All Hallows Advent Appeal On Saturday 2nd December 2017, box holders were invited to bring their little silver collection boxes to church to be emptied. Several boxes had been handed in at church during the previous week, which made counting on the day itself a little easier. Sadly, I was unable to help on the 2nd December, but I am very grateful to the group of church members who tackled this task, and to Malcolm, Carol, Michael and Christine for taking over at very short notice. A special thank you must go to the box holders who have responded to the invitation to pop all their small (and large) silver coins in a little box for a year. Just over £900 was contributed through the little collecting boxes for 2017. Other donations were received on 2nd December and a collecting box in the church was available until Christmas Day. The total amount for 2017 Advent Appeal is £1,509.64. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this total. Dorothy Knight

Sunday at All Hallows: 10 O'Clock Light, a short, all-age service - at 10am 11.15 - Parish Communion Everyone is welcome.

All Hallows Re-Ordering -------------------------------- It is necessary to restrict access to the Church until Easter due to internal work. The Church will be open for Sunday Worship and on Wednesday for Mass at 12.15pm. If anyone needs to access the Church for any reason can they please contact Maureen Middleton

So we're asking for ideas from people. 10 O'Clock Light has been going for 4 years. And it's been successful in keeping us in contact with a large number of young families. We've seen baptisms, and even marriage, amongst our regulars. But our regulars are semi-regulars, and we put a lot of effort into putting a service together for a fairly limited number of people who typically come along every month or so. So we're asking ourselves - what can we do, to increase our contact with other people, to be more welcoming - maybe to be less formal? So one idea we're playing with, after the building work finishes around Easter, is moving to Saturday mornings, maybe a bit later, maybe with a format that gives us less prep for the leaders, more ability for people "drop in", more chance of engaging with the people who wander in and have a look round at the church when they're in town. 10 O'Clock Light is continuing, 10 am on Sunday mornings, certainly until the works are done - but what do you think? What's the best way for us to serve you? Please let us know. If we can get the best ideas together, we can take them to the Church Council to discuss the best way to change what we do.

Alan Frank Knight ------------------------ This is part of the eulogy written by members of his family and read out in the Thanksgiving Service in All Hallows on 11th December 2017. Alan was born on 12th July 1929, the only son of Ada and Horace Knight of Winstanley Road, Wellingborough. He went to Victoria School, Wellingborough and when asked about his schooldays, said he could remember the charts on the classroom wall showing the progress of the troops during the Second World War and the aircraft identification posters. He left school the day after his 14th birthday and started work with London Midland and Scottish railway the next day. He spent the first few weeks in the office learning the ropes and at the end of this time he was offered a job in the office - maybe it was his ability to count money or his neat handwriting - however the footplate of the steam engines was his real interest and he spent the whole of his working life as an engine driver. Aged 18 he was called up to do his National Service and he spent part of this time in Suez, Egypt and the final few months in Palestine. He was one of the last servicemen to leave Palestine when Britain left that troubled country in 1949. On 12th September 1953, Alan married Dorothy in All Hallows Church and by 1965 they had a family of five children, Kathryn, Valerie, Andrew, David and Elizabeth. This was our dad ........... Always smart, with shiny shoes and a tie, his thick hair carefully combed back, just so. Tapping, blowing, filling and eventually lighting his pipe - he gave up smoking when he was 67. Wearing his overalls and beret, his oily hands delving under the bonnet of our cars. Smelling of tomato leaves as he tended the plants in his greenhouse. Counting his money and doing his “books”. Enjoying a drop of whiskey before bed. After 49 years of biking to the station in Midland Road, and raising 5 children and by then becoming grandad to 10 grandchildren, Alan retired. With more time on his hands, he was able to start playing golf regularly at the Embankment Club, Wellingborough. Visits to the Snooker Hall in the old Palace Cinema and time to enjoy watching the masters play on TV. He even brought a colour TV for this very purpose. And of course, in retirement, Alan and Dorothy worked hard together supporting the church. He helped count the money on Mondays, served coffee at the Tuesday coffee mornings and was an active member of the Men’s Fellowship. Railways continued to be a source of interest and holidays across Canada, to Italy, around the British Isles, were taken by train. Throughout his married life, Alan lived in the same house in Fourth Avenue, and the garden was his domain. He transformed the bare plot into a beautiful landscaped garden that today is easy to maintain and looks good in any season. The lawn was always mown to stripy perfection and bags of apples and tomatoes were available in season. Only this year, when his health was failing, did he give over guardianship of the greenhouse and garden to his children. In recent years it was Alan’s turn to watch with pride as his sons and daughters brought up their own children, created their own gardens and transformed their own homes. We are thankful that only a month before he died, Alan was taken to a Garden Centre to choose his own winter flowering plants. We are thankful too for the wonderful years he gave us, as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. A Thank You Message from Dorothy Knight and Family ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for the cards, letters, phone calls, etc. following the death on 30th November of Alan. He had been in declining health for two years and spent the last three weeks of his life in Kettering General Hospital. The support and prayers of our many friends have helped us to cope at this very sad time. Thank you to everyone who shared in the Thanksgiving Service of Alan’s life and a very special thanks to the amazing catering team (men and women) who catered for the Wake in the church hall – in spite of the snow. Dorothy Knight

