Would you like to improve the comfort of your back and reduce stress? A new course, Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs, will be starting at Oakham All Saints Church Hall in November. Specialised, small group weekly classes, taught over 12 weeks, are beginner friendly and will motivate and teach you to improve your health for the long term. Simple, gentle and effective.…

It is with much sadness that we note the death of the Revd Helen Rayment on Friday 19 October. Helen was licensed as Associate Priest at Ketton and Tinwell in the Rutland Deanery, where she ministered with her husband Andrew. Prior to this Helen served as Vicar of Weedon Bec with Everdon and Dodford and has held permission to officiate in the…

On the second Sunday of the month, the Holy Communion service at Teigh will now be at 9:00am rather than 9:15am, and also, as from now, Evensong on the third Sunday will be at the Winter time of 4:00pm. Brooke Evensong on the first and third Sundays also moves to its Winter time of 3:00pm.

After a summer break, we are re-starting the All Saints Oakham sermon discussion group, after the 10:30 service. It will take place in the Trinity Chapel, for 20-30 minutes after the service; some brief notes on the sermon will be available, and some possible questions for discussion. Any questions or comments to Revd Iain Osborne or Carol Scothern.

Next time you are in Tesco Oakham remember to vote for All Saints’ Church, Braunston Bats in Churches project for funding of up to £4,000 by Tesco’s Bags of Success scheme. The final funding depends on voting in the Oakham Tesco store between 1st November and 31st December. The funding will help improve coexistence of humans and bats in our ancient church.…

We are expecting that we will have 600+ people at this year’s service, and Peter Kinal asks for help please after the 10:30 service on the 11th to set up chairs & move pews. If you can help it will take about 10/15 minutes.

A message from Tansy Castledine, Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral: Hearty congratulations to all those who participated in the DCF; it was a splendid afternoon and we accomplished a huge amount together, as a result of your incredible hard work and dedication both in advance and on the day. I hope that you enjoyed the service as much as I did,…

It is now just three weeks to the Autumn on Saturday 17 November, 9:30am to 12noon. This is your opportunity to take stock at home and to bring in any good, saleable items for our stalls. There will be the usual bric-a-brac, preserves, handicrafts, tombola, candles, cake stalls, and a separate jewellery and cosmetics stall. There is also a plant/gardening/environmental stall, so…

It has been pointed out that the inscriptions on the war memorial are becoming obscured by the growth of moss and lichen. Is there anyone who would like to take on the job of cleaning it – advice on how to do this is available?

Denise McDonald is starting to compile the list of overnight stays for the travelling nativity – please have a word with her if you would like to host it.

Congratulations to Robin Robson, who has recently retired from the position of Reader in the Oakham Team, and Michael Ellard (member of the Oakham 8:00am congregation) who have both been appointed to the status of Reader Emeritus.

You only have until 5th November to visit Peterborough Cathedral and see Tim Peake’s Soyuz spacecraft and his space suit. So far over 80,000 people have made that journey. Our Laudamus choir were at the Cathedral on Saturday 13th October, and were astounded to see the number of people there. The Cathedral was closed to the public from 2:30pm until 6:30pm to…

As we approach the end of the year, the time has come to determine how this year’s Mission Giving from All Saints Oakham will be allocated, and you are invited to let us know if you have a charity that you would like to be considered. Please speak to Peter Hill or Michael Wilson (01572 720853 or michael.wilson@oakhamteam.org.uk). We aim to achieve…

Many in the congregation will remember with affection Margaret Dehqani-Tafti, who died two years ago this month. The Holy Communion service on Friday 26th October at 10:00am in the Trinity Chapel at Oakham will be a service to commemorate Margaret, and give thanks for the bountiful fruit her life and Christian witness have borne. All are welcome.

‘There is greater rejoicing in heaven over the one that was lost…’ Iain would like to thank all who helped him look for his mislaid ordination stole, which has turned up. Like a squirrel with his nut, he had put it away in a ‘safe place’, and forgotten where! Apologies to all whose time was wasted.

