This week’s Bible readings:1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (p 1146).Standon Annual Meeting:This Sunday, immediately after the 10.30 service, we will hold the APCM for Standon. If you’re on the electoral roll of St Mary’s, please stay and hear how the parish is doing and what the challenges are that we plan to tackle in the coming year.Website:Our new benefice website is live! It is now being hosted on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform - simply go to the site and search for one of our churches (alternatively the address for our benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice).There is a lot of interesting information on the site, and all the latest benefice updates (including upcoming services and events, the latest notices sheet to download, weekly updates and prayer topics, and much more!). Please tell Mark at markacnywebsite@gmail.com of any recommended changes or additions, and he will share them with the team working on the website. It is also here that you will be able to view John's Jordan vlog... the first episode is now online and ready to view!Jordan trip:Keep a lookout on the website for the vlog (video log) from Jordan, now active. We are hoping to post daily on where we are and what we are doing. The trip is 9th to 18th May.Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in Standon village hall at 2pm usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be on Thursday 12 May 2022. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683.FOSM AGM, Friday 13th, 7.30 pm in St Mary’s:The annual meeting of the Friends of St Mary’s will be on Friday evening, and will be followed by a talk by James Ridings entitled ‘Where the wild things are’. Please come along to support the Friends and to hear about our local wildlife and conservation.Support for the foodbank:For some years now, we’ve supported Buntingford foodbank on a regular basis. The foodbank supports families in Buntingford and the surrounding villages, including our own villages, and it is finding itself increasingly in demand as the current cost of living increases bite ever deeper. We have collection boxes in all our churches, and we also arrange for online deliveries to go directly to the foodbank collection point in Buntingford. Karen contacts us when she’s running low on stock, and in the last 12 months we have ordered more than £3,700 worth of groceries. This has been funded by our own congregations’ donations for this purpose, and people have responded generously to the need around us.In 2020, our average order was £320. In 2021 it was £562. In the first 4 months of 2022 it has been £709. At the moment, each and every month, Karen and her team are breaking their previous record for the number of food parcels delivered. The need is immense and growing. At the same time, we understand that our church members are not immune to their own financial pressures.If you can, please help us continue our support. Donations of money can be made physically by giving them to Caroline. You can donate online (please use reference ‘foodbank’) to: CAF Bank Ltd; Sort code 40 52 40; Account Standon PCC; Account number 00032168. If you’re a tax payer, please fill in and let us have a gift aid form (available from Caroline - treasurer@ubsms.org.uk). That means we can claim back from HMRC any tax you’ve already paid on your donation, and the foodbank gets even more!Please let neighbours, friends, relatives know about the amazing work that Karen and her team are doing. If you’re able to support her work, thank you; if you need to make use of the foodbank she is ready to help.Rotas of all sorts – still more help needed, please:Many of our routine tasks are performed by volunteers who take turns on a rota system, but many of our rotas have significant gaps. We need help, please, with the following:All Saints:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every couple of months – speak to Pauline- Flower arranging – no previous experience needed! - speak to Deborah or Heather- Welcoming and serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to any of the current team - Reading or leading intercessions in services – speak to a churchwarden- Helping with café on Wednesday afternoons – speak to Carole or DeborahSt Mary’s:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every 6 weeks – speak to Rita- Helping in the churchyard, 1st Saturday morning of each month – speak to Mike or Sarah- Bell ringing (practice night Tuesday) – speak to Tracey- Welcoming or serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to Angie or Wendy- Reading or leading intercessions in church – speak to Angie or Wendy- Joining the streaming rota to be set up in the near future – speak to Angie or RichMayday:Thank you to all who contributed to a successful Mayday. FOSM raised £1,253 from teas, salads and Lizzy’s cards. Many were welcomed into the church, and the music was much enjoyed. If you have bowls or cake boxes to collect, they’re in the St Mary’s kitchen!Services for the next few weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 8th May 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 15th May 8.00 am Ante communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday, 22nd May 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints6.30 pm Jubilee choral evensong, St Mary’s
