All Saints Appley Bridge is a Church of England (Anglican) Church. We are part of the Diocese of Blackburn.
People say they find our church friendly and welcoming. We are part of a United Benefice with Christ Church Parbold. We share our youth groups and some special services, worship and outreach events with Christ Church Parbold.
Reverend Sue Timmins
Rev’d Sue has been the vicar of the joint benefice of All Saints’, Appley Bridge and Christ Church, Parbold since November 2016.
Rev’d Sue is a Lancashire lass, born and bred in Prestwich, North Manchester. She was a civil engineer with ICI before hearing the call to be ordained when she was 30, leaving ICI and training for the priesthood at St John’s Nottingham before becoming Curate at Iver in Buckinghamshire. She then returned to the North West, serving, in her own words, “For 15 happy years as Vicar at St John’s, Pendlebury, in the Manchester Diocese.”
Rev’d Sue left St John’s at the end of July 2015 to follow a call to live and work with a Christian organisation in Nigeria, an experience she describes as “An inspiring and formative time.” She returned to England at the end of 2015 to continue voluntary work with the same organisation in Europe, and ministering to churches in the Manchester Diocese that were between parish priests.
On her appointment to our benefice Rev’d Sue said “We have a strong focus in our Diocesan Vision 2026 to make disciples, to witness and to grow leaders for Jesus Christ, and I am looking forward to seeing how God will lead us on together in our own part of that journey.”
Reverend John Mountain
Rev’d John was ordained priest in summer in 2013. Prior to his ordination, John was a Reader at Christ Church, Parbold. Before retiring, John worked as a professional accountant.
Rev’d John takes services at All Saints’ and Christ Church Parbold including Holy Communion, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. He leads our pastoral team, so he regularly visits people who need home communion and he takes communion services in the residential homes for the elderly in Parbold. He also leads some evening courses and prayer sessions at both churches.
Rev’d John lives in Parbold with his wife, Anthea. He is a keen runner and can often be seen out running in Parbold with Toby, his daughter’s dog. John also enjoys ballroom dancing in his spare time.
He is a retired priest with permission to officiate at our churches.
Dr Sara Ashley – Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) Reader
Sara was first licensed as a Reader twenty five years ago. She has been a member of All Saints’ Church for many years. She previously served as a Reader at St Wilfrid’s Church in Standish.
In September 2021, Sara was re-licensed to All Saints’ as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) . She is also a member of our PCC.
Sara sometimes leads worship and preaches at All Saints’. She also helps with community activities, acts as our lettings officer and organises some of our charity events. She is a member of our church choir too.
Sara retired from her post of a part time GP in August 2020. She has undertaken work at the local children’s hospice in the past.
Since autumn 2020 Sara has also been a volunteer vaccinator during the Covid crisis.
Sara is married to Mark Ashley, our Vision Champion.
Diane Green – Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) Reader
Diane is a retired English teacher. She worked at Up Holland High School until 2012 and she has been working as a volunteer in our church since then. She was relicensed as a a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in September 2021.
Diane sometimes leads worship and preaches at All Saints’.
Diane loves working with children and often leads Family Time. She also takes school assemblies and occasionally leads services held in the school. She has undertaken some training in puppet ministry and sometimes produces our puppet plays.
During the Covid crisis, Diane produced many puppet videos for schools and she manages our You Tube channel.
Diane is a member of PCC. She also leads our fortnightly Bible Study group.
With of technical help from Philip Green, her husband, Diane edits this website and runs the church Facebook page.
Diane and Philip both love singing and they are members of Standish Chorale and of All Saints’ Church Choir.
Church Wardens
Mike Tyrer and Ian Hunter
Mike Tyrer was elected in April 2018 and Ian Hunter was elected in April 2019.
Church Wardens are leaders in our church community and our PCC. They also take care of the church building and the day to day practical issues which keep things running smoothly.
Church Treasurer- Jen Tyrer
Jen Tyrer is a member of PCC and is All Saints’ Treasurer, responsible for keeping our accounts in good order. We are fortunate to have her services as Jen is also a professional accountant.
Jen is also a talented member of our church choir is a keen member of the ‘crafty people’ group.