A big thank you to everyone who supported the stall at the recent Team Service at Langham, the sales on the morning amounted to £64.30. The next stall at Oakham will be after the 10:30am service on 21st October. Denise.

It is now officially Autumn and so it’s time to make the annual request for any useful items for the Autumn Sale on Saturday 17 November, 9:30am to 12noon. We had a splendid response last year and we are trying very hard to match and even better our provision this year. This is your opportunity to take stock at home and to…

More sheep are required for the Oakham Advent Travelling Crib – if you can help, please contact Margaret Tyler 01572 724799 (pattern available).

The Christmas Festival at Langham usually takes place every other year, so you may have been expecting one this year – however, for various reasons, it has been decided to postpone it on this occasion, but we look forward to its return in 2019 in an even better and improved format!

Total sales for the last three months amounted to a wonderful £482.92, averaging out at over £160.00 a month. Thank You. The stall is here after today’s 10:30 Harvest Festival, do come and have a look whilst you are having your cup of fairly traded tea or coffee. Denise (722729)

Would you be able and willing to become a Volunteer Driver for Voluntary Action Rutland, Transport Section?. We currently have around 50 Volunteer Drivers taking Rutland’s frail, elderly, disabled and vulnerable to hospital and other medical appointments as well as social visits etc. We cover local hospitals such as Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General, Glenfield, Nottingham City, Queens Medical Centre, both Peterborough…

For a number of years Traidcraft have been raising funds from the recycling of jewellery and banknotes. When I was first made aware of the scheme £9000 had already been raised. To date that figure has increased to over £37,700! If you would like to become involved in the scheme and help increase this already wonderful figure, please help yourself to one…

Thank you to Gina Baker and her friends from Birmingham Conservatoire for putting on such a splendid concert on 1 September. It raised £780 in aid of bellringers to go towards the purchase of a wireless simulator and general repairs.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed food and help in last Sunday’s service, Again, such a lovely array of delicious offerings, everything is so easy and fun when we all work together. Best wishes from Araminta and the Catering Committee..

It is with regret that we announce the death of Joyce Halliday, regular member of the congregation at Oakham. Joyce’s funeral service will take place on Friday 5th October at 12 noon.

BRAS! If your’e having a clear out please note that most charity shops don’t take bras but as they often cost us a lot of money they are too nice to throw in the bin. A UK based charity that sends unwanted bras to African villages to improve hygiene and prevent the rape of young girls and women, as wearing a bra…

On Saturday 29th September we are celebrating and giving thanks to God for licensed lay ministry in our diocese. We will be licensing new lay ministers and also re-licensing all the existing ones. This will be a great day and a sign of how lay ministry is flourishing both in our diocese and also in the Church of England. Please could I…

Our very own, diocesan-branded bamboo cups. Each year, 100 billion single use coffee cups end up as landfill. Our 12oz reusable coffee cup is made with natural bamboo fibre – one of the world’s most sustainable resources. Fully dishwasher safe, suitable for hot and cold drinks, with a resealable ‘no-drip’ lid. (Not suitable for microwave.) Bring and re-use at diocesan events. Keep…

October 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Traidcraft. Traidcraft was formed as a Christian response to fighting poverty and in their words… Since we were founded in 1979, Traidcraft has lead the way in proving that fair trade could work professionally. This movement of radical, church-based individuals began by importing goods directly from artisans and growers and distributing them…

An Independent Examiner is needed for Whissendine PCC (St Andrew’s Church) accounts. If you are interested in volunteering for this role please contact the treasurer, Rosemary Powell, for an informal discussion (whisstreasurer@btinternet.com or 07753 326147). You do not need a formal accountancy qualification, just some experience of business and financial matters and ideally charities.