This week’s Bible readings:1 Peter 2:4-10 (p 1218) John 17:13-19 (p 1085).Little Munden Annual Meeting:This Sunday, immediately after the 10.30 service, we will hold the APCM for the Mundens. If you’re on the electoral roll of All Saints, please stay and hear how the parish is doing and what the challenges are that we plan to tackle in the coming year.Standon’s Annual Meeting:This will be next weekend, again straight after the 10.30 service.Jordan trip:Keep a lookout on the website for the vlog (video log) from Jordan. We are hoping to post daily on where we are and what we are doing. The trip is 9th to 18th May.CCTV at St Mary’s:Please note that we have installed a camera in the porch at St Mary’s. Recordings will be held securely and deleted after a period. No-one visiting will be photographed inside the church.Ralph’s walk:Ralph is walking Wainwright’s Coast To Coast Walk, walking 200 miles over 12 days from 1st May, raising funds for the last bits of the Sacombe re-ordering - there is still around £8,000 to raise. If you would like to sponsor him the link is: www.JustGiving.com/Ralph-Paddock21.Rotas of all sorts:Many of our routine tasks are performed by volunteers who take turns on a rota system, but many of our rotas have significant gaps. We need help, please, with the following:All Saints:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every couple of months – speak to Pauline- Flower arranging – no previous experience needed! - speak to Deborah or Heather- Welcoming and serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to any of the current team- Reading or leading intercessions in services – speak to a churchwarden- Helping with café on Wednesday afternoons – speak to Carole or DeborahSt Mary’s:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every 6 weeks – speak to Rita- Helping in the churchyard, 1st Saturday morning of each month – speak to Mike or Sarah- Bell ringing (practice night Tuesday) – speak to Tracey- Welcoming or serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to Angie or Wendy- Reading or leading intercessions in church – speak to Angie or Wendy- Joining the streaming rota to be set up in the near future – speak to Angie or RichMayday:If you can help on the day or cook beforehand, please speak to Caroline ASAP.There will be a programme of music in St Mary’s during the afternoon:1.30pm The Rib Singers directed by David Ranford2.00pm The church bells will be rung2.15pm Favourite organ pieces and piano duets played by Marion and Michael Smith3.00pm Clarinet and organ music played by Thomas Stephens3.30pm Members of the choir of our United Benefice will sing songs and anthemsWebsite:Our website address is in the process of changing. Please bear with us as we make the transition.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 1st May: 8.00 am Holy communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints2.00 pm Baptism service, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 8th May:10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 15th May:8.00 am Ante communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 22nd May:10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints6.30 pm Jubilee choral evensong, St Mary’s
This week’s Bible reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (p 1001).Welcome to our visitors: This Sunday, we welcome Connell and his family and friends to our 10.30 service, where Connell will be baptised. Please make them welcome, and pray for him as he sets out on his new life as a member of God’s Church, and for his parents and God-parents as they take solemn vows on his behalf.During the service, Luke will be here, and there will be activities for children (and adults) related to the message of Easter. Please note that the cameras will not be on the front of church while children are there.The Centre: This Sunday Samara Ellis and her daughter Ceanna will be visiting the Centre. Andrew and Samara are in leadership in churches in Zimbabwe. We have supported them for over 20 years since they left All Nations Christian College. Do come and join us and hear what she has to say!Choral evensong:This weekend we will hold a service of choral evensong at 6.30 pm on Sunday. Please join us if you can for this meditative service.Annual meetings: Our annual meetings (APCMs) will be held, following on from our morning services, Sacombe’s on 26th April, The Mundens’ on 1st May, and Standon’s on 8th May. Papers are available at the back of our churches, but please contact your secretary if you’re willing to receive them electronically.Our Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) are the governing bodies of our churches, and are responsible for most aspects of running our benefice, both in terms of meeting the requirements of the law and Charity Commission rules, and maximising our effectiveness in spreading the good news of Jesus. We need a wide range of gifts and experience in order to serve our churches and communities well. Please consider whether God is calling you to serve on our PCCs.Rotas of all sorts:Both St Mary’s and All Saints are looking for help on many fronts! Many of our routine tasks are performed by volunteers who take their turn on a rota system, but many of our rotas have significant gaps. What can you do? In particular, we need people to join the teams for the following:All Saints: Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every couple of months – speak to PaulineFlower arranging – no previous experience needed! - speak to Deborah or HeatherWelcoming and serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to any of the current teamReading or leading intercessions in services – speak to a churchwardenHelping with café on Wednesday afternoons – speak to Carole or DeborahSt Mary’s: Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every 