This Week's News: 29th March 2026

Sunday 29th March - Palm Sunday

• 10–11am Holy Communion with Junior Church, followed by refreshments

What's On This Week – Holy Week

Tuesday 31st March

• 11am–1pm Mary and Isabel's Compassionate Cafe at the Parish Centre Hall Grove. All are welcome.
• 7.30–9pm Fellowship Group, meeting in Ryan's office in church. See below for details.

Wednesday 1st April

• 10.30am Midweek Communion, followed by refreshments

Thursday 2nd April – Maundy Thursday

• 7.30pm Eucharist of the Last Supper with Washing of Feet and Watch in the Garden of Remembrance

Friday 3rd April – Good Friday

• 11am–12pm Churches in Welwyn Garden City Good Friday Service
• 2–3pm Liturgy of the Passion

Saturday 4th April – Holy Saturday

• 8–9pm Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, with baptism

Sunday 5th April – Easter Sunday

• 10–11am All Age Communion with baptism, followed by refreshments and Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Day Egg Hunt – Sunday 5th April, 11.30am

We are inviting our local community to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt after our 10am Easter Day service on 5th April. Please do stick around after the Easter Day service to welcome people into the church and join in the Easter Egg Hunt! Invite your family, friends and neighbours. Feel free to take away flyers at the back of church to hand out to others.

Parish Lunch – Today, 12pm at The Chieftain

Sign-ups have now closed for this month's Parish Lunch, but it will be happening again in a month's time. If you'd like a lift or can offer one, please have a word with Caroline.

New CD from Paul Gateshill – 'Time and Tide'

Paul Gateshill has just produced a new CD called Time and Tide. You can listen to it on Spotify and YouTube. If you'd like to purchase a copy for £10, Paul will donate £5 to church funds! The album contains songs written by Paul in a variety of styles - folk, folk rock, blues, jazz and even classical - accompanied by friends on flute, cello, keyboards, bass and percussion. See Paul if you'd like a copy.

Lent Fellowship Groups – Final week

The Thursday group has had its last meeting of Lent and will resume next term. The Tuesday group has one final session this week:

Tuesday 31st March, 7.30–9pm - Rowan Williams' Being Disciples, Chapter 5: Faith in Society. Meeting in Ryan's office in church.

If you would like a lift please speak with Ryan. To join future groups, please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the back of church, speak to Ryan, or email ryan@st-mary-magdalene.org.uk.

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:

Mehrangiz, Tyler, Jean, Sam, Brett, Daisy, Noah, Martin, Brian, June, Heather, Penny, Craig, Peter, Anna, Azizeh, Victoria, Naomi, and Lorna.

Those who have died in recent weeks:

Theres.

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.