About Us

Letter from the Vicar

Dear friends,

“The times they are a-changing” sang Bob Dylan, back in 1964. The song spoke of social changes and of hopes for the future despite the ongoing Cold War and fear about escalation into nuclear war.

Since then, we have seen many changes. After decades of peace and stability many of us are worried about climate change, the growing tensions in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and the undermining of long-established patterns of trade and diplomacy. We have also had to cope with demographic changes, new technologies including AI and the growing influence of social media.

Much has changed locally since 1964. We have lost the railway, the cinema and Bakewell Show but seen new housing and the focus of the town change from agriculture to tourism, the building of a swimming pool, and there are many more watering holes and places to eat.

During Canon Tony’s time as vicar All Saints has changed a lot too .with the new kitchen and the nave altar platform, a higher profile in the community through our participation in events such as the raft race and Carnival and in our hosting of the Christmas Tree Festival. Tony and Rachel will be greatly missed and we don’t know how long it will be before the appointment of a new vicar to shepherd and inspire us. In the meantime, our churchwardens Sue and Nigel have to take on extra responsibilities during the vacancy.

The new service pattern enables all the churches in the benefice to be treated equally. Each of the benefice churches has given up one Sunday a month with the expectation that on that day the congregation will join with another congregation elsewhere, but at other times we will be regularly welcoming members of the Rowsley congregation to join us at All Saints. And we now have joint Evensongs with Great Longstone, on the first Sunday at St Giles and on the third Sunday here at Bakewell. Whilst as a benefice we are still feeling our way, the shared services have been uplifting.

Change, whether it’s in church, in society, in patterns of trade, in global politics or in our personal circumstances may be disturbing but it can also lead to us developing a deepening dependence on God and a more profound understanding of God’s love and of his grace.

The Bible recognises the reality of change and uncertainty in life and gives us a way forward, teaching us about God's unchanging nature and the faithfulness of his love. The biblical book of Proverbs encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” And in his letter to the Philippians St Paul wrote “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Before he left Canon Tony gave us wise advice as he encouraged us not to look back but to look forward with hope. Not with the fingers crossed wishful thinking sort of hope but hope that springs from God’s faithfulness and Christ’s love. Let’s do our best to be ever thankful, looking to God, not being afraid.

Rev’d Brenda