This Week's News: 10th August 2025
Sunday 10th August - 10am Parish Eucharist - 8th Sunday after Trinity
Readings
- Hebrews 11.1-3, 8-16
- Luke 12.32-40
What's On This Week
Tuesday
- 11:00am to 1:00pm Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe at the Parish Centre Hall Grove. All are welcome
Wednesday
- 10:30am Morning Eucharist, followed by refreshments
Sunday
- 10am Parish Eucharist
Appointment of a New Priest in Charge at St Mary Magdalene
We announced earlier in the week that St Mary Magdalene has appointed a new Priest in Charge, read more about it on our dedicated page here
The Passing of Val Sparks
It is with deepest regret that we must inform you of the death of Val Sparks, following a brief period of illness. Val was a long-time member of the congregation at St Mary Magdalene and very much loved. Many of you will remember Val for her charitable work, raising money for excellent causes with her art-a-thons. We entrust Val into the care of the God who she loved, and who has always loved her, trusting in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. Details of Val's funeral will be shared when we know more. May Val rest in peace & rise in glory.
Update: Val's Funeral will be at Oak Hill Cemetery and Crematorium, South Way, Hatfield on August 22nd at 1400.
Thank you
Massive thank you to the Children's Society box holders and all who have donated, we have raised £492.79 this year. Children's Society work hard to lift children and families out of poverty and we are grateful for the hard work giving and gathering donations that go directly to a cause that aligns with our values here at St Mary Magdalene.
Find out more about the Children's Society here: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs
Welcomers Needed
Could you be a friendly, welcoming face at our front door?
We are in need of a few more people to join our team of people who welcome us to church each Sunday. This is a really important ministry, setting new and visiting people at ease, answering practical questions (like" do you have a loo?"), and being the first impression that new people have of the church.
Welcomers need to be able to be at church by 9.30am when they are 'on duty' - the more of us that are able to help, the less often everyone is called on.
Please speak to Emma or a churchwarden if you think this might be a role that you'd like to explore.
Wondering what all the work is about behind church?
Work began this week on a new path which will lead from the car park to the memorial garden, enabling visitors to the churchyard much better access, including for wheelchair users. The path will link with the new ramp emergency exit outside the south east door, enabling a much safer evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. This path replaces the old stepping stones, some of which had sunk into the mud and cracked, and is the latest stage in the ongoing churchyard renovations. Please bear with us as this important work is carried out - we hope you will enjoy the results when it's finished!
Bike and Hike - Saturday 13th September 9am-5pm
Have fun visiting over 600 churches and chapels Raise funds for your local church Help save other churches in Beds and Herts
There are two ways to take part: Get sponsored to visit churches on the day (by any means you fancy!) Offer hospitality to those visiting St Mary Magdalene
For more information: https://bedshertshct.org.uk/bike-n-hike/ Or speak to Janice Fowler.
Dates for your diary
- 13th July - Baptism of Ada Wright during the Parish Eucharist
- 20th July - 2pm Patronal Festival (no service at 10am)
Foodbank Donations
New Zion Christian Fellowship food bank is open every Wednesday 9-11am. You may drop items in from 8am on Wednesdays at 140 Cole Green Lane AL7 3JE. Please use the food bank based at the back of church if you wish to give items.
Items that are particularly in need currently are:
- Long life milk
- Cereals
- Variety of tinned meat (meatballs, hotdogs, chicken curry or chicken in white sauce)
- Cleaning products
- Toiletries including sanitary products
For Your Prayers...
- For peace in the Holy Land.
- For Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe, and Isabel Hospice as we work in partnership together.
- For all refugees and those fleeing their homes, especially those now living in our parish. For those persecuted for their faith. For refugees facing homelessness after receiving permission to reside in the UK.
Those who are unwell:
Heather, Martin, Penny, Craig, Mark, Peter, Anna, Azizeh, Victoria, Naomi, Alistair, Lorna.
Those who have died in recent weeks:
Mauro Capone, Val Sparks.
For the growth of St Mary Magdalene Church
God of Mission, Who alone brings growth to your Church of St Mary Magdalene, Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, And power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
If you would like to request that we pray as a church for someone known to you, please first make every attempt to ensure that they would like to be prayed for by those at St Mary Magdalene. We will be conducting a monthly review of our Prayer List. If there is anyone who should come off the list or go on the list, please notify the churchwardens, Janice and Godfrey.
