Paul James and the sermon was preached by the Rector.   

The beauty of the occasion was further enhanced by the new gold coloured Latin vestments, lovely floral arrangements, and excellent organ accompaniment by Nick Kerrison.  The Solemn Mass concluded, in the customary way, with Benediction given by Fr. Anthony Couchman, and the congregation then enjoyed the refreshments prepared by Sonia Snasdell and Angela Cribb. 

King's Lynn Town Band

It was a pleasure to welcome the King’s Lynn Town Band to All Saints’ on Sunday afternoon, 11^th October, when they gave a concert in memory of their former Honorary Vice President, Mr. Harry Hitchcock, who died earlier in the year.

Harry’s wife, his children, and other members of his family were joined by many of his friends, who enjoyed almost two hours of music, specially chosen for the occasion, interspersed with tributes from members of Mr. Hitchcock’s family.

It was a very wonderful and happy occasion, and the superb acoustic of the building further enhanced the skill of the musicians, as the setting sun streamed through the windows on the lovely autumn afternoon.

LIVE RECORDINGS FROM THE EVENT

Danny Boy

Love Changes Everything

Fr Paul James' First Mass

On Monday, 5^th October, Fr. Paul James offered Mass for the first time, assisted by the Rector, surrounded by his family and parishioners, and supported by several priests who had made a special effort to attend. 

The preacher was Fr. Philip Barnes, who is Fr. Paul’s Spiritual Director.  After the Solemn Mass, during which he presented his mother with a bouquet of thirty seven red roses, he distributed cards to those who knelt to receive his first blessing as a Priest, and who then kissed his hands as a mark of their respect for his Priesthood. 

"All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God.

When we go before the Blessed Sacrament let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us, the one to ask, the other to receive."

St John Vianney

Fr Paul James' Ordination

On Sunday 4^th October, Fr. Paul James Norwood was ordained to the sacred Priesthood by the Right Reverend Fr. in God, Keith Newton, the Bishop of Richborough, in the parish church of All Saints’.  It was a very moving and enjoyable occasion, with over a dozen priests assisting the Bishop with the ‘Laying on of Hands’.  

Although Paul and his family have lived in King’s Lynn for ten years, many parishioners from Fr. Paul’s former parish, St. Saviour’s Walthamstow, made a special effort to attend the Ordination Service.   The Bishop also delivered the Bishop of Norwich’s Licence to Fr. Paul James’, as his official Episcopal authority to officiate legally within the Parish, as the Curate of the Parish of South Lynn.

At a reception afterwards Fr. Paul James was presented with gifts from the parish to mark the special occasion.

Poetry in Stitches Exhibition

In September, we were very fortunate, and honoured, to host the ‘Poetry in Stitches’ exhibition from the National Needlework Archive, arranged and co-ordinated by Barbara Blacklock, one of our church members. 

This was a wonderful display of seventy two panels, worked by both amateurs and professionals based on their inspiration from poetry, and the final opportunity for it to be viewed, after a limited tour of the country, before returning to the archive. 

The free exhibition opened from Tuesday in one week until the following Tuesday, and formed the major attraction for the English Heritage Open Day.  Hundreds of people came from places all over Norfolk and across the country, many of whom who had never been to All Saints’ Church before  It was the most successful exhibition we have ever hosted at the church, and we hope that we may be offered the opportunity to host ‘Poetry in Stitches 3’ in 2011! 

If anyone would like details of how to enter the next PiS 3 competition, please go to the National Needlework Archive website  http://www.nationalneedleworkarchive.org.uk/index.html

The Baptism of Our Sanctus Bell, Gabriel

On Wednesday 2nd July, Fr. Paul, the Rector of All Saints' Church, Hillington Square, 'baptised' and anointed a Sanctus bell which is to hang in the re-constructed bell-cote on the roof, at the east end of the nave of the church.

