This week for All Saints families

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This Friday from 10.15am Claire will start off Advent. We will also bless the Posada as it starts the journey around our homes. Along with Sally, Becky and Angie for songs, crafts and refreshments.

Junior Church
No Junior church this Sunday as it’s an All Age service. Be prepared to sing along and do the actions to Junior Church’s Advent song.

This weekend
Saturday & Sunday (this weekend and next): Christmas Wreath Making at Brockwell Park Community Greenhouses, various times. Book here.
Saturday & Sunday: Black Culture Market, downstairs at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road SW9 8FR, from 11am to 5pm. Different traders each day.
Sunday: West Norwood Feast from 10am to 4pm.

Advent events for your diary
The Rookery Christmas Market at Streatham Rookery on Streatham Common on Sunday 10 December from 11am to 4pm with craft & gift stalls, carols by candlelight, food, drink, kids entertainment and Santa’s grotto.
Carols4ALL, community drop-in carols at All Saints on Saturday 9 December from 11am to 1pm.

Fun facts about St Andrew, Patron Saint of Scotland
Saint Andrew the Apostle, or simply St Andrew, was Jesus Christ’s first disciple. He preached the teachings of Jesus around the globe before being crucified in Greece on 30 November 60 AD. St Andrew is commonly associated with Scotland: Andrew died by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross, which is now represented by the white cross of the Scottish flag. But the saint’s significance stretches far beyond Scottish shores. People from many places all over the world hold St Andrew in the highest regard because of his teachings and endeavours. He is the patron saint of 6 countries and several cities. And yet despite featuring prominently in the Bible, relatively little is known about him. St Andrew was born between 5 and 10 AD in Bethsaida in Galilee, in what is now Israel. He was the son of Jonah, and his brother, Simon Peter, would later become St Peter. Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were the first of Jesus’ 12 disciples. Both fishermen, they are said to have immediately followed Jesus when he stated, “come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Many different locations have felt blessed with Andrew’s presence. For that reason, he is the patron saint of many places, including 6 countries – Barbados, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Spain and Ukraine – and various cities – Amalfi, Pienza and Sarzana (Italy), Luqa (Malta), Parañaque (Philippines) and Patras (Greece). St Andrew is also the patron saint of fishermen, singers and pregnant women and is believed to offer protection against sore throats and gout. The formalisation of St Andrew as Scotland’s patron saint followed from the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. Written by Scottish barons to Pope John XXII who had excommunicated Robert the Bruce, the letter is both a declaration of Scotland’s independence from England and a commitment to Christ.

A prayer for Advent 1
On the first Sunday of Advent, we begin to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Jesus is our Advent hope, our light in the darkness. May we always be ready to meet him.

For the week

Please don’t forget to look at the resources for families on the website of Southwark diocese here.
Sign up for our weekly email for All Saints’ families here.