This Week's News: 25th January 2026

Sunday 25th January - 10am Holy Communion with Sunday School, followed by refreshments - Third Sunday of Epiphany

What's On This Week

Sunday 25th January

• 10am Holy Communion with Sunday School
• 4–5pm Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service at the Focolare Centre

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

New Sunday Service: 8.30am Meditative Communion – From 1st February

From Sunday 1st February until the end of Lent we will be trialling a new service on Sunday mornings. It will be a service of Holy Communion without hymns and with lots of space for stillness and reflection on the presence of God among us.

8.30–9am, Sunday mornings in the Lady Chapel.

New Home Groups for Lent – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30–9pm

During Lent we will be trialling two new weekly home groups, offered as an alternative to a traditional Lent course. These groups are a chance to deepen our faith and grow in relationship with one another in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Each evening will include time to catch up, share our lives, pray together, and explore the Christian faith.

Tuesday Group, 7.30–9pm - hosted by different people each week (TBC) and led by Ryan. Open to all, but particularly suited to those who are more established in their faith. Starts 24th February.

Thursday Group, 7.30–9pm - hosted in Ryan's office at church and led by him. Open to all, but especially suited to those who are exploring faith or are new to Christianity. Starts 26th February.

To register your interest, please speak to Ryan or email ryan@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk.

Pancake Race – Sunday 15th February, 11.30am

On the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday we are inviting our local community to join us for a pancake race after church. We'll be providing the pancakes, the pans and prizes for the winners. Please support this event by coming along and joining in – it would be lovely if the church could field a couple of teams. Please also invite your friends and acquaintances in the community.

Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Today, 4–5pm

Gather, worship and pray with other Christians from churches in Welwyn Garden City as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. There will be refreshments following the service.

Focolare Centre for Unity, 69 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JG. Parking is available on Parkway, or the car park entrance is via "The Cloisters," a side road off Parkway.

Beware of Email Scams!

Sadly there is an increase of email scams targeting members of church congregations. If you receive an email that appears to be from Ryan or anyone else in the church asking you to buy them a gift card, please don't do it because it will be a scam.

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.
• For people in Iran, for their protection and freedom.
• For growth in the mission, ministry and worship of St Mary Magdalene Church.

Those who are unwell:

Brian, June, Heather, Martin, Penny, Craig, Peter, Anna, Azizeh, Victoria, Naomi, and Lorna.

Those who have died in recent weeks:

Mark and Pamela.

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, Nick and Godfrey.