No one belongs here more than you
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.
Loneliness in Lockdown
Here is Rev. Alan's sermon from Wednesday's morning service
For the past few weeks, my wife, Rachel, has been somewhat Mutt and Jeff; that’s deaf to those not fluent in Cockney Rhyming slang. This has been caused by a build-up of wax in her ears. Thankfully, her hearing has returned, but it did give us all a little insight into the non-hearing world, in particular just how exhausting it can be to engage with others, but also how isolated it can make a person feel.
I imagine we all have experienced a little more insight into isolation in these past days and weeks. Some of us, of course, thrive on aloneness, but most of us, I imagine, are beginning to crave contact or the company of others, especially if we live alone, or we’re self-isolating or we’re just a bit fed up with whoever we happen to share our Rat and Mouse with!
Loneliness, as we know, can often be debilitating, sometimes destructive. And, of course, it’s possible to be lonely even in a crowd, in a family, even in a marriage.
Loneliness, I think, is a kind of grief; a grief for intimacy and, by the same token, grief itself, as most of us will know, is a lonely thing. Later today I have the privilege of conducting a graveside service for a family whose grief was made more lonely by their not physically being able to be there at the end, and now, of course, different households within that same family are denied the comfort of the embrace of each other.
News and Events
Be part of St Mary's while at home
Although services are suspended, you can still 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
June edition of the Parish Magazine available now. Click here or here to read.
East Herts Citizens Advice service
This has moved from predominantly face to face advice in our 5 centres to staff and volunteers home working through phone, email and Webchat.
They desperately want people to know that they are still available to help and advise! More details here
New 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
For our younger members
Storytime
Although school is out, you can still do storytime with Rev Alan. Go here for this week's story.
More stories from Rev Alan and Rev Wendy on the St Mary's WhatsApp group. Contact David Gorton (dgorton1@btinternet.com) to sign up. You can also find Rev Alan telling stories on the Hertingfordbury and the the Greens Facebook group.
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
APCM
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is postponed until further notice.
Revision of Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll is being revised. 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:
Special services during lockdown
To take part, email Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to be added to the list of invitees.
If you would like to join in our live streamed services, email Robin Bishop on (robinhbishop@gmail.com) so that he can add your email address 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.
Ascension Day service Thursday 21 May via Zoom
8.15 pm.
To receive an invitation to this service, contact Robin Bishop (contact details here).
Thy Kingdom Come
During the time from Ascension Day to Pentecost, everyone is invited to take part in the global prayer movement Thy Kingdom Come. For more details of how to take part, click here.
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
All Sunday services and activities at St Mary's and St Andrew's are now suspended because of the Coronavirus outbreak, until further notice.
Following advice from the Diocese, the church is no longer open for private prayer.
Services in church buildings will not take place during lockdown, but you can find helpful resources here and on the St Andrew's website ,
Regular services during lockdown
Holy Communion services every Sunday and Wednesday at
10.30 am on Zoom
To take part, email Robin Bishop (robinhbishop@gmail.com) to be added to the list of invitees.
You may also like to watch the Church of England live streamed services here (or watch the video later).
Compline 7.00pm Sundays on Zoom
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.
Daily prayers
‘It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness’
During these days of uncertainty and isolation, we’d encourage you all to light a candle each evening around 7pm and, if possible, to place it in a window as a sign of solidarity and hope in the darkness. For those who pray, we’d also like to suggest that you say these daily prayers (click here for the prayers) at the same time, as a way of staying connected to one another through Christ.
