Sunday 18th October
What's on this week
Sunday 18th October
10–11am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments
Tuesday 20th October
11am–1pm Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe at the Parish Centre Hall Grove. All are welcome.
Wednesday 21st October
10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments
Sunday 25th October
10–11am Holy Communion with activities for children, followed by refreshments
Three Exciting Updates
Sung worship at 10am Sunday Services
For several years the sung worship in our main Sunday service has been led by music played over the sound system. We are delighted that two members of our congregation, Jo and Paul Dunstan, will now begin leading our sung worship at our regular (non-All Age) 10am Sunday service. We will keep the same pattern of music as now, a mix of traditional and contemporary hymns with a mass setting, with Jo and Paul leading us in song, accompanied by piano, guitar or organ. Please do pray for them as they prepare to lead for the first time this Sunday.
Welcoming Rev'd Jenny Gray
We are pleased to share that Rev'd Jenny Gray will begin offering ministry at St Mary Magdalene Church. Between now and Christmas she will preach, deacon and celebrate at a few services, and from January she will preach and celebrate once a month. Please pray for Jenny as she deacons with us for the first time this Sunday.
A new partnership with Herts Welcomes Refugees
We have entered into a partnership with Herts Welcomes Refugees, a local charity whose volunteers welcome refugees and people seeking asylum across Hertfordshire, offering practical support and helping them to settle into their new communities. We are offering HWR the use of our church on Tuesday afternoons to run a weekly drop-in for refugees.
The drop-in began this week, on Tuesday 13th October, and runs in the main church from 1–3pm every Tuesday. It offers hospitality in a warm and welcoming environment, including a crèche for children; English language support through conversation; practical help and advice with transport, health services, housing and utilities; and a place to give out clothing and other provisions. In time, HWR may also offer opportunities for refugees to cook, as well as music classes.
Hot Chocolate Evening: Saturday 31st October, 5–7pm
As the evenings draw in, we're opening the church for a cosy All Hallows' Eve gathering. There'll be hot chocolate and donuts, marshmallow roasting, biscuit decorating and crafts for children. There's no programme and no tickets, so just come as you are.
This is one of the best chances in our year to welcome neighbours who wouldn't usually come through our doors.
You can help in three ways:
- Spread the word. Share this poster, or simply invite a friend or neighbour in person.
- Lend a hand. If you could help on the evening, please speak to Ann Jansz.
- Come along yourself, and look out for anyone on their own or visiting for the first time.
St Mary Magdalene Church, Hollybush Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4JS
All Souls Service – Sunday 1st November, 3pm
Our All Souls service will be held on Sunday 1st November at 3pm. It is a time to come together to remember loved ones who have died, and everyone in the community is welcome, whether or not you come to church regularly.
Please do pass this on to anyone you think might value it. The service will be led by Caroline. During it, the names of those we are remembering will be read aloud, and there will be an opportunity to light a candle in their memory. As in previous years, Janice is compiling the list of names.
If you would like someone to be remembered, please speak to Janice.
Fellowship Group — Autumn Term
Our Fellowship Group restarts on Tuesday 29th September, meeting fortnightly in church, 7.30–9pm.
This term we will do bible studies of three short books in the Old Testament in which women's voices carry the story — Ruth, Song of Songs and Esther.
- Tuesday 27th October — Song of Songs, part 1
- Tuesday 10th November — Song of Songs, part 2
- Tuesday 24th November — Esther, part 1
- Tuesday 8th December — Esther, part 2
Each evening will begin with refreshments, followed by an opportunity to share something of our week and to pray for each other, a short introduction to the book, and then we will have an extended time of discussion.
If you would like to prepare, do read the book beforehand — but this is entirely optional.
All are welcome, whether you can come to every session or just one. No need to sign up in advance.
Knowing, Loving, Serving: our vision for 2030
Ryan has now been with us for twelve months. Over that time he has been working with the PCC, and particularly with a small group drawn from it, to discern a vision and strategy for St Mary Magdalene's up to 2030: a picture of what we would love our church to look like in five years' time, and how, with God's help, we hope to get there.
This work began at our mission morning with Kate Lomax in January, and has been shaped by many conversations since.
We have produced two documents:
A short summary and fuller document, which sets out our plans in more detail. Please email Ryan at ryan@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk if you would like a copy of either.
We would love to hear what you think. Please send any comments to Ryan by Saturday 17th October. After that, Ryan will consider everyone's feedback and finalise the vision and strategy.
Please pray for this work, and for our church as we take these next steps together.
Parish Lunch: 25th October, 12pm at The Chieftain
Join us for lunch at The Chieftain after the service on the last Sunday of each month — a relaxed opportunity to spend time together and get to know one another better. Everyone is warmly welcome.
To sign up, add your name and your meal choices to the list at the back of church, or email caroline_duke@hotmail.co.uk. If you sign up, your meal will be pre-ordered, so if you need to drop out please let Caroline know at least two days in advance, otherwise you'll need to pay for the meal.
Menu is at the back of church.
Caring For Our Neighbours
Clothes for Creswick Primary School
Not every family can easily afford school uniform, and the cost of replacing worn-out shoes or a lost coat can be a real pressure. Creswick, our local primary school, keeps a stock of good second-hand items to offer families who need them, and we want to support that by collecting clothes for them.
This will be an ongoing collection, so please keep us in mind whenever you're having a clear-out or browsing a charity shop. To save the school having to sort through things they can't use, we can only accept the following:
- Coats (ages 5–11)
- Black school shoes (up to size 5)
- Navy PE shorts (ages 5–11)
- Trainers for PE (up to size 5)
- Socks and underwear (ages 5–11)
Items should be clean and in good condition. Anything outside these criteria will be gratefully returned to you to find a good home elsewhere.
Bring donations on a Sunday and hand them to Ryan or one of the churchwardens, who will deliver them to the school.
Helping to Feed our Neighbours
For a growing number of families in our area, putting food on the table is a genuine struggle. New Zion Christian Fellowship's foodbank is one practical way we can help, and your donations make a real difference.
The foodbank is open every Wednesday 9–11am. To donate, please drop off items from 9am on Wednesdays at 140 Cole Green Lane AL7 3JE, or leave them at the foodbank point at the back of church. Items particularly needed at the moment include long life milk, cereals, tinned meat, cleaning products, toiletries, and sanitary products.