We are delighted to announce that Jenni Duffy will serve her curacy in the Rutland Water Benefice following her ordination as deacon in July 2019. This is an exciting and challenging time for her and her family, so please pray for them during this final year of training and time of transition, as well as for the Rutland Water Benefice and Pippa…

Caroline MacKinnon (skydiver) will be leaving Rutland on 13th September, and moving to be near her family. She wishes all the congregation good health and happiness, and will miss the hours she and her husband spent in worship with you all. Her address will be Flat 7, Lynchmere House, 25 Heath Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EH – if ever passing that way…

Churches Together in Oakham is currently short of an Anglican lay representative. This lively group meets on the second Thursday of alternate months from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Methodist Church, to facilitate opportunities to work and worship together across the denominations in the town, e.g. Good Friday, the prayer breakfast, Lent groups, etc. If this is something which you feel you would like…

Thank you to all those who helped in kind and brought donations to the stall on the 11th August 2018 at the Butter Cross. Special thank you to Bishop’s Lodge in Leicester and all those from the Leicester Diocese who helped with the raffle. Thank you to all those who helped with fetching tables, manning the stall and in donations of cakes…

I am afraid yet again we are asking for your help, for the Institution and Induction of our new Team Rector on 23rd September. We will be serving a glass of something and a selection of delicious finger food, and if you could yet again make your wonderful offerings and drop them off in the Mayhew room from 1:00pm on the Sunday…

Join with Christians across the UK from Orkney to Penryn in this year’s National Prayer Weekend, 28-30 September! You could pray by yourself, gather some friends, in your small group, or even encourage your whole church to pray for your community. We are getting very excited about seeing God answering prayer in local communities across the UK. Have a look here for…

A reminder that this year’s Autumn Sale will take place on Saturday 17th November. Please put this date in your diary.

The group will start again on 11th September at 10:00am at 25 Willow Crescent. Any enquiries to Catriona on 01572 770429. New folk are welcome to join with us.

Apologies for delay in reporting this to you – holiday got in the way! This meeting was dominated by the need to discuss at length the Quinquennial report (an examination and overview of entire building and grounds, done every 5 years). Immediate work to be done – electrical installation improvements, removal of vegetation on parapets and louvre inspection/repair, and a crumbling window…

Churches Together in Oakham are running an Alpha Course this autumn, to be held at the Baptist Church. Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. It runs in cafés, churches, universities, homes –…

Owing to the illness of our stamp co-ordinator, we are no longer able to act as collators for used postage stamps to aid USPG, so please do not bring any further stamps. Many thanks to all who have contributed over the years, thus providing USPG with a very useful extra income.

Our church leaders met at Launde in June to discuss Mission to Oakham and to review our activities and aims, highlighting four area for future consideration: (1) more regular opportunities to meet and worship together, (2) getting to know each other better, (3) improved communication and (4) homelessness issues. There will be a further meeting on 29th October at 7:00 pm, at…

On 2nd August I am moving to Oxfordshire to be near my family. Thank you to so many of you for your loving support and prayers over the year. I shall miss you. Shirley Tovey

There will not be a stall now on 29th July, but instead after the 10:30 services at Oakham on both 5th and 12th August. Many thanks for your ongoing support. Denise.

Postcards are needed by Mission Aviation Fellowship to raise money for their work all over the world. The MAF box is on the table by the South door at Oakham and used or unused postcards can be placed inside.

It is with regret that we announce the death of Canon John Morris, husband of Sue Morris, churchwarden of Market Overton, peacefully on Saturday morning. John’s funeral will take place at Market Overton on Friday 27 July at 2:45pm.

This Christian arts and music festival is almost on our doorstep, running 24-28 August at Boughton House outside Kettering. The Sunday morning Greenbelt Eucharist is always fascinating, and can be an exhilarating spiritual experience. This year’s theme is Windrush and Carnival. The free Sunday ticket runs 10:00 to 13:00 – the service is 10:30, we think. Or you can pay for a…

With the summer upon us, we are suspending the sermon discussion group (after 10:30 service) for now. Watch this space in the autumn!

