30/08/2026
Well that was a full day but wonderful to feel the love for All Souls’, it’s Church Community, and the progress that has been made since the last Compass Away Day in Aug 2024.
The day started with Solemn Mass with a talk by our organist Keith, interactive prayers from Colin to ask questions and collect feedback from the congregation to be used in the afternoon sessions.
Following Mass was a Parish Lunch and we had the pleasure of some visitors joining us.
The afternoon session was led by Father Andrew Nunn and included some presentation by Colin on achievements over the last two years and the growth that All Souls has seen.
Most noticeable was the growth in Sunday and Midweek Masses, Evening Prayer, Bible Study and Special Services, with the last three initiatives taken up as outcomes to work on following our previous Compass session.
The use of Church for Concerts and Events had been significant and had raised much needed income and was down to the efforts of the All Souls’ Team who give their time and energy to support the church.
The Open Doors and use by the disadvantaged in the community shone through, indeed with several coming in for food during the afternoon. This highlights All Souls’ mission in action.
We then explored the questions that had been asked during the morning service and the ethos of All Souls’ shone through: Community, Family, Friendly, Spiritual, Solid Anglo Catholic Liturgy, Good Music, and so much more. It was heartening to hear what people value and why they return week in week out.
We later looked at where we might focus our energies as a District Church Council: Engagement with Students, Understanding the Relationship with Saint Martins, Expanding the Hook Memorial Lecture Series, further growth in Healing Ministry, Special Services, and thanks to Jan for supporting further Bible Study.
To close the day Father Andrew led Evening Prayer followed by a beautifully reverent Benediction.
Thank you to all who contributed to this profound day and also to all who made it happen.
