7/31/2019 Vicar's Letter (September 2012)

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a family likeness?The responses to our Count Me In!survey over the summerdid more than recruitout our teams, they alsogave us a snapshot ofour Church DNA! We

asked "Can you sum upwhy you come to AllSouls?" and threw all theanswers into a 'wordle-iser' to get this image: It'sone way of picturing whatmakes us "All Souls" and I think it makes for encouragingreading.

As we've grown in size, we've sought to keep our core character, so that whateverway people connect with All Souls (a Sunday service, Little Souls, Ivybridge...), they'llmeet something recognisably and consistently "us". I'm really grateful for that giftof God - not to be taken for granted, but worked on and nurtured.

one church, four congregations...That consistent DNA becomes especially important now we effectively have four congregations. The Sunday at 10.30am is our "shop window to the world", beingthe most likely place for visitors to try and our largest gathering. We also have acongregation serving Ivybridge (in the Bridgelink Cafe fortnightly) and a regularMonday group serving (amongst others) a growing communitiy of retired people.For this month, however, here's a spotlight on the afternoon service:

4.30pm every Sunday - a home for those whose children play Sundaymorning sport and for anyone with teenagers (the "Underground" teens'group meets then). There are also those who come simply because theirSunday pattern works better that way and others who pop in occasionallywhen they've missed the morning service. Why not give it a try sometimethis coming term - even if it's just a one-off visit? There are children'sgroups for pre-schoolers right up to secondary and the shape and 'feel'of the service are recognisable 'All Souls'.

...and one prayer weekendSomething we're sharing across the congregations is ourprayer weekend from 13th to 16th September. We'recalling it Space because it's about giving one hour spacesfor us to pray in. 24 hours a day for three days, the church

will have a dedicated prayer space that you book [ www.bit.ly/prayerweekend - orSunday 9th at church) either to use on your own or with with friends.

On Friday 14th, there'll be an evening of worship and prayer and on

Saturday morning early, there's a Men's Breakfast with a prayer focus.

Whichever congregation you're part of, I hope you'll find a way tobe part of the Space weekend and join us in prayer for oneanother, our community and beyond. 6th Sept 2012