A very big thank you firstly to Jill, Della and Sally, part of our very small but positive catering committee, as well as everyone else who helped and so kindly brought their contributions on Sunday to celebrate alone side Charlotte and Iain. Thinking ahead to the appointment of our new Rector, if anyone would like to join our small but positive catering…

I am pleased to say that the knee operation seems to have gone well. I am now doing the exercises (with a Physio in the family life would not be worth living if I didn’t). I would like to thank all of you who have asked about me, sent cards, and best wishes. It will be some time before I am up…

Sales for the first half of this year have amounted to a wonderful £1298.49 which averages out at £216.41 a month, an amazing figure and my thanks go to everyone who has made this possible. The next dates for the stall are after today’s 10:30 service and again on Sundays 15th and 29th July. Denise.

The Foodbank is currently short of the following items – sponge puddings, packets of smash, long life fruit juice, long life milk, small sugar (500g), tinned custard, jam, dog food, deodorant, shampoo, shower gel, razors, shaving foam/gel, washing powder/gel & toilet rolls. We have plenty of cereals, baked beans, tea and pasta at the moment. Thanks as ever for your ongoing support.

The PCC meeting on 17 May was long but productive evening. Finance continues to be upmost in our considerations, with some promised income from the Stewardship Campaign not yet materialising. Fabric is in reasonable order, but the report of the Quinquennial inspection (16 May) was not yet available. Repairs to windows, some stonework and downpipes were necessary, and the Electrical Inspection (9/10…

David and I have been again to Sheffield to check all is in order for the visit to Kelham Island Museum and the Cathedral on 28th June. The Cathedral is a delight. Sheffield’s oldest building recently refurbished and renewed in a most interesting and sympathetic way with visitors made most welcome. We enjoyed the liturgy and music of the 10:30am Eucharist and…

Many of you will know that during the winter I was seriously ill with pneumonia and septic shock. Despite the fact that I knew how ill I was I felt calm and peaceful throughout which I’m sure was because so many people were praying for me. I can’t tell you how much it meant and will be forever grateful to you. The…

It is with regret that we record that Iris May sadly passed away on 6 June. Her funeral will be in Oakham Church on Tuesday 26 June at 2:00pm.

Many thanks to everybody who came to the Coffee Morning on 1st June. It seemed a happy occasion and it was a great success. A total of £186.40 was banked and will be sent to help MU work in this country and abroad. Thank you if you brought cakes or bought them to take home. Meg and David also sold plenty of…

Sue will be installed as the first Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys and the Diocesan Director of Mission in the Diocese of Monmouth on 7th July. Sue was Curate at Oakham with Michael Covington from 1997-2000, and is currently rector of Houghton le Spring in the Durham Diocese.

John Denny sadly passed away peacefully on 11 May. If anyone wishes to send a card, Janine has the address.

This will be held in All Saints Church Hall, Oakham on Monday 18th June from 5:00-6:00pm. Tea and cakes will be served and the Annual Report will be available in booklet form. All are welcome… do come along to hear about the work which the Foodbank have done this past year and to ask any questions.

Council / Church Briefing. Building on the introductory meeting in March, a briefing meeting for church members and the general public will be held on Thursday 7th June, 7:00-8:30pm at Oakham Baptist Church, Melton Rd, Oakham, LE15 6AY. This will advise on the statutory and community services available to support people vulnerable to homelessness. The briefing is arranged by Churches Together in…

Our cleaning team at Oakham are complete heroes – a small band, they keep the main part of the church sparkling right through the year, but if you look up at the roof you’ll see the spiders have been busy and the muck is building up again. It’s time for the Church Big Clean again! This year it’s happening on Saturdays 9…

For the time being Pamela has enough jam jars for future use. Thanks to everyone who has given some. Look out for a future request when all are used up!

Mission Aviation Fellowship, who do much good work in many countries where the terrain is difficult has given the church a box to collect postcards. They would like people to give used or unused ones as they can be sold to raise money for the charity. The box is on the table at the south door at Oakham.

