All Saints Highertown
  • Home
  • Safeguarding
  • All Saints Church
    • Blog
    • Sermons
    • Transforming Mission
    • Anti-Racism
    • Hall & Room Hire
    • Truro Lifehouse
    • Our vision
    • This Sunday Rotas
    • Who we are >
      • Staff Team
      • Ministry Team
      • Church Council
    • Where we are
    • Churches Together in Truro
    • Baldhu Church
  • Church Life
    • Life Events >
      • Weddings
      • Baptisms
      • Funerals
    • ASH Youth Club
    • Christians in Politics Course
    • Sunday Services
    • Toddle
    • Home Groups & Bible Study
    • Fellowship Groups
  • Community
    • Hall & Room Hire
    • Acts 435
    • Cornwall Children's Clothes Bank
    • The Foodbank
    • Christians Against Poverty
  • GIve
  • Contact Us

Acts 435 - using the generosity of the crowd to still the storm

11/9/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Acts 435 was inspired by the works of the early church, as described in the Acts 4:32 to 4:35. The early disciples shared their possessions and passed money to the apostles to give to anyone who had need. Acts 435 was set up in 2009 in recognition of the increasing needs of people in UK poverty in a time of recession and austerity.
 
It was the brainchild of a Yorkshire businessman who recognised the donor fatigue in charity giving where donors want to be connected with a specific cause and know their donation is not just going into a general pot of funds. This is particularly important for those with only a small amount to give, so that they can be sure their gift will make a difference.
 
By partnering with local churches and charities, Acts 435 enables a direct connection of people in need with people who want to help. Advocates, who are local volunteers, meet with clients who have been referred by local agencies such as the Foodbank or job centre where a crisis need has been identified. This can be anything from being able to top up an electricity meter, buying school uniform, purchasing work boots or replacing a fridge. Requests can be made for a maximum of £120 and a limit of three requests per client. The advocate posts the request on the website and donors can give online in amounts from £5 to £120. Requests are essentially met by crowd-funding and 100% of every donation goes to the person in need.
 
Acts 435 is a very real way of giving to those in need in your local community and giving a helping hand to those who are really struggling. It maybe that you yourself need a helping hand at a time of crisis. To be referred you will need to been seen by an official agency who will refer you on. You don’t need to have a faith to be referred, Acts is for all those in need.
 
A small gift can make a big difference in lifting a burden or preventing a crisis for the most vulnerable in our society. If you would like more information about how you can help, or be helped, please contact one of the advocates, via the online contact form, at All Saints Church (asht.org.uk) or at allsaints435@gmail.com. You can also get more information from acts435.org.uk

0 Comments

Pray for rain?

26/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am writing this on the hottest day of the year so far. A day that has followed several very hot days. Before I go on, please know this, I’m not going to moan about the weather. The sun is glorious, its warmth is welcome, the cool waters of Cornwall are invigorating. It can bring the best out of people (and I might add the worst too, out of the hot and bothered), but with the sun out and the blue sky stretching ahead of you, some things seem just a bit more possible than they did before. Those jobs in the allotment you’ve been putting off are there for the taking. The very delayed walk on the beach has come. Even that once lost opportunity to have a long G and T (substitute with drink of choice) with your feet up has now returned. Somehow the world feels a little bit better. Somehow more whole and more restored when the sun is shining. 

Having said that, the heat can get a bit much and therefore escaping to the shade is definitely needed from time to time. Additionally, more time should be given to our loved ones who don’t cope as well in the hot weather, in the same way they don’t cope well in the cold. Which is really my point. For some the weather comes as a blessing and for others a curse. 

At the beginning of May I was asked to lead a Rogation Service for a neighbouring parish. Rogation Sunday is a very special service in which the community asks for God’s blessing upon the fields, the herds, the newly seeded crops and the tools of farming. In my talk to a church full of farmers I likened good farming to good discipleship. I said, “a good farmer doesn’t just pray for rain, but prepares for it!”. I thought I’d made a strong case for the idea of preparing for God’s blessing and expecting it, rather than praying for it and wondering whether it will come at all. 

As soon as I said this, laughter struck a good portion of my audience. After the service one of the farmers came to me and said, “your in Cornwall son, there’s never any need to pray for rain!” He was right, we get plenty of rain. 
The bible is full of references to weather. Rain, wind, sun and snow are all described equally as blessing as well as disaster. It is one of the many areas in which Scripture and Science are aligned – in scripture and in textbooks weather is describe as chaotic, unpredictable, uncertain and indeterminate. Yes, we have the seasons, day and night, but even in this ordered creation we still know to fear the weather for its power and ferocity. Sadly, our chaotic weather patterns are more frequently a disaster than they are a blessing due to the impact our 21st century lifestyle is having on the global climate. 