Jen is married to Mike, one of our Church Wardens.
Organist – Linda Scott
Linda Scott is All Saints’ most senior musician, playing organ, piano and flute and organising and directing the choir.
Linda has been a member of All Saints’ Church for many years. She is a retired secondary school teacher.
Linda is also the accomplished Musical Director of Orrell Musical and Dramatic Society. She has directed many musicals and concerts with the society. Linda’s skills as a musician are very much in demand with local groups.
Ann Edwards
A former church warden, Ann Edwards is an experienced member of PCC who makes many contributions to our church. She is the leader of our pastoral team and often visits people who are unable to attend church.
Ann is also the leader of the Appley Bridge All Saints’ Branch of Mothers’ Union and she organises the monthly meetings which are held in church. She also organises our intercessions rota and occasionally leads prayers. She also organises some of our charitable collections.
Ann also acts as verger for funerals and oversees our Garden of Remembrance.
Philip Green
Philip is one of our musicians and is our deputy organist. He also plays the flute in some services and sings in our choir.
An electronic design engineer by trade, Philip is our ‘go to’ person for technical and computing issues.
Philip is also a member of PCC and helps as a member of our fabric team with maintaining the church.
He is married to our Reader, Diane .
John Henry
After serving as our church warden for no less that 22 years, John Henry retired from the role in April 2019, but he continues to be a member of our special standing committee.
John continues also serves as a member of PCC and as a member of our church choir.
John helps with our Christmas Fair and is a leading member of our fabric team, continuing to help to take care of the church building.
No doubt we will continue to consult him and call on his experience and expertise in many matters relating to church.
Vera Young
Vera has been the leader of the Girls’ Friendly Society group at All Saints’, for many years and she has given many decades of service to the organisation and to young women in our parish.
Vera is the Blackburn Diocesan Secretary of the GFS in addition to her role at All Saints’.
Vera is also a skilled needlewoman and has made many beautiful items for church. She has taken an active role in All Saints’ Church for many years.
Cath Rainford
Cath is one of our Deputy Church Wardens and is a member of PCC.
She has been a member of our Church 4Kids leaders group for many years.
Cath helps to prepare the church for communion services. She also takes our contributions to the food bank.
Cath also leads our monthly evening Service of Light. She is a member of our pastoral team and she visits people who are unable to attend church.
Rachel Edwards
Rachel is a member of our Church 4 Kids leaders group.
Rachel is also the Safeguarding Officer for the Parish, responsible for maintaining the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults at our church.
Rachel advises our PCC on safeguarding issues.
Margaret Baker
Margaret was a member of PCC for many years and she has served as a valued school helper and governor.
Margaret produces our rotas of Bible readers, cleaners and church helpers, and she helps with church emails and regular communication.
Margaret is also the leader of one of our home groups.
Mark Ashley
Mark is our Vision Champion, and one of our Deputy Church Wardens. He seeks to keep us on track with our progress towards Vision 2026 – the Diocese of Blackburn’s vision for moving our Lancashire churches forward in discipleship.
A journalist by trade, Mark helps run our Facebook page. He also helps with events in church.
He is a member of our choir and he occasionally plays guitar in some of our services.
Mark is an eloquent speaker and he takes a leading role in some of our social events.
Mark also works part time as a journalist for the Diocese of Blackburn. He is married to our Reader Sara.
Debbie Leyland
Debbie is our Data Protection Officer. She was appointed spring 2018 to help us with the changes in the data protection rules. An experienced admintsrator, Debbie is a long standing member of our church PCC.
Debbie has looks after the Eventbrite the booking system for us.
Debbie occasionally reads the lesson in church and leads intercessions.
She is also currently Chair of All Saints’ C of E Primary School Governors.
Parochial Church Council
Like all Anglican churches, the church is overseen by a Parochial Parish Council (PCC) which acts like a school’s governing body to oversee the work and finances of the church.
Helpers
We are blessed with many people who help with: welcoming people to services (sidespeople); children’s groups; house groups; readings, prayers, flowers, administration, visiting, fund raising, church yard and building maintenance, and all sorts of other activities. We thank them all for keeping our church running and helping us to welcome many people to worship with us.