The Service followed an ancient rite used for the blessing or consecration and naming of bells which are used in Christian worship. The bell was 'baptised' Gabriel (which means the voice of God), and following the ceremony he was raised to the bell-cote where he will be struck to announce the elevations of the Blessed Sacrament during the Mass and also to accompany the thrice daily recitation of the Angelus, which reminds us of Jesus Christ's incarnation.

Celebration of Life

There will be a retrospective exhibition of paintings, wall-hangings and sculpted designs by the celebrated Lynn Artist,  Dorothea S Harvey (1928-2007) at All Saints Church, from Sunday 7^th  to Sunday 14th September 2008. 

The exhibition, which will be open daily from 11.00am to 4.00pm and on Saturday from 10.00am to 4.30pm.

Dorothea exhibited regularly at All Saints from 1973 until 2004; her ‘artistic residence’ also included performances of the Littleyard Theatre Puppets.  A selection of a vast collection of her work will be on display, including some unseen works (and items created specifically for All Saints’ Church) including the Littleyard Theatre Puppets, who will make their final public appearance at this exhibition.

Much of Dorothea’s work has been based on the imagery, shape and texture of music, and her paintings, collage and wall-hangings have become a celebration of life, with fish, birds and icons offering a richly decorative effect.  She worked in pastel, inks, gouache, water colour, cryla, oils, impasto, fabrics, linear design in black and white, and jewellery design, as well as the collection of large rod puppets which form the Littleyard Theatre Company.
 

Hosepipes and Horns At All Saints'

Hosepipes do not normally feature in the title of a concert – but the garden essential will be among the musical instruments played by world-famous trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins at a family concert during King’s Lynn Festival.

He will present what promises to be a lively occasion when he introduces the audience to some of his huge collection of 100 musical instruments.

The ancient Lynn town centre church of All Saints', with its excellent acoustic, will provide the setting for Hosepipes, Horns and Trumpets at 11am on Saturday July 19 when Mr Steele-Perkins will tell the story of the trumpet by demonstrating his fascinating array of brass instruments.

The virtuoso musician has become a popular figure with Lynn Festival audiences as a result of taking part in a number of concerts in the town. “I always enjoy being part of Lynn Festival as it has a nice friendly atmosphere and some wonderful historic venues,” he said.

“It will be a family event which will be informative, entertaining and fun. People are always very interested to discover that my hobby is also my job because I collect instruments and restore them.“

* Hosepipes, Horns and Trumpets is suitable for children aged seven and over who should be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are adults £5, under 18s £3 from the Corn Exchange box office on 01553-764864.

All Saints' Provides Serenity from the Gales

Despite all I say there is something especially different about places of worship. It's not only that they are among the oldest and grandest of our historical buildings – stately homes and castles do not have the same effect. It is the quiet inner coolness, but there is something more than simple air tinged with calm.

So I was not out of the wild world and into All Saints' for worship. I had gone only because it was hosting a concert I wished to hear. But at that moment, cloaked by the serenity, finding shelter from the Fen gale and bathed in a warm glow of sunshine pouring through stained glass there was no better place I wished to be.

It could just as easily have been St Margaret's or St Nicholas's, but it was All Saints', where I have attended for the past 14 years, and never once for worship. On this occasion beautiful music for a "summer's day" by the church's orchestra-in-residence, Anglia Concertante, only added to the magic. I have written before about this little gem of a building and applaud the efforts of today's clergy and congregation to maintain it in fit repair to hand on to the next generation.

NADFAS BEGIN WORK AT ALL SAINTS' CHURCH

On the 1^st April, the local Church Recorders, who are part of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, commenced work at All Saints’.

The Church Recorders will make records of the contents of the church, the ornaments, memorials, vestments, stained glass, furniture, art work  etc.  The items are described in detail and their history researched.  All the material is then compiled into a book illustrated with photographs and drawings. This will presented to the church and copies are sent to national institutions.  It is expected that the work will take about two years and they will be ‘on site’ from April to the end of September both this year and next.

Mrs. Alison Wakes Miller, the local co-ordinator, approached Fr. Paul about the possibility of recording the church after she visited All Saints’ during the ‘Heritage Open Weekend’ in September last year.  The group considered then three possible churches and democratically decided upon All Saints’ as their next project.
 

