Over the past few months it has become increasingly apparent that All Hallows will end this financial year with a substantial deficit – well into five figures. The main reasons for this are threefold:

• Loss of Planned Giving income, largely due to the effects of the economic downturn on several of our most generous givers
• Reduced Car Park revenue as there were no summer concerts at Twickenham Stadium in 2009
• Increased costs for maintaining our Grade I listed church and ageing Parish Hall

In addition to the above, we are required to pay our Common Fund contribution of over £50,000 per annum to the Diocese of London and we receive absolutely no financial help from anywhere.  We are not profligate spenders, our income is used wisely and costs are kept to the bare minimum.

This situation is clearly one that cannot continue and we are considering how best to reduce the existing deficit, whilst ensuring we end next year in a healthier financial position.  The favoured strategy at the moment is to approach those who do not currently give to the church through Planned Giving but who nevertheless feel part of the All Hallows community.  Many people simply do not realise that churches such as ours must be totally self sufficient, on top of which we have to pay the Common Fund payment to the Diocese.  We also plan to hold a major fundraising event, perhaps another Sponsored Abseil down the Tower. 

Further details of our financial situation will appear in the Annual Report and Accounts and I would like to invite everyone living in the Parish to attend our Annual Meeting, which will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday April 21^st at 8 p.m.

In the meantime if you have any suggestions, or would like to make a donation, please could you be in touch.  Contact details appear elsewhere in this Newsletter.

Lent 2010

After the excesses of Shrove Tuesday (pancake day!) Ash Wednesday is on February 17^th this year and there will be a Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes at 9.30 a.m. in the Chapel and 8.00 p.m. in the Church.  On this reflective day we call to mind our sins, ask and receive God’s forgiveness and resolve to do better during Lent as we prepare for the joy of Easter.

Lent Courses

Sermon Series on prayer:

10 a.m. on Sundays February 21^st, March 7^th and March 21^st

Countless people struggle with prayer, not realising that there is no ‘right way’ to pray.  There are many different approaches to prayer and finding what works for you at this stage in your life requires constant experimentation.  These three linked addresses will explore a very different way of praying, which may or may not suit you – come along and find out!

Lent Study Group – Meals with Jesus:

An exploration of occasions in the Bible when Jesus ate and drank with others:

Mondays at 8 p.m.- repeated on Wednesdays at 10.30 a.m.- starting on Monday 22^nd February for five weeks, the last one being on Wednesday 24^th March.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Family Passover Supper:

The chance to experience an authentic Jewish Passover - children are essential to the proceedings!

Saturday March 27^th at 5 p.m.

(Tickets will be on sale from the Parish Office and will include a light supper)

Details of worship at All Hallows during Holy Week and Easter will be sent out with the March Newsletter

Traditionally, Christians are called to pay particular attention to three things during Lent:

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Almsgiving

I hope and pray that the courses and worship on offer at All Hallows will give you the impetus you need to keep a Holy Lent this year. 

Mother Nicola

We are running sessions on Bell Ringing for those aged 10 and upwards.  The courses began in January 2010 and will run for 4 weeks per half term.

The dates for the rest of the 1st half of this term will be:

• 7th February
• 14th February
• 21st February
  

Dates for the 2nd half of this term will be announced soon!

The sessions will be held in the Bell Tower on Sundays from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, and will be lead by Otto Benz, our Bell Ringing Co-ordinator.

The courses are open to all from the age of 10 upwards, but if you are younger and are able to pull the bells you are most welcome.

Though ringing the bells is an important part of worship, it is also:

• a fun way of learning a new and different skill
• a time and place to meet and spend time with friends
• a chance to have the opportunity to be a part of the church
• a valued hobby/ability to have on your cv for university

If you are interested in joining in the fun, please can you either sign up in the Narthex in Church or call Alex in the office on 020 8241 2345 or email on parishadmin@allhallowstwick.org.uk

10th Twickenham (All Hallows) Guides are holding a Quiz Night on Saturday 13th February at All Hallows Parish Hall.  The event opens at 7.30pm for the first round to start at 8.00pm.  Price is £5 per person which includes a cheese plate supper.  There will be a cash bar and a raffle.  This will be an adult only evening and you are welcome to enter as a team (maximum of 6 players!!) or you can come along on the evening and join with other to make up a team. 

Entry forms are available from the back of the church or in the hall foyer, or you can contact the Parish Office to book your tickets (020 8241 2345) parishadmin@allhallowstwick.org.uk

The Breakfast Club is for children from Year 7 upwards (11 years and up).

The Breakfast Club meet in the Long Room at the back of the Main Hall from 10.00am, where refreshments are available.  The group is run by a youth leader and  involves a discussion on many subjects, including Christian fellowship and subjects which affect our young people in the community.  The session concludes with everyone coming into the church for the Eucharist and final hymn.

Continue reading »

We are holding a Talent Show on Sunday 9th May where everybody has the chance to chow off their skills…singing, dancing, playing and instrument, juggling… etc…  the Show commences at 3.00pm.

Cost is £5.00 per entry into the Show and £5 entry on the day for those in the audience - price includes afternoon tea at the interval!!

Please remember - this is a fun event and not to be taken too seriously.  It’s not the X Factor but there will be small prizes given out…

If you wish to enter the Talent Show or are interested in coming along to watch, please contact the Parish Office on 020 8241 2345 or parishadmin@allhallowstwick.org.uk

There will be a service of Confirmation at All Hallows on Sunday 23rd May on the Feast of Pentecost.  The Confirmation will be taken by The Rt Revd Paul Williams, the Bishop of Kensington. 

If you wish to be confirmed, please can you contact the Revd Nicola Stanley (020 8892 1322  nvs@mosaicpublishing.co.uk).

Confirmation classes will begin soon.

Did any among you spot our (not!) deliberate mistake from the last Newsletter?  Yes, we got the date wrong for the Requiem Mass we are celebrating in November.  The actual date is Sunday 8^th November and the service begins at 6.30pm.  We all know mistakes happen, and here at All Hallows we are very busy, so mistakes fall through the net at times.  We’d like to use this opportunity to tell you more about our Parish Office and how it works. Continue reading »

Hello! Shlama! I am Gareth Hughes, and I’m pleased to come to Twickenham as assistant priest with Mother Nicola at All Hallows’. I originate from Exeter, in the land of pasties and clotted cream. I love flying kites, cycling, Syriac and Everton FC.

I was ordained in Durham Cathedral twelve years ago, and have served as priest in two parishes: one in Darlington and the other in rural Wiltshire. Here at All Hallows’, I shall be working part time with Mother Nicola, concelebrating on Sunday mornings and ministering around the parish a couple days a week.

Continue reading »

Choral Evensong and Benediction takes place on the following dates throughout 2010:

• Sunday 28th February
  The Second Sunday in Lent
• Sunday 21st March
  A Service of music and readings for Passiontide
• Sunday 4th April
  Easter Sunday
• Sunday 25th April
  Choral Eucharist
• Sunday 6th June
  The Feast of Corpus Christi
• Sunday 4th July
  The Feast of St Thomas
• Sunday 19th September (5.00pm)
  Open House London Weekend
• Sunday 17th October
  The Feast of St Theresa
• Sunday 28th November
  Lighten our Darkness - A service of music and readings for Advent