The Friends of All Saints Church are looking for willing volunteers to join their small, friendly Committee to help plan social events. This is not an onerous position, as we only have committee meetings about half a dozen times a year and it would be an excellent way of meeting more people and making new friends. Contact Liz Plummer (01572 720506 or…

At the PCC meeting on 17 May the following matters were discussed: (1) Elections: Deputy Churchwardens – Peter Kinal & Robin Robson; Secretary – Marilyn Tomalin; Treasurer – Peter Hill; Standing Committee – Robin Robson & Carol Scothern; (2) Finance: Two legacies totalling £2,500 have been received recently, but in real terms we are £1,800 under budget for planned giving and £2,000…

During a recent trip to Holland and Belgium, Richard and Pauline Adams visited a number of war cemeteries and memorials to those who lost their lives in the two world wars. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War, Richard has put together a short selection of photographs taken in the UK and on the holiday, which…

For a trial period from Sunday 27th May, a group is going to meet during coffee-time after the Oakham 10:30 service, so as to discuss the sermon we have just heard. We hope this will not be a distraction from fellowship over coffee, so much as a way to develop closer personal ties by talking together and deepening what we have learned…

Our curate Iain has lost the stole in which he was ordained deacon. Please could the village churches take a look around to see if it might have been put away by accident? It is white silk, with gold embroidery (a cross, an image of the world, and one of the Holy Trinity). It has evident sentimental value, so he would be…

Did you know that there are three Time Capsules in Teigh Church? Come and have a look and read about their contents. They will be on view on Saturday and Sunday 26/27 May. The Church will be open from 9am-6pm and stewarded from 10am-4pm on both days.

Sunday 24 June is a significant day, not just for Iain and Charlotte our curates, but also in the life of All Saints and the Oakham Team and we hope that as many of you as possible will be able to come to Peterborough Cathedral at 11:00am for their ordination as priests – it is a spectacular service, full of the best…

The minutes of the meetings on 22 April will not be available until the 2019 APCM, so to keep you informed of proceedings: Alison Long and Ann Blackett have agreed to serve as Churchwardens for 2018/19, and Peter Kinal will continue as a Deputy CW; an additional Deputy CW may be appointed by the PCC. The Electoral Roll stands at 295 at…

Thy Kingdom Come is a global wave of prayer taking place between Ascension Day and Pentecost (10-20 May 2018), and will be marked locally starting with the Ascension Day Communion at the Chapel of St John & St Anne (Thu 10 May at 7:30pm), then at the regular services of Evensong (Oakham, Sun 13 May 6:00pm), Morning Prayer (Oakham, Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 14/15/16/18 May…

Calling all actors, directors, musicians, set builders, stage hands or anyone with an interest in being part of the community play The Rutlanders Return. Arts for Rutland has secured a £9,900 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to research and create a touring play and education resource about the return of military personnel to Rutland after the First World War, and the…

The Bishop of Leicester is pleased to announce the appointment of The Revd Canon Lee Francis-Dehqani who holds Permission to Officiate in the diocese and who was formerly Team Rector of the Benefice of Oakham (All Saints, Ashwell, Braunston, Brooke, Egleton, Hambleton, Langham, Market Overton, Teigh and Whissendine and Rural Dean of Rutland in the Diocese of Peterborough, as Interim Team Rector…

The advertisement for new Team Rector is in the Church Times again this week, and is also on the Team and Diocesan websites. Interviews will take place on 21 June and if all goes well it is hoped that someone might be in post during September. Please keep praying for the people who are involved in the recruitment process, and for all…

Charlotte, one of our curates, will be attempting to cycle the Coast to Coast route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth over 5/6 May with a team from the Snowdrop Project which provides long term community support for victims of human trafficking (www.snowdropproject.co.uk). If you would like to give to this cause, her fund-raising page is at www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/charlottec2c, or you can leave donations in…

You may be surprised to know that this well-known charity effort is only a month away, from 13 to 19 May. We need help to visit a local area, inviting donations to Christian Aid, a charity supported by All Saints. If you are willing to join in this week, please contact me by phone asap, to arrange to visit a nearby street.…

The Fairtrade stall will be at the Team Service at Whissendine on 29th April – do come and support it if you can. Thanks, Denise.

