All Saints exists to help people to encounter, follow and share Jesus. That means we're All Involved. We simply wouldn't be a church without faithful people like you who support and serve the mission God has given us. Below are a selection of teams you might consider joining to add your unique voice and talents to the work of All Saints in Marple.
Click the team for more info written by the people who serve and register your interest when you're ready.
Contact: Louise Watson
What’s involved: To cook one meal (main course and dessert) in your own home and then deliver it to a home where there is a need – usually when people have had surgery, are recovering from an illness or had a new baby.
Do I need any training? No requirement to be a Cordon Bleu cook!
What skills are required? To be able to cook (but no requirement to be a Cordon Bleu cook) and to have the means to deliver a meal.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Work on your own but as directed by Louise who will sends out the details of the family – where they live, how many people to cook for and any dietary needs of any family members.
When and where and how often will I be needed? On an ‘as needed basis’. Louise contacts volunteers on a rota basis and volunteers can say no if not convenient – as much or as little as you want to do.
What is involved? We serve our young people in a variety of settings giving them space to discover Jesus through friendship, fun, teaching, worship and prayer. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 says our lives are made up of faith, hope and love. In our different groups and events we explore what it means to have faith (God stuff) and hope (life stuff) built on a foundation of love (friendship and community).
What skills are required? Listen and love. That’s it. You don’t need experience with teens, wear skinny jeans or listen to Radio 1. If you’re willing to be there for young people, hear their concerns with empathy and facilitate their conversations with open handed love you have all the skills you need.
Do I need any training? We provide safeguarding training and we’ll walk you through guidelines and best practices. Otherwise, there’s no better training for youth work than ‘on the job’.
If so is it provided beforehand and by whom? Safeguarding training is provided by Chester Diocese.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Always as part of a team. For safeguarding reasons (to protect both young people and leaders) all youth work is done with at least two adult leaders at all times.
When and where will I be needed? We have several different areas of ministry, from large Christian groups and smaller Life Groups to outdoor detached work and drop-in centres. Let’s have a chat and see where and when works best for you.
How often will I be needed? Again, this is flexible. Some volunteers help twice a week, others once every six weeks. We recognise you have your own busy lives and try to exercise the same care with volunteers as we show to our teenagers.
Other relevant details eg Age or other Limits / DBS checks required etc? A full DBS check will be carried out as you’ll be working with under 18s.
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? We huddle as a full team every 6–8 weeks usually on a Monday for encouragement, reflection, planning and training.
Contact: Mandy Green
What’s involved? The women’s ministry team gathers to discuss ideas and arrange a range of events for the women within the church.
What skills are required? Enthusiasm, invitational, organised
Do I need any training? No training is required. As part of a team, you will be able to assist with the areas that best suit your skills.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Work as part of a team but may take on certain tasks within the team for different events.
When and where will I be needed? During the course on Monday evenings at church, meeting at 6.50pm to pray before the course starts at 7.15pm.
How often will I be needed? Weekly for the duration of the 10-week course.
Are there meetings I need to attend? We gather together as a team for a few weeks in January before Alpha starts to plan and pray together. We have a great time!
Contact: Pam Andrew / Brenda Beardwood
What’s involved? Ringing the bells for Sunday Service and occasional weddings and special occasions. Attend practices Monday 7.30-8.30pm
What skills are required? Willingness to learn the skill of bell ringing. Good co-ordination is useful, but musical ability is NOT needed.
Do I need any training? Yes
If so is it provided beforehand and by whom? Training will be provided first by experienced ringers.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Part of a team.
When and where will I be needed? At All Saints bell tower on Sunday mornings between 9.30 – 10.15am and occasionally on other special occasions.
How often will I be needed? Flexible – as often as you can make it.
Contact: Nev Phillips
What’s involved? Management of the various buildings which the Church owns/occupies:All Saints’ Church, Bowyer Hall; Bell Tower; Connect, Queen Street; and St Paul’s Church, Strines.
What skills are required? To have some knowledge of building maintenance, experience of dealing with contractors and professionals and the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Diplomacy and exceptional patience often needed.
Do I need any training? No training as such but ability to help will depend on your knowledge and/or /experience.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? The aim is to have a team to share the load and take responsibility for individual jobs/projects and co-ordinate where necessary.
When and where will I be needed? No set times for meeting as these will depend on what jobs/projects are in hand. A meeting /discussion will be needed before PCC meetings in order for Nev to report to the PCC and request observations and approval of expenditure where necessary.
