This Week's News: 12th October 2025
Sunday 12th October - 10am Parish Eucharist - The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
Readings
- 2 Kings 5.1–3, 7–15c
Our New Priest
It is with great joy that we welcome our new priest, Reverend Ryan Gilfeather, to St Mary Magdalene this morning. This is a very special occasion in the life of our church as we begin a new chapter in ministry and fellowship together. We give thanks for Ryan’s calling to serve here among us and pray that his ministry will be richly blessed. May we continue to grow together in faith, hope, and love as we share in God’s work in this parish and community.
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 Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments
Sunday
- 10am Parish Eucharist
Join us for a cosy evening with hot chocolate
As the autumn evenings grow cooler, St Mary Magdalene Church in Welwyn Garden City invites you to a warm and welcoming gathering to celebrate all hallows eve together! Step inside from the crisp night air on Friday, 31st October 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, for a fun-filled spooky evening. We'll be serving delicious hot chocolate and donuts, and there will be plenty of activities for all ages, including:
- Marshmallow Roasting
- Biscuit Decorating
- Kids' Crafts
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, catch up with friends, and enjoy the fellowship of your local community in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There's no formal programme – just a simple invitation to come as you are and enjoy some comforting treats and fun with us.
Date: Friday, 31st October 2025
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: St Mary Magdalene Church, Hollybush Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4JS
St Mary Magdalene is a friendly and open Christian church community, and we are delighted to welcome everyone. Whether you're a regular member of our congregation or visiting for the first time, we look forward to sharing a warm drink and good company with you.
To find out more about our services, events, and our vibrant community life, please explore our website. We are a church for the whole local community, sharing the love of God with generous hospitality.
Get Involved!
We are appealing for volunteers to help. If you are available between 5pm and 7pm, please speak to one of the Churchwardens.
Find out More
Share the details with your family and friends using this link: https://smmh.uk/hot-choc-2025
All Souls Service - 2nd November
Our All Souls service will be held on Saturday, 2nd November. As in previous years, Janice will be compiling the list of names of loved ones to be remembered during the service. Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Rememberance Sunday - 9th November
Remembrance Sunday will be observed on 9th November. We will hold our usual Act of Remembrance during the morning Eucharist, followed by the afternoon service at the war memorial. Afterwards, everyone is warmly invited back to St Mary’s for refreshments.
Diocese Vacancy
The Diocese is currently seeking a new PA to the Archdeacon of St Albans. Details of this vacancy can be found on the noticeboard at the back of the church.
https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/vacancies-role/diocesan-roles/
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 The Reverend Dr Ryan Gilfeather and his wife The Reverend Dr Christie Gilfeather during this time of change.
- 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, Lorna.
Those who have died in recent weeks:
Ted Glock, Alistair.
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.
