No one belongs here more than you
Image courtesy of Barrry Goodey
Welcome to St Mary's with St John's
No one belongs here more than you.
Welcome and thank you for visiting our website.
Following the example of Jesus, and seeking to model the inclusive love of God, we welcome all people, whatever your status, wealth, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, health or mobility.
A Message from Alan
A New World
This month, as we approach the anniversary of a year derailed by Covid 19, I’ve been thinking about an ancient story with several parallels to these times we’ve been living through. Far from being a cute children’s picture-book story, the tale of Noah is actually one of trauma and isolation, followed by hope and new beginnings.
Through no fault of their own, Noah and his extended family are forced to self-isolate (alongside a menagerie of animals!) in a boat adrift on an endless sea. It would be wrong of course to say that during these past months we’ve all been in the same boat; we haven’t. We have however all been on the same sea of limbo and isolation. Like Noah, we’ve watched as our known world has changed before our eyes, and many of the things we previously found our security in shaken. For 150 days Noah’s family were forced to wait patiently until finally the dove returned with proof that the waters were subsiding and a new world began to appear.
As I write, we’re beginning to see signs of a new world appearing. Numbers of infections are down and the vaccination program is an overwhelming success. The hope we’ve clung to (symbolised by a rainbow, the sign given to Noah) is beginning to feel like reality, as alongside the earth awakens to its Spring.
It’s no coincidence that Easter happens in the Springtime, when the daylight returns and all around us signs of new life begin to appear from the barren earth. Lent, this time of preparation beforehand, is often called God’s Springtime. It’s an opportunity to nurture those things that bring us to life; a time to awaken to the life we were each made for.
As we prepare to leave this ‘ark’ of isolation and trauma, may we each welcome this new world by living each moment gratefully and like the dove, may we bring hope to those still living with the aftermath.
Alan
News and Events
March edition of the Parish Magazine available now. Click here to read.
Listen to Rev Alan's Christmas interview, broadcast on East Herts radio
APCM
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Annual Meeting of Parishioners took place via Zoom on Tuesday 20 October at 8.00 pm. To read the papers click here.
We are delighted to report that David Gorton and Robin Bishop were both re-elected as churchwardens, and Jean Skinner, Kay Juniper and Kerrie Jeynes were re-elected to the PCC.
Many thanks go to Alma Cartwright, for her service on the PCC over many years, and to Jean Walker for all her work as Electoral Roll officer for the Parish, again for many years.
St Mary's is now open for individual prayer from
10.00 am to 4 pm Monday to Sunday
Be part of St Mary's while at home
Even though you may not be able to attend a service at St Mary's in person, you can always be part of St Mary's at home. Go here for full details
Support us
We know that some people like to make a donation each week via the collection plate, but while we are not meeting face to face, we realise that that’s not possible. We know that some people like to make a donation each week via the collection plate, but while we are not meeting face to face, we realise that that’s not possible. For details of how to give by text, click here.
Keep in touch
To be added to our mailing list and to receive Thought for the Day and invitations to services, contact Robin Bishop (contact details here).
To join our WhatsApp group, contact David Gorton (contact details here
East Herts Citizens Advice service
This has moved from predominantly face to face advice in their 5 centres to staff and volunteers home working through phone, email and Webchat.
They want people to know that they are still available to help and advise. More details here
Free Dial-a-Prayer service launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury
More details of the Daily Hope line here The number to call is 0800 804 8044. There is a message from the Archbishop and the chance to listen to hymns, reflections, prayers and services. Please pass the number on to anyone you know who does not have internet access
Electoral Roll
If you would like to be on the Electoral Roll but are not currently, please complete a form (available here) and scan it and send to:
For our younger members
Storytime
You can find a storytime story told by Rev Alan here
Sele Messy Church
Storytelling and more from Tracey on Sele Messy Church's page on Facebook here. Tracey is livestreaming stories on Wednesdays at 4 pm and Junior Church at 10 am on Sundays
Services by Zoom
To take part, email Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to be added to the list of invitees.
We are using the Zoom platform for this, and it is quite straightforward. More information here. There will be instructions in the email invitation.
Meditation and Mindfulness
On Zoom on Wednesdays at 8.00 pm.
Led by Rev Alan. Email Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to be added to list of invitees.
Video of guided session now available here
Breathe
Every first Saturday of the month, people from both our churches gather together for Breathe. Breathe is a chance to pray together about ourselves and our lives, our churches and our world. It is hoped that you will be able to use these prayers in the same way, by putting aside a time to pray, possibly on Saturday morning and perhaps with someone else. Find out more here
ST MARY'S SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
Many services and activities at St Mary's and St Andrew's are still suspended because of the Coronavirus outbreak, until further notice.
Following advice from the Diocese, the church is now open for private prayer.
You can find helpful resources here and on the St Andrew's website ,
Weekly Services
Sundays 9. 15 am
Holy Communion at St Mary's
(now suspended until further notice)
Sundays and Wednesdays at
10.30 am Holy Communion on Zoom
To take part, email Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to be added to the list of invitees.
Compline 7.00pm Sundays on Zoom
(Contact Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to receive the link.)
In peace we will lie down and sleep; for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
This short, spoken service takes its name from the Latin word for ‘completion’ and is intended to mark a quiet end to the day.
The words are available as both a PowerPoint here and Word document here and so, if you prefer, you can say the service at home.