Contact: Sue Johnson, Sue Goodwin
What’s involved? Shopping for and/or catering for church events, e.g. Light Party, Alpha.
What skills are required? Shopping plus basic kitchen skills preparing food and clearing up. Cooking skills.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? You will be part of a team working together.
When and where will I be needed? Whenever you are able to help with an event. Cooking currently takes place either at church or at the home of one of the leaders.
How often will I be needed? When you are available to help.
‘It’s great working as part of the cooking team, good fun, lots of chat, lovely to serve food that is delicious and that people appreciate!’
Contact: Michael Sparrow
What’s involved? Representing All Saints’ at churches together meetings and events in the community such as Christmas events and Marple Carnival.
What skills are required? A desire to work with members of other local churches and to help organise community events.
Do I need any training? No
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Both
When and where will I be needed? There are four Churches Together meetings during the year held at different churches. Various other occasions – about six per year – where we gather to worship together. There are two or three community events mainly at Christmas and for the Carnival.
How often will I be needed? Flexible depending on your availability.
Contact: David Waterston / Joan Brown
What’s involved? Hoovering the church lounge, chancel and porch and dusting in the church. Cleaning the loos and kitchen and brasses. Usually about 1.5 hours.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Work with others on a team.
When and where will I be needed? At church. Usually on Friday afternoons or sometimes in morning. If there is an event in church on a Friday check with David.
How often will I be needed? Approximately 1.5 hours about once every 6 weeks.
Contact: Penny Ribbeck
What’s involved? Helping to organise volunteers from church to be involved in community events such as Marple Carnival or Christmas events. Work with Churches Together where appropriate.
What skills are required? Love of community, desire to see church involved in local community events, planning and leading volunteers.
Do I need any training? No but I can work alongside you where I have been involved in previous events.
When and where will I be needed? Varying times of year depending on the events planned
Contact: Iain Kirkpatrick / Michael Sparrow
What’s involved? Getting alongside people to offer support, helping them to clarify what benefits they may be entitled to, helping them to complete difficult forms (eg. to apply for benefits), make difficult phone calls or prepare CVs and search for jobs. We provide a listening ear for any other problems and try and help people find a way forward. Often people come with money or debt problems too, and our links with CAP can help us here.
What skills are required? The ability to listen, deal with sometimes complex forms, draft a letter, search internet advice lines and most importantly to offer friendly non-judgemental support.
Do I need any training? Yes, some – depending on previous experience
If so is it provided beforehand and by whom? Training will be by the team while on the job.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Part of a team
When and where will I be needed? Monday mornings at Connect on Queen Street Marple between 10am and 12noon.
How often will I be needed? Flexible but at least once a month
Other relevant details eg Age or other Limits / DBS checks required etc? There are no Age or other Limits or DBS checks required.
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? We meet as a team to pray at 9:30 am before we start.
Other existing team members say: “Its so encouraging to share the joy when someone gets help, finds a job or sorts out any awful situation.”
Contact: Ian Taylor & Nick Ribbeck
What’s involved? Being a Lay Member of Chadkirk Deanery Synod.
What skills are required? None but you need to be elected and you and the people who propose and second you for election need to be on the electoral roll of All Saints.
Do I need any training? No
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Participation is as an elected member.
When and where will I be needed? Three Synods per Annum Normally Feb/May/Oct.
How often will I be needed? On those three occasions. Sometimes we have one-off events.
Contact: Jill Taylor
What’s involved? Helping members of the fellowship in their homes with small jobs eg putting up shelves or pictures.
What skills are required? Practical DIY skills.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Team members may work on their own or in pairs.
When and where and how often will I be needed? Jill responds to ad hoc requests and will contact you on an ‘as needed basis’. You can say no if not convenient – as much or as little as you want to do.
Other relevant details? DBS checks may be required.
Contact: Bob Evans
What’s involved? Taking Communion out to the homes of those who are unable to come to us. This is an important part of our support work and can often be required for our long serving and dedicated members who through ill health or infirmity can no longer get to us to share in active worship.
What skills are required? Having compassion and empathy for those who are prevented from attending church services.
Do I need any training? On the job by accompanying team members.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? In pairs as part of the team.
When and where will I be needed? Meet at the church on the second Wednesday of each month from 9.30–10.05am. for a Communion service where the bread and wine for Holy Communion is consecrated and then to visit members in their own homes for H/C. Typically finished by lunchtime.