6 weeks – speak to RitaHelping in the churchyard, 1st Saturday morning of each month – speak to Mike or SarahBell ringing (practice night Tuesday) – speak to TraceyWelcoming or serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to Angie or WendyReading or leading intercessions in church – speak to Angie or WendyJoining the streaming rota to be set up in the near future – speak to Angie or RichMayday: Mayday is a day when we need a great deal of help in Standon. A list is up in St Mary’s; please sign up if you can help on the day or cook beforehand.There will be a programme of music in St Mary’s during the afternoon:1.30pm The Rib Singers directed by David Ranford2.00pm The church bells will be rung2.15pm Favourite organ pieces and piano duets played by Marion and Michael Smith3.00pm Clarinet and organ music played by Thomas Stephens3.30pm Members of the choir of our United Benefice will sing songs and anthemsWebsite: Our website address is in the process of changing. Please bear with us as we make the transition.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 24th April 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre All Saints6.30 pm Choral evensong St Mary’sSunday 1st May: 8.00 am Holy communion St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship All Saints2.00 pm Baptism service St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre All SaintsSunday 8th May 10.30 am Holy communion St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre All SaintsSunday 15th May 8.00 am Holy communion St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship All Saints4.00 pm The Centre All Saints
Halleluia! Christ is risen!A very happy Easter to you all.Easter Day services:As we celebrate Easter, we will gather for our 10.30 communion service in St Mary’s even though it’s a third Sunday. The Centre will not meet this week, but will resume next Sunday.This week’s Bible readings:Acts 10:34-43 (p 1104) and Luke 24:1-12 (p 1061).Roadworks on A120:These continue to cause hold-ups on Kent’s Lane. Please allow plenty of time.Annual meetings:Our annual meetings (APCMs) will be held, following on from our morning services, Sacombe’s on 26th April, The Mundens’ on 1st May, and Standon’s on 8th May. Please consider whether God is calling you to serve on our PCCs. If you have a report to submit, please get it to your PCC secretary.Website:Our website address is in the process of changing. Please bear with us as we make the transition.Easter Monday Pilgrimage:The Easter Monday pilgrimage to St Albans Cathedral is a family event at which all are welcome... even muddy boots and dogs! You can join a group at one of the ‘hub churches’ and walk together – see the posters in our churches.Calling all spare trowels... Lizzy and Chris B will be running a gardening club at Little Munden School, starting after the Easter break. Before they buy small trowels and forks for the children to use, they ask if anyone has any spares or ones that could be borrowed until the middle of July - every trowel borrowed means more money can be spent on plants and veg to grow! If you can help, please speak to Lizzy.Bell peal in memory of Stephen:A Peal will be rung on the bells at St Mary's on the afternoon of Friday 22nd April, probably starting between 12.30pm - 2pm depending on what time the ringers can get here. It will be 3 or so hours duration and be by some of Tracey’s Hackney ringing friends in memory of her husband Stephen, who was the previous Tower Captain there, on what will be the 2nd anniversary of his death.Cleaners needed for All Saints:We still need volunteers to join our cleaning team at All Saints. We have, unfortunately, lost two of our regulars this year, so it would be great to have at least two volunteers to fill these gaps. It means cleaning about 4 times each before the end of 2022, once every couple of months (cleaning items are provided). If you could help, please call Pauline on 438545. Thank you.Sunday Solos lunch:The next lunch at the Star will be on Sunday 24th April. If you would like to attend please phone Heather or email heatherjackson24@yahoo.co.uk.Mayday:Once more, we are looking for lots of help at Mayday on 2nd May. We will need cakes, salads and offers to help in St Mary’s, in the Village Hall and on the salad stall. Please speak to Keith or Angie (church), Steph or Cliff (VH) or Caroline (salad stall) or sign up on the board at the back of St Mary’s.Friends of St Mary’s AGM:This will take place in St Mary’s on 13th May, followed by a talk by a speaker from the Herts & Middlesex Trust for Nature Conservation. All are welcome.Standon Flower and Music Festival, 8th-10th July 2022:Plans are progressing for this event, postponed from 2020. If you would like to be involved please let Marion know (email: marionsmith1456@gmail.com).Holiday Bible Club:Our annual HBC will run from 29th August to 1st September. It’s not too early to volunteer! Please speak to Caroline or Lizzy if you can help, and pray for the plans as they progress.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30 am Holy Communion (BCP) St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 17th April 8.00 am Easter communion St Mary’s10.30 am Easter communion St Mary’sSunday 24th April 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre All Saints6.30 pm Choral evensong St Mary’sSunday 1st May8.00 am Holy communion St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship All Saints4.00 pm The Centre All SaintsSunday 8th May 10.30 am Holy communion All Saints4.00 pm The Centre All Saints
