All Saints Church Childwall

Just a short mail to thank you all for the 1st Anniversary Baptism card for Alexander, which we received yesterday evening.

It was a lovely gesture and very thoughtful and kind.

We have attached a few pictures of Alexander George with his big sister Hermione Lydia for you. They are growing SO fast, yet it doesn’t seem five minutes since we were cradling our tiny newborn babies!

With love and kind regards

Matthew & Jennifer Kiveal-Duffy

Alexanders Baptism 2008

SERMON TITLE: FAMILY – TASTE & SEE

READINGS: 1 John3 v 1-7 & Luke 24 v 36-49

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What does a Church look like when you knock the building down? This was one of the questions that was in my mind as I attended Christ Church, Norris Green for two weeks in February as part of my ongoing training as a Curate.

A few years ago the congregation of this church recognised that their church building which had formed the place of worship for a number of years was now not viable. The Vicar, Revd Helen Edwards, had the difficult but necessary decision of leading the church in closing it down and moving elsewhere. Instead, they decided to hold their Sunday services in the hall at their local primary school.

Not long after the services moved to the primary school, and after year or so of complications in being able to knock down the traditional church building, they decided that they would convert the vicarage (the vicar moved to a house on the estate) into a community centre. This vision transformed the building into meeting rooms, a kitchen, office space and a prayer room. Through this space and their continuing vision to be a presence of Jesus in their community, they now employ a children and families worker, an elderly person’s worker and a community development worker.

To conclude I found the people to be very friendly and welcoming and significantly there was a sense of family amongst the people who I met. In answer to the question I posed at the beginning, the answer is probably that, for this congregation, knocking the building down meant they were reminded that the Church is made up of people, and their church existed regardless of where they met to worship. I got to know a group of people who are living as part of their community and bringing the good news of Jesus to it.

Revd Scott Davies

In June 2009, I will be going to Texas, USA, to a summer camp called All Saints Camp and Conference Centre for 10 weeks.

All Saints is a Christian camp, located on 660 acres of forest on the shores of Lake Texoma. When I am there I will be a leader to the campers as they investigate their faith and enjoy the outdoors. As a Cabin Counsellor, I will be coaching archery and be spending time with a group of boys aged up to 10 with another leader, in the evening I will take part in worship and other camp-wide activities.

The different activities All Saints include are archery, high rope course, low rope course, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, orienteering, hiking, scavenger hunts etc. The Summer Camp at All Saints begins in early June, for 6 – 18 year olds. There is also a Family Camp for all ages.

This summer the summer camp curriculum is called “You are Here” and it takes the students through the Church year in a week. The goal of this is to encourage and empower campers to live out their Christian faith as they live out the Christian year. A typical day starts at 7.00 a.m. and finishes at 10.30 p.m.

I am really excited and I’m looking forward to meeting new friends at All Saints, Texas and taking part in their Episcopal worship. I am sure this trip will be a life changing experience.

Jonathan Addy

SERMON TITLE: RECOGNISING JESUS IN THE SHARING OF HIS PEACE

READINGS: . 1 John 1 v 1 to 2 v 2 & John 20 vs 19-31

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