Other details? DBS check required.
This ministry is greatly appreciated by those enabled to receive by this service. Please also bear in mind this is often the only direct contact those we visit retain within church worship and it should therefore be seen as essential part of our broader commitment to our All Saints’ church family.
Contact: Sandra Constantine
What’s involved? Visiting people who can’t get out or who are isolated in some way in their
own home.
What skills are required? Listening and chatting, reading and being able to pray if asked.
Do I need any training? No training is required.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? You work in pairs and meet as a team before you go
out.
When and where will I be needed? Visiting takes place during the fourth week of each month, usually on a Wednesday, but the day is flexible.
How often will I be needed? Once a month.
Contact: Chris Buckley
What’s involved? There are a variety of roles:
To shop, make tea and coffee, serve the visitors (and each other!), welcome visitors, chat and pray with them and suggest where additional help can be found (eg Connect Help).
To sort food onto shelves and into bags and offer these to visitors.
To go out into the community to offer these services to those who don’t know about the Pantry or are unable to get to the Pantry.
If you are interested in helping at the Pantry
To purchase food during the week – costs will be reimbursed by the Pantry.
What skills are required? If serving on Saturday the most important skill is a desire to serve, together with the ability and willingness to listen, chat and pray with visitors. If shopping during the week an ability to do heavy lifting together with own transport.
Do I need any training? Training is ‘on the job’.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Part of a team on Saturday mornings, on own if shopping during week.
When and where will I be needed? If serving on Saturday mornings from 9.15 for about 3 hours at the Connect building on Queen Street Marple or out in the community. If shopping at any time to suit you during the week.
How often will I be needed? Approximately one Saturday morning every six weeks but more if you are able to do so.
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? We have a prayer and praise session at 9.15am on Saturday at Connect for half an hour before we open.
What’s involved? Set up toys according to theme for this baby and toddler group, welcome and sign in parents and children, make and give out drinks and snacks. One member leads the children in craft activities and another leads a song and story. Others engage in conversations with parents and children. Tidy away & leave room as found.
What skills are required? A willingness to serve as a team and model Jesus’ way to the children in our care. Pray for God to reveal himself to these families and signpost any support needed.
Do I need any training? Yes. C of E Safeguarding Online Training BASIC & FOUNDATION, Read AS Safeguarding Policy and Health & Safety Risk Assessments. Character references will be required.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? As part of a team.
When and where will I be needed? Wednesday afternoon during term time in the Bowyer Hall from 12noon until 3.30pm.
How often will I be needed? Minimum once a month.
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? We meet to pray for the children from 12noon – 12.30 before each session. We hope to meet termly as a team for a meal or event.
What’s involved? Set up toys according to theme, welcome and sign in parents and children, make and give out drinks and snacks. One team member leads the children in a craft and one team member leads a song and story after snack time. Others engage with parents and children by chatting, playing and praying as you go! Tidy away and leave room as found.
What skills are required? A willingness to serve as a team and model Jesus’ way to the children in our care. Pray for our families, for seeds of love to be sown and for God to reveal himself to these children.
Do I need any training? Yes. C of E Safeguarding Online Training BASIC & FOUNDATION, Read AS Safeguarding Policy, Health & Safety Risk Assessments. Character references are required.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? As part of a team.
When and where will I be needed? Tuesday mornings during term time in CONNECT from 9am – 12 noon.
How often will I be needed? Minimum once a month on rota.
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? We set up then pray for the children before each session. We aim to meet termly for a meal, event or training.
Contact: Sarah Holton
What’s involved? To be part of a team that goes into All Saints’ Primary School on a regular basis to help staff and encourage children with a lunchtime collective worship group, a Fab Friday Prayer Space, the after school spiritual gardening group ‘Growing Faith’, or whatever our new initiative ‘FLOURISH’ will become! To help at one off events such as Church Week in October, the Christmas Fair stall and the Summer Fair stall. Outside of school there are opportunities to prep resources for activities, provide prayer and events for other local schools and maintain strong links with Marple Scouts and Guides. You may want to be called upon to be part of the Christingle and Easter church events teams.
What skills are required? A willingness to serve as a team and model Jesus’ way to the children in our care. Pray for our school families and for God to reveal himself to these children.
Do I need any training? Yes. C of E Safeguarding Online Training BASIC & FOUNDATION, Read Safeguarding Policy, Health & Safety Policy and Risk Assessments, References required.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? As part of a team.
