This Week's News: 5th October 2025

Sunday 5th October - 10am Parish Eucharist - Harvest Thanksgiving

This Sunday we celebrate our Harvest Festival, led by Richard Syms. All Harvest gifts will be donated to the New Zion Food Bank.

Following the service, we will share a Bring & Share Lunch. A sign-up sheet is available at the back of church for those attending - please indicate your contribution and note any dietary needs so we can prepare accordingly.

Readings

• Revelation 14:14-18
• John 6:25-35

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

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, Alistair, Lorna.

Those who have died in recent weeks:

Val Sparks, Ted Glock.

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.