July Spire Inspection 

September sees a return to normal as far a church life is concerned. The coffee shop opens on 3 September and slips into its usual routine after a four week break to allow for the Summer Holiday Club and cleaning. Other events in the month include the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust Bike 'n Hike on the 11th. Please support our walkers or riders on this day by sponsoring their efforts. The Trust provides much needed support to churches throughout the two counties.

In response to a survey of residents of the new estates around the town that Bill Britt conducted as part of his ordination training, the PCC has decided to hold several events in coming months to help build a sense of community. These activities include organising a Community Fun Day at Astral Park, forming a new mother and toddlers group for local families, holding Macmillan coffee mornings and going Christmas carolling in the estates. More information as it happens.

As a new venture to raise money for All Saints Preservation Trust, a ‘Make & Sell’ event is being staged in All Saints on Saturday 25 September. There will be many hand made items offered to see, admire and purchase, so please come between 10am and 3pm to help make the ‘Make & Sell’ a sell out event. More details from Janet Wenborn.

A small group from All Saints joined the organiser, Jean Waldock,and other Christians from Stanbridge, Dunstable and Tottenhoe for a pilgrimage to the Passion Play at Oberammergau last June. We stayed for the most part in the Austrian Tyrol, with a couple of days in Bavaria.

The Play was amazing, and we were united with the cast in a supreme act of worship,which enfolded before us. It brought home the severity, cruelty, degradation and death which our Dear Lord Jesus Christ endured for us. The joy of the resurrection was portrayed with fire, many candles and music. The orchestral music throughout the play was wonderful, as were the Choral singers who introduced each part. All the group agreed it was an awe-inspiring experience.

Our hotel stay in the Tyrol was surrounded by snow-capped mountains and beautiful scenery, and included a Sunday Mass in the local church. There were opportunities for our group to go on mountain railways to see the glaciers and visit other places of interest. Our final excursion was a day in Innsbruck. I thought one of the outstanding parts of the pilgrimage was to meet new friends and enjoy meals and conversations with fellow Christians, in magnificent surroundings. Pam Skinner