Unpredictable weather is also a used as a metaphor in scripture for the unpredictability of life. This was evident in Job’s life, as well as in the disciples who found themselves overwhelmed by the storm over the Sea of Galilee. In every case anchoring one’s self to God was the calming influence both over the waves, wind and thunder, as well as over life’s tempest. 

Whilst we still experience one of the hottest summers on record maybe we could think about where one might go to anchor ourselves to God, and keep cool. The coolest places are definitely churches. These old stone buildings that remain open during the day are the perfect refuge from the sun. They are also wonderful places of faith that speak of God’s power over chaos, his comfort in our struggles, and his healing over wounds. Cornwall has many beautiful church buildings why not find some shade!

All Saints Highertown is open most days for prayer and some cool shade. Please pop in, you'd be very welcomed.
​Rev Jeremy Putnam

0 Comments

Trees planted by streams of living water

18/5/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
There are times when scripture has to linger and loiter in our minds until we learn its timely relevance. Indeed, there are passages that we know well and have been faithful companions for much of our lives, until that is, we receive a divine nudge that provokes a new perspective, and a sudden change of thought. It was therefore my delight to have such a nudge last week as I prepared for our Sunday service. Psalm 1 ‘…those who delight in the Law of the Lord, are like trees planted by streams of water, yielding much fruit and whose leaf does not wither.’

​This passage has always had an element of the prosperity gospel about it. If we trust in the Lord then we will be blessed, in health, wealth and faith. It was often thought that Christians who flourished in practical ways, i.e. nice job, big house, and good health, must have a strong faith in God, since scripture says that those who delight in God are like trees planted by streams of water. I have been guilty myself of thinking that faith in God equals good times.

What we forget is that God’s blessing falls on the faithful and unfaithful alike, he pours his grace upon the righteous as well as the un-righteous. And there are many examples of this in the bible.

​During morning prayer this week I’ve been reading about the Exodus and the struggle of God’s people in the wilderness. Despite the lack of faith shown by early Israel God provided manna which fell with the dew on everything and everyone. It reminded me that the sun rises for all; the rain covers the rich and poor; and mercy is shown to the just and unjust alike. So what does the passage from Psalm 1 mean?
It seems that today it is blatantly obvious that we live in an unfair world. Too many still live in extreme poverty, too many still persecuted, too many still at the hands of dictators. Nearer to home, too many need foodbanks, need hand-outs and too many are on waiting lists for life saving surgery. Where’s the manna?

I turn back to Psalm 1, and I am also drawn to John 10:10, to Genesis 1 & 2 and Revelation 21, and I am reminded of the nature of God’s abundant and creative blessing. The tree described in Psalm 1 is the tree of life Jesus Christ, that is planted in us. Despite our physical condition, or what the world throws at us, or where life leads us or what our bank statement looks like, faith in Jesus Christ and accepting him as our Saviour, means we are planted – in the strongest terms for all eternity, like a tree by streams of water. Irrespective of our years, of our mistakes, of our successes, in Jesus, we find a place in the new Eden, as Paul puts it, we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5). So look for Jesus in all things and you will be eternally blessed.

Yours in Christ
Jeremy



1 Comment

    Authors

    A collection of thoughts and reflections from the people of All Saints. 