The Foodbank is currently short of the following items – sponge puddings, packets of smash, long life fruit juice, long life milk, small sugar (500g) deodorant, shampoo, razors, shaving foam/gel, washing powder/gel & toilet rolls. We have plenty of cereals and porridge, baked beans, tea, pasta and pasta sauces, fizzy drinks and cordials, most tinned goods, tootpaste & brushes and shower gel…

Now that there is a secure donation box on the wall by the West Door the Church Publications have been reinstated on The Friends stand near the North Door. That includes the attractive cards of All Saints’ Church painted by Alan Oliver. (Large size £2. Pack of 4 notelets £4) All proceeds are used for the benefit of the church.

The summer programme for ASK/ASH is now available here, and Charlotte is looking for volunteers to help lead various sessions! So please have a look if you feel you could help on a given Sunday morning, either to lead a session or to be there as a safeguarding adult. There is loads of material which can be used, on a variety of…

Sunday 24 June is a significant day, not just for Iain and Charlotte our curates, but also in the life of All Saints and the Oakham Team and we very much hope that a number of you will feel able to make the journey to Peterborough Cathedral that morning for our ordination as priests. It is a spectacular service, full of the…

Most morning services at Teigh and Market Overton will take place at 9:15am rather than 9:00am with immediate effect. The change will enable clergy who are taking an 8:00am service beforehand at Oakham or Brooke a little more time to get there, as well as bringing the timings in line with Hambleton and Egleton, who made a similar change some while ago…

The PCC meeting of 21 March had much to cover. Do see full minutes on the noticeboard for all the reports and full details. To summarise: the vacancy arrangements were going well, and a good benefice meeting had been held with the Archdeacon and Rural Dean to finalise the Parish Profile, Person Specification, advertising of vacancy, interview dates and the panel involved.…

For the APCM on Sunday 22 April, reports from church organisations and groups will be produced in advance as usual – please submit these by Sunday 8 April to notices@oakhamteam.org.uk, so that they can be available on 15 April. At the meeting, there will be vacancies for three new PCC members – please consider whether you might be called to service in…

Jesus Christ is risen today! …and tomorrow…and tomorrow…and every day! Alleluia! Resurrection means rebirth, a coming back to life after death, and it’s not just confined to Easter Sunday as I witnessed for myself 10 days ago in Stocken Prison. On Monday 12th March a team of 25 of us went into Stocken Prison to lead a Christian Mission called Kairos. Kairos…

Help is needed to look after the Church. Can you? We are now short of help to look after the Church and cleaners are required. We share the duties and an area is allocated for you to look after. If you can help please contact David Kirtland (01572 724103).

At the meeting for the Benefice churchwardens and PCC members on 15 March, Archdeacon Gordon outlined the role of a Team Council in the appointment of the Team Rector and Vicar of Oakham. The Team Council was part of the Scheme when the Team was set up, but has not been properly constituted; this meeting had been called so that (a) representatives…

Calling parents and carers of young people in our parishes… We invite you to a discussion of options for Christian festivals and/or a parish camping trip. Joining big crowds of Christians, including different kinds of people, can be a major faith-builder for young people. We know some of you are already planning to join Iain at Greenbelt (August bank holiday), and we…

The morning services at Teigh and Market Overton will take place at 9:15am rather than 9:00am with immediate effect. The change will enable clergy who are taking an 8:00am service beforehand at Oakham or Brooke a little more time to get there, as well as bringing the timings in line with Hambleton and Egleton, who made a similar change some while ago…

Bishop DonaId is looking to recruit a secretary to join his office, who will act as secretary to his Chaplain and PA, as well as maintain the accounts of both bishops and provide catering for meetings and events. More details can be found on the diocesan website. Closing date is 3 April 2018.