‘COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT’ and ‘UTTERLY MEANINGLESS’ are just two phrases I have heard people use when describing the Church – and, for the better part, sometimes, they are completely right! Instead of a forgiving, caring community, they encounter judgement and a group which is inaccessible, which does little to make them feel welcome or accepted.
AT ALL SAINTS’, we describe our church as ‘a church rich in spirituality; a church of faith; a church of prayer and praise; – which is what we are – the oldest Christian foundation in the town, with a wonderful prayerful tradition EXTENDING BACK 1000 YEARS, very much based on the heritage of the Anchoresses, who prayed, lived and died in an Anchorhold or enclosure in the church.
YET, MORE IMPORTANT STILL , WE ARE, a church of love, dignity and respect; a church for all people, in all ages’. It really saddens me that people sometimes feel ’unaccepted’ and ‘turned away’ – perhaps because of their lifstyle or their sexual orientation, mental illness, social status, or simply because they are different and don’t quite fit in.
ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING, ALL SAINTS’, is how I would describe my church today – a ’space’ apart from the ‘madness’ – the change and chaos of the world – where humour and laughter have a place, together with thoughtfulness, kindness and care We are, above all, A CHURCH FOR PEOPLE, WHOEVER THEY ARE, WHEREVER THEY ARE.
OUR RESTORATION PLANS mean more than just repairing an ancient building – it means RESTORING OUR FAITH AND RESTORING PEOPLE’S FAITH AND CONFIDENCE in the church, and also restoring its’ place within the community. Our BACK TO THE FUTURE PROJECT of re-order and change – removing the pews to create a flexible, more usable space - will recreate the ‘mediaeval model’ and return the church back to the community, as A PLACE OF MEETING – where the Arts will be celebrated, through music, dramatic performance, exhibitions and lectures - where people will continue to feel welcome and REAL FAITH WILL BE RESTORED too.
WE ARE NOT JUST A CHURCH, at All Saints’, we are THE CHURCH, as it should be – as Jesus intends us to be – firmly INCARNATED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, and our town …… with a very human face.