When and where will I be needed? Various times at All Saints’ Primary School and All Saints’ Church.
How often will I be needed? There is the option to serve weekly, fortnightly or monthly within this role.
Other relevant details eg Age or other Limits / DBS checks required etc? Self Declaration and DBS needed if required by the school.
Contact: Steph McElroy, Chris & Jacqueline Earle
What’s involved? Serving drinks & snack. Interacting with Friends and other leaders through conversation, dance, craft making, acting, singing.
What skills are required? Good social skills and to suit a person with a happy disposition who likes to get involved or is able to run activities or lead a session or lead sung worship.
Do I need any training? You will be shown what to do at the session and you will need to complete online CofE Safeguarding training.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? You will work in a team of 4+.
When and where will I be needed? On the 1st Wednesday of the month from 7 until 9.30 pm in the Bowyer Hall, All Saints Church and at team meetings which are held periodically through the year.
Other details? You may be required to complete a DBS check.
Contact: Hej Alston
What’s involved? This team help with the set up and pack down of various events throughout the year. This is often moving chairs and tables into different layouts and sometimes setting up areas as instructed.
What skills are required? A reasonable amount of physical fitness (for moving chairs and tables)
Do I need any training? Very little training – just the basics such as how the chairs and tables are stored.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Working as part of a team.
When and where will I be needed? Ad hoc basis, when you are available.
How often will I be needed? No set amount of time – team members will be on a WhatApp group and can advise if available for each request.
Contact: Tim Sargeant, Simon Baker
What’s involved? To operate the sound desk for Sunday worship. For more information please register your interest or contact Tim Sargeant or Simon Baker for a conversation.
What’s involved? Setting up before the 10.15 service, serving tea and coffee after the service and staying on to clear and wash up.
Do I need any training? Yes. David does in service training with the team for the coffee machines, dishwasher and equipment in the kitchen.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Work with others on a small team.
When and where will I be needed? At church on Sunday mornings.
How often will I be needed? Once a month.
Contact: Shelagh Stokes / Sylvia Morgan
What’s involved? Walking with the intention of promoting outreach within the community.
What skills are required? Ability to walk a minimum of 4-5 miles. Essential equipment items are waterproof jacket, sturdy shoes or boots and a rucksack. Waterproof trousers are also advisable.
When and where? Walks take place on the second Saturday of every month unless advertised otherwise. Holidays are also arranged during the year. Meet in All Saints Church car park at 9.30am to share lifts.
How often? Come as little or as often as you are able.
Contact: Martin Palmer and Hej Alston
What’s involved? The duty church warden for that day allocates members of the team to different areas of the church where they welcome people as they arrive at church and provide directions if and as needed. In addition, one team member stays at the Bowyer Hall entrance during the service and one team member stays by the Bowyer Hall entrance at the end of the service.
What skills are required? To have a friendly and helpful presence, to be able to give directions and to provide a warm welcome.
Do I need any training? There is no training involved. A cheerful, helpful person is the main requirement!
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? As part of a team headed up by the duty church warden.
When and where will I be needed? From 9.45 am until the end of the service on Sunday mornings at All Saints Church Marple.
How often will I be needed? Once a month.
Some encouraging comments:
“Daniel was praying with the worship group , then he walked down the centre towards where I was sitting, he asked me if I was new to All Saints, introduced himself and gave me a hug! I’ve never stopped coming, and all because of the welcome I received those first two visits. I felt like I had come home”
“I love meeting and greeting, not just new people, although that’s very important to me, but people who I see regularly who may not get to speak to anyone regularly..”
Are there any team or prayer meetings to attend and if so when and how often? When on duty we meet to pray at 9.45 am and we have an annual team meeting with the team to get updates and feedback from the year.
Contact: Hej Alston
What’s involved? The women’s ministry team gathers to discuss ideas and arrange a range of events for the women within the church.
What skills are required? Enthusiasm, invitational, organised
Do I need any training? No training is required. As part of a team, you will be able to assist with the areas that best suit your skills.
Do I work on my own or as part of a team? Work as part of a team but may take on certain tasks within the team for different events.
When and where will I be needed? Varying times depending on the events planned.
How often will I be needed? Approximately a quarterly meeting but could vary depending on the events planned. You will not necessarily be required at all events.
Other relevant details? Team members should be over 18 and female.
Contact: David Jenkins
What’s involved? To lead the congregation in singing modern worship songs. For more information please register your interest or contact David Jenkins for a conversation.