Saturday morning at 9.30am we have Communion. All welcome as the Mothers' Union meet to share their Corporate Communion. Ten O'Clock Light is at 10 am on Sunday morning. Parish Communion at 11.15.

Cards for Good Causes All Hallows’ Cards for Good Causes shop closed on December 12th after just over seven weeks’ successful trading. Our sales almost matched last year’s total and generated useful amounts for the twenty five charities which the organisation supports. In fact, to put a positive spin on our results, although our sales were about £100 lower than in 2016, we sold more per day than in the last two years when we had a longer season. If you buy from Cards for Good Causes the charities get at least 70% of the purchase price, as opposed to the 10% or so they receive when charity cards are sold in a normal retail store. We had fewer volunteers this year for various reasons, so I am particularly grateful to those who covered more sessions than in the past. The only incentives I can offer are free coffee and biscuits, the opportunity to spend two and a half hours in a beautiful church and the chance to raise a bit of money for worthwhile charities. Surely enough to attract some new members to the team for 2018? Michael Thompson

Candlemas One of my favourite church feasts, we celebrate Candlemas on the 2nd February. It is, in accordance with the law in Leviticus 12, based on the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus – which had to be 40 days after a boy child was born. The idea that women were unclean after having a baby was retained into the modern era: the Book of Common Prayer still refers to the feast as “The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. And there is a ceremony, separate from baptism, called “The Churching of Women.” I’ve never heard of anyone using that anymore, though I’ve used its alternative from Common Worship as a thanksgiving for a child. Two people apart from the Holy Family feature in the narrative in Luke: Anna and Simeon. Simeon gets his own song, which we still retain in either Evensong or Compline: the “Nunc Dimittis” or “Song of Simeon”. Simeon’s words to Mary are of real significance, as we turn from Christmas to Lent: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” We don’t hear any of Anna’s actual words: we’re told she is old, and a widow and Luke – who seems to have particular empathy with the women in the Gospel story – tells us she is a prophet. Luke tells us that she told everybody who was looking for the redemption of Jerusalem about Jesus. I wish we could hear Anna’s words in the same way we do Simeon’s. But since we can’t, a few years ago I wrote a song for her. I hope she’d approve. All the years I have waited Each day here As the round of slaughtered beasts has filled the air with the smell of blood and flesh. I have seen nations fall. Emperors rise not dreaming that their realms will end their statues will be broken, their names erased. Now, there in Simeon's arms - the still point The axis on which the universe turns. Ancient of Days, yet six weeks old. Time for us now, Simeon Dawn has come We've waited through some dark nights We've seen the light; we can find our way home. Revd Gary

