Dear FriendsMy curtains in the office are having to be drawn because of the sun that is streaming in through the windows!! What a contrast to last week.As many of you know we were able to introduce you to Phase 1 of our new heating system in St James, last Sunday. People seemed really happy that they were warmer in church and we will now be working on Phase 2 of the heating, which will take time to cost up and then we will need to have a fundraising drive to be able to do that. It may take some time, as it does take a long time to get the relevant church permissions etc. I will keep you informed when I have anything to tell you.I am hoping I will see you at some point this weekend.There is the coffee morning at High Wych Memorial Hall being run by Sean O’Connor – he is asking for help with cakes being supplied but also for people to attend. This coffee morning is to support Bowel Cancer and will take place from 10.30 – 12.30 pm.We also have our Quiz Night at the Gilston and Eastwick Village Hall from 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start, this Saturday evening. There are a few places left if anyone wants to still come, just let Christine know on christine.law2@btinternet.comUnfortunately, I have to inform you that our Murder Mystery taking place on 28th March is now sold out.On Sunday we have our two services:-8.00 am BCP Communion service at St James, High Wych, and9.30 am for breakfast with a 10.00 am start for our Family service at St James, High Wych.I hope to see you at one of these occasions over the weekend.Every blessingAlison
Dear FriendsAs we begin our progress through Lent, this Sunday we will be looking at the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness, through video, music and the Word. I hope you will be able to join us at St James, High Wych at 9.30 am.This week we also have another Family Service at St Botolph’s, Eastwick at 11.30 where we will be exploring the message of Jacob, a complex story of deceit and ultimately forgiveness.I have attached our new poster for community dog Walks throughout the year. You will notice that we are splitting these across our villages. St James in High Wych, Allens Green, St Mary’s, Gilston and also Terlings Development in Gilston. Everyone is welcome to these whether you have a dog or not. Refreshments will be provided in various forms. If you would like to come and just meet for a chat and refreshments come from 3.30 pm.A word about our Quiz Night and Murder Mystery event.We have a couple of tables left for the Quiz Night – please talk to Christine about booking a table.The Murder Mystery is booking up really quickly – I suggest you get in touch with Kate Clark soon to avoid disappointment.Please find attached the Welcome sheet and readings for this Sunday.I hope I see you at one of our services this weekend.Every blessingAlison
Dear Friends Wow, we are heading into Lent already!! Please see attached the flyers for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party if you would like to invite anyone, our Messy Church session this Sunday, Our Ash Wednesday service at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 18th February at 7.30 pm at St James, High Wych, our 2026 Lent Challenge - all preparation for our walk with Jesus towards Easter this year. Easter Day will be 5th April – date for your diaries. Our Lent study this year follows the Holy Habits course that we started last Lent and we will be focussing on Gladness and Generosity. This will start on Monday 23rd February at 7.30 pm at the Rectory and I will also be running this during the day on Wednesdays from 2.30 pm for those who do not like a late night. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of church from this Sunday so that you can let me know if you prefer Monday evenings or Wednesday afternoons. This week in St James, they have started to install the under pew heating (Phase 1) I am hoping they will have been able to remove the large scaffolding tower from in front of the pulpit – if not I might be bungee jumping from the top of that on Sunday I hope you can make our service this Sunday at:- · 9.30 am St James, High Wych – Holy Communion service · Messy Church 3.00pm - 5.00 pm in High Wych Memorial Hall. May God bless your week and make you feel gladness in your spirit that you are part of our church fellowship. Every blessing Alison
It has been brought to our attention that Fr Alexander Johnston, who was a teacher at Bishop’s Stortford College and who also worked as a non-stipendiary minister in this area, including at All Saints' Hockerill in the 1980s and 90s, and with the Benefice of High Wych, Gilston and Eastwick during the year of 1995 and 1996 has recently been convicted of holding indecent images of children from that era of his life. A link to the story in the local newspaper may be found here: https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/jail-sentence-for-former-bishop-s-stortford-college-teacher-9450623/ Mr Johnstone has been living in Cornwall for the past 25 years. However, if you have any concerns from that time or anyone you are aware of being harmed at that time, then we ask that you please contact Jez at the St Albans Diocesan Safeguarding Team (01727 818107) or our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Cath Sharples <cathsharples@aol.com> or Tel 01279 600996. Please be assured that you will be listened to and that your concerns or information will be taken seriously. Alternatively, you may wish to contact Safe Spaces (https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/) which is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales, or the Church in Wales. We at St James, St Mary’s and St Botolph’s appreciate that this news may be unsettling but would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the safeguarding measures we have in place today are robust. However, if you would like general support, do feel free to contact Revd Alison Jackson on revajacksonhwge@outlook.com or Tel 0783 366 7707 or landline 01279 790145. In the meantime, the thoughts and prayers of our church community are with all those involved in this case and with those who may be affected by this news. Your Priest Revd Alison Jackson
