Weekly Update – 21st & 28th December
Update for Sunday 21st and 28th December 2025
Happy Christmas
Over this next week we will be celebrating hope, peace, love, and JOY as we remember that God sent his Son, Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us) - the best gift ever! May you know Christ’s healing, reconciling, transformational presence with you, in your homes, and with your loved ones this Christmastime.
A BIG thank you to all those who volunteer at All Saints: giving your time, energy, and commitment sacrificially this past year. Whether its leading groups, shepherding children, serving refreshments, leading worship, serving on a team, arranging flowers, or any one of the countless other (and often unseen) tasks that keep our community running – we are so grateful – thank you for all that you do.
We also wanted to thank those who have given us gifts and cards this year. All much appreciated. We wish you all a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas and we look forward to seeing you as we enter 2026. With love from Revd. Emma, Revd. Buffy, Lewis, Karen, and Peter. X
Sunday 21st December – 4th Sunday of Advent
This week the readings are Isaiah 7: 10-16, Romans 1: 1-7 and Luke 1: 26-38
At 8am we gather for a traditional BCP Holy Communion Service Revd. Emma will preside and Karen Gaskin will preach.
At 10am we gather for a Holy Communion and groups for Kids and Youth at Ten. Revd. Emma will lead and preside, and Karen Gaskin will preach. This service will be live streamed. All are welcome to stay for refreshments served in our church hall after the service.
Wednesday 24th December – Christmas Eve
Crib Services at 3pm and 5pm. This year we are again holding two Crib Services – so you choose what time suits you best! Come and sing your favourite Christmas Carols and listen to the story of Christmas. You are welcome to come dressed as a nativity character, ready to join in! There will be a collection for the work of The Children’s Society.
At 11.15pm we gather for Midnight Mass as we welcome in Christmas morning. The readings will be Micah 5: 2-5a, Titas 3: 3-7 and Luke 2: 1-14 Revd. Emma will lead and preside, and Revd. Buffy will preach.
Thursday 25th December - Christmas Day
The readings today will be Isaiah 9: 2-7 and Luke 2: 1-14.
At 8am we gather for a traditional BCP Communion Service Revd. Buffy will lead and Revd. Emma will preach.
At 10am we gather for a Christmas Celebration Service followed by Holy
Communion. At this service Peter Mitchell and Revd. Emma will lead and preach.
Sunday 28th December – 1st Sunday of Christmas
This week the readings are Hebrews 2: 10-end and Matthew 2: 13-end
At 9am we gather for Holy Communion. Canon John Byrne will lead and preside and Peter Mitchell, our Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) will preach. All are welcome to join us for refreshments in the church hall afterwards. No 8am or 10am services today!
Sunday 4th January - Epiphany
This week the readings are Ephesians 3: 1-12 and Matthew 2: 1-12
At 8am we gather for a traditional BCP Holy Communion Service Revd. Buffy will preside and Revd. Emma will preach.
At 10am we gather for a Holy Communion and Prayer Ministry with groups for Kids and Youth at Ten. Revd. Buffy will lead and preside, and Revd. Emma will preach. This service will be live streamed. All are welcome to stay for refreshments served in our church hall after the service.
Lewis Jones – Sick Leave
Lewis remains on sick leave at present. Please be praying for Lewis, Sophie and family.
Liz Crane
There is a book of memories of Liz being put together for Penny, Daniel and Della.
They would love as many of the church family as possible who knew Liz to write a memory two. This can be sent via Revd Buffy's email or by popping it in an envelope and dropping it into the curate’s pigeonhole in church or to the office.
Church and Office Opening Times for Christmas and New Year
The Parish Office will be closed from Wednesday 24th December and will re-open on Friday 2nd Jan at 9am. We will not pick up emails or calls during this time.
If you need urgent assistance, Revd. Emma can be contacted by email or on the vicarage telephone number during this time. Thank you.
The last Morning Prayer will be on Wednesday 24th Dec. It will recommence on Monday 5th Jan at 8.30am.
The Church will be open each day over Christmas from 9am until dusk for private prayer.
Saturday 10th January 2026 10am – Inspire Women’s Group
Please save the date - more details to follow for our Women’s Breakfast in the church hall. Revd. Buffy, Katherine, Sophie and Karen
Saturday 28th February – Quiet Day
Quiet Days are a wonderful time to reflect, pray and just be. All are welcome to come to All Saints Quiet Day at Wisdom House, Romsey. The day will start at 10.00am and run until 16.30pm. The cost this year is £25.00 this includes a simple lunch, with tea, coffee and biscuits available throughout the day and tea and cake will be served before we leave. If you would like to attend, please contact Karen in the Parish Office to be added to the list, Karen will also be collecting the money, but payment by bank transfer is available. Parking is limited at Wisdom House, so we will car share.
If anyone would like to know more, maybe you are not sure what a Quiet Day entails, please contact Kim Markham 9224 0150 or email kim@markhams.me.uk
STOP Domestic Abuse
A big thank you to all who gave so generously at our recent Gift Service. We have received the following letter from the team at Stop Domestic Abuse.
“Dear Emma and all involved at All Saints church. We would like to thank you for your recent Christmas Gift donations. We are extremely grateful for your contribution to our vision of a world without domestic abuse and thank you for your continued generosity. Thanks to supporters like you, we can continue to provide high quality services and much needed support to the women, children, men and families affected by domestic abuse in our community.
All Christmas Gift donations will go to those we support in refuge and those using our support services out in the community. Your kind support will have an immediate effect locally, making this Christmas a time for making happy memories with loved ones, and having presents to unwrap will make all the difference to those who have experienced domestic abuse. Thank you for making a change for the better” Ella O’Neil
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….
Our amazing flower team have filled All Saints with beautiful Christmas floral arrangements.
Look out for the golden angels heralding great JOY…how many can you spot?!
Contacts
Karen Rose Parish Administrator. 023 9226 8757 parish.admin@allsaintsdenmead.org.uk
Revd. Canon Emma Racklyeft Vicar. 023 9226 2647 vicar@allsaintsdenmead.org.uk
Revd. Buffy Langdown Curate. 07747 819918 curate@allsaintsdenmead.org.uk
Lewis Jones Youth & Families Community Leader. 07780 981235 youth@allsaintsdenmead.org.uk
Peter Mitchell Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) peter.mitchell@allsaintsdenmead.org.uk
Amanda Hillyard Churchwarden. 07808 198827
Mike Gaskin Churchwarden. 07734 325284