APPOINTMENT OF ALL SAINTS' FABRIC'S OFFICER

At a recent meeting of the PCC, Dr. Simon Thurley was appointed as the Church's Fabrics Officer.  Simon, who lives in Clifton House in King's Lynn, has been a regular member of All Saints' Church since taking up residence in the town over two years ago.  Last year, Simon was appointed to the Parochial Church Council.

The Rector of All Saints', Fr. Paul, mindful of Simon's expertise and knowledge, with regard to restoration and conservation work, invited him to accept the position as the church are on the threshold of an important phase of re-ordering and restoration.  He accepted the invitation and the appointment was unanimously agreed at the recent meeting of the church council. 

In spite of his commitments as the full-time Chief Executive of English Heritage, Simon has already raised a considerable amount of money towards the restoration appeal and opens his spectacular 18th Century Lynn home, with its medieval tower, to raise money for the church.  In March 2007, All Saints' was featured in a lecture which Simon gave to the Royal Geographical Society - one instance of the many occasions used to draw attention to a church and tradition of faith and spirituality which holds tremendous meaning and significance for him.  
 

ALL SAINTS': AN INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

Monday December 4th - 2007

Communication. The Christian Church has been in the business of communication for almost 2,000 years and in that time we have witnessed a variety of communication methods employed to spread the Good News. Just imagine how many more ‘letters’ St Paul would have written if he’d had access to a laptop and 24 hour internet access – his emails would have zoomed around the world in seconds, spreading light into the darkest corners of the globe and hope into the hearts of millions.

On November 1^st 2007, All Saints’ Church’s new website took its first tentative steps onto the World Wide Web. What an amazing first month it has been! One of the tools that we have at our disposal is the ability to evaluate the website’s success from a comprehensive statistical reporting tool that tracks the movements and habits of visitors to the website. 

SCHOOL VISIT: ETHEL TIPPLE SCHOOL VISITS ALL SAINTS'

Saturday November 23rd - 2007

A number of pupils and staff of the Ethel Tipple School visited All Saints' Church in November in order to study the way in which we say Mass now, and to understand  how it has developed from the way in which Jesus celebrated the last supper. 

Fr. Paul went through some of the words and actions used in celebrating the Eucharist, with a commentary on the meaning.  The children saw a selection of the vestments and the special items which are used in Mass.   

The children also had an opportunity to look around the church and to visit the famous mediaeval Anchorhold. 

It was an excellent visit, which Fr. Paul also thoroughly enjoyed. 
 

DEVELOPING LOCAL COMMUNITY LINKS

With the official launch of the new church website yesterday, work has now begun on spreading the word to the local community that our website is available for all to explore. This involves contacting a great number of organisations, agencies, businesses and community groups who may have a vested interest in the historical fabric of All Saints' Church.

Within hours of the first round of emails leaving the Webmaster's computer, emails began to flood in from across the town, saluting the wonders of our church here in Hillington Square. Marcus van Nieuwkerk from the King's Lynn RAF Association was the first to respond (almost within minutes), offering his support by providing a link to our new church website. He was so taken with the website, and our efforts to return the church to its former medieval splendour, that he has pledged a contribution in support of the All Saints Restoration Fund.

Jane of the Kings Lynn Online website responded to our call by throwing her support behind us and adding a link to our website, further commenting that she thought the church was "a beautiful building and well worth restoring." Jane goes on to say in her email, recalling her experience of a visit to the church during Heritage Day: "personally I don't think I have ever walked into any church building that felt so peaceful".

All Saints' Church website has stepped onto the road that is the 'information super highway', and what a first step it has been! Slowly, but surely, the work of our small, yet dedicated congregation will be promoted and supported well beyond the borders of our town. All Saints' Church has entered into a period of technological exploration as our web pages are being explored by visitors near and far; through this website we will reach people from across the world. In the words of Father Paul, "God is not behind this website, he is leading us in front".

Daniel Gibbins - Webmaster