Looking Back at Advent Once again the period of Advent started with our Annual Advent Appeal a tradition introduced by Canon Ian Hunt in the 1990’s and kept alive by Dorothy Knight who encourages us to have a little box in January to enable us to collect silver coins during the year. Once again this has been a success and the amount is over £1400. The next weekend everything seemed to come to a standstill due to the snow and only a small number of people managed to get to Church. Pat Balment had been busy during the previous months organising a Christmas Tree Festival which was intended to be in place for 3 days but which in actual fact was in the Church for a fortnight enabling all of our visitors over this period to see the lovely ideas the different groups had. The start of the festival coincided with the Christingle and Nativity service which was very well attended and ended with Pizza being available in the Church Hall. As the Church was open for the Tree Festival the walking Nativity came to the Church during their tour of the town. We also had a Remembrance Tree supporting Cransley Hospice and raised £40. On the Sunday evening we had been invited to join in the Carol Service at All Saints which had been organised by Harrison (All Saints Organist) and it was lovely to hear different music for this service. Once again we were lucky that the Rowan Gate Primary School came for their Carol Service and with the help of Laura we were able to use our new laptop, projector and screen for the words of the Carols. The highlight of the service was when Fr Tony asked a young boy to place Jesus in the crib, he was so proud and all of the other children were so pleased for him. The next evening we were busy again as it was the Town Carol Service arranged by the Borough Council which is held in front of the Church, with the Mayor and Mayoress in attendance. The weather was kind and it was a dry, mild evening. All Hallows provides refreshments after this service of Mulled Apple juice, Mince pies and Stollen and this was enjoyed by all. Christmas Eve morning we had a joint service with All Saints when Bishop John officiated ably assisted by the Child Bishop Kaycie who had also attend the Town Carol Service. The last service for All Hallows was Midnight Mass and once again nearly 100 people attended. On reflection this had been a busy period for all members of the Church as the Coffee shop was open and we had stewards on duty but hopefully we were showing the town that we have a Church in the centre of the town which is open to everyone. Maureen Middleton

Sunday's worship on Sunday: 10 O'Clock Light at 10 am for an informal, all-age time 11.15 Parish Mass Join us as we celebrate the feast of Candlemas - the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

It's a cold morning but just a sprinkling of snow! 10 O'Clock Light is at 10am. Informal worship (craft this week) for all ages. Led by Debbie. 11.15 Parish Communion. Have a good Sunday!

Bugün günlerden #Deniz#Yusuf#Hüseyin #6mayıs1972darağacında3fidan

This church is from the 12th century! • • • #visiting #town #walk #nice #building #old #oldcity #oldmoments #monument #church #wellingborough #enjoying #england #cityscape #city #town #northamptonshire #eastengland #allhallowschurch #medieval #medievaltimes #medievalworld

Wellingborough is a market town and borough in Northamptonshire, England, situated 11 miles from the county town of Northampton. The town is situated on the north side of the River Nene, most of the older town is sited on the flanks of the hills above the river's current flood plain. Due to frequent flooding by the River Nene, the town was mostly built above the current level of the flood plain. Originally named "Wendelingburgh", the settlement was established in the Saxon period and is mentioned in the Domesday Book under the name of "Wendelburie". The church of All Hallows is the ancient parish church standing to the north of the market square possibly on the site of an earlier church. It is the oldest existing building in Wellingborough and dates from c. 1160. The manor of Wellingborough belonged to Crowland Abbey Lincolnshire, from Saxon times and the monks probably built the original church. The earliest part of the building is the Norman doorway opening in from the later...

The Rose Window designed by John Piper in 1964

Yorke Memorial window in the Lady Chapel- depicting St Crispin Patron Saint of the boot and shoe industry of which the Yorke family had a business in the town

Beautifully carved wooden pews

The crucifix

The interior of All Hallows

The beautiful gilded crucifix and ornate ceiling inside All Hallows

Inside the Church of All Hallows, beautifully lit and looking beautiful.

All Hallows Church, Wellingborough (No Filter or Editing and was taken Friday) © LS Photography #Wellingborough #Northamptonshire #Northants #allhallowschurch #wellingboroughchurch #igersnorthants #instagood #church #holy #bluesky #worship #god #jesus #placeofworship