    Archives

    January 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015

    Categories

    All
    Activism
    Acts 435
    Advent
    All Saints
    All Souls
    Alzheimers Society
    Ascension Day
    Ash Wednesday
    Babel
    Beginnings
    Bible
    Black Friday
    Black Lives Matter
    Blessing
    Brazil
    Brexit
    Brokenness
    Caasar
    Calais
    Calm
    Change
    Chaos
    Chartism
    Child
    Children
    Christlike
    Christmas
    Christmas Day
    Christ The Redeemer
    Churches
    Churches Together In Truro
    Civil Partnerships
    Climate Change
    Clothes Bank
    Community
    Compassion
    Connection
    Coronavirus
    Course
    Covid19
    Creation
    Creationtide
    Credit Union
    Curse
    Daily Mirror
    Daniel
    Darkness
    Desert Fathers
    Desert Mothers
    Discipleship
    Division
    Domestic Violence
    Easter
    Education
    Election
    Emmanuel
    Empire
    Environment
    Environmental Theology
    Epiphany
    Equality
    EU
    Faith
    Faith And Family
    Festivals
    Foodbank
    Football
    Freedom
    Funding
    Fundraising
    Gap
    Garden
    General Election
    Generosity
    Genesis
    George Floyd
    Giving
    Giving Up
    God
    God With Us
    Gogglebox
    Gospel
    Government
    Grace
    Halloween
    Harvest
    Headship
    Healing
    Hero
    Hole
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Week
    Homeless
    Homelessness
    Home Schooling
    Hope
    Immanuel
    Imperialism
    Incarnation
    Isaiah
    Jeremiah
    Jesus
    Justice
    Kavanaugh
    Kernow Credit Union
    Language
    Learning
    Lent
    Life
    Lifehouse
    Light
    Listening
    Live Godspeed
    Love
    Loved
    Love Your Enemies
    Luke
    Marriage
    Martyr
    Mary
    Mary Magdalene
    Media
    Midnight Mass
    Migrants
    Ministry
    Mission
    Monastery
    Monologue
    Mother
    Mutuality
    Nativity
    Nuns
    Olympics
    Oppression
    Orphans
    Parenting
    Parliament
    Passion
    Pastoral
    Paul
    Peace
    Pentecost
    Politics
    Pollution
    Poverty
    Prayer
    Prodigal Son
    Protest
    Protesting
    Psalm 139
    Psalms
    Racism
    Recycling
    Referendum
    Reflection
    Refuge
    Refugees
    Refugee Week
    Religion
    Remembering
    Remembrance Sunday
    Resistance
    Resurrection
    Righteousness
    Rights
    Romania
    Rome
    Rough
    Running
    Same-sex
    Samuel
    Sermon
    Shared
    Sharing
    Silence
    Sleepers
    Smartphones
    Society
    Stewardship
    Stories
    Study
    Suffering
    Suffragettes
    The 10 10 Project
    The Ascension
    The Cross
    Transition
    Tree Of Life
    Truro Methodist Church
    Unique
    Unity
    Valentine
    Victory
    Vision
    Vote
    Walking
    War
    Weather
    Wholeness
    Wilderness
    Witness
    Worship
    Young People
    Zero

    RSS Feed

SAFEGUARDING
Ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding please contact:

Our Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator, Mrs Irene Mortimore who can be contacted through the church office on 01872 495121. | And our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Sarah Acraman who can be contacted on 01872 274351.
​Out of Hours for after 5pm and weekends: 01208 251300

In emergency situation:
Local Authority Children’s Social Care: 0300 123 1116 | Local Authority Adult’s Social Care: 0300 1234131
Picture

​Reporting hate crime:

You can do this by: Contacting Devon and Cornwall Police   
​or Stop Hate UK
or Stop Hate Crime / Stop Hate UK BSL service 
​or CrimeStoppers
​

GIVING

Picture

PARTNERSHIP LINKS


​Transformation Cornwall
Churches Together in Truro
Transforming Mission Cornwall
Cornwall Refugee Resource Network
Truro Foodbank
​Acts 435
Christians Against Poverty
Cornwall Childrens Clothes Bank
Alcoholics Anonymous​
Singing for the Brain
Truro Memory Cafe
Cornwall Hugs
Kernow Credit Union
Inclusion Cornwall
Cornwall Faith Forum
A Million Acts of Sanctuary
Open Hearts Open Borders
Cafe Disruptif
Climate Vision
​
Transition Truro
Penn an Dre Residents Association
St Petrocs Society
​Cornwall Womens Refuge Trust
​Truro Street Pastors

SOCIAL

TOGETHER

Picture
Picture
Picture

CONTACT US


​All Saints Church
Tresawls Road
Highertown
Truro TR1 3LD

01872 495121 | office@asht.org.uk
The Parish Office is open
Mondays 1pm to 4pm
Thursdays 8am to 5pm

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HIGHERTOWN AND BALDHU is a registered charity and has the registered charity number 1179768.

​Visiting
​
Meeting Software
PCC Forms
Staff Team
Ministry Team
Church Council

Data Protection Privacy Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Anti-racism Policy
Environmental Policy
Lettings Policy
Health & Safety Policy
​
Equal Opportunities Policy

Room Booking Terms and Conditions
Room Booking Data Policy
  • Home
  • Safeguarding
  • All Saints Church
    • Blog
    • Sermons
    • Transforming Mission
    • Anti-Racism
    • Hall & Room Hire
    • Truro Lifehouse
    • Our vision
    • This Sunday Rotas
    • Who we are >
      • Staff Team
      • Ministry Team
      • Church Council
    • Where we are
    • Churches Together in Truro
    • Baldhu Church
  • Church Life
    • Life Events >
      • Weddings
      • Baptisms
      • Funerals
    • ASH Youth Club
    • Christians in Politics Course
    • Sunday Services
    • Toddle
    • Home Groups & Bible Study
    • Fellowship Groups
  • Community
    • Hall & Room Hire
    • Acts 435
    • Cornwall Children's Clothes Bank
    • The Foodbank
    • Christians Against Poverty
  • GIve
  • Contact Us