This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts 16:9-15 (p 1111)Welcome to Winston:This weekend, we welcome Winston to our all-age service, along with his family and friends. Winston will be baptised during the service.Choral evensong:This weekend, we will hold our monthly service of choral evensong in St Mary’s. Please join us as our benefice choir leads the music in this service from the Book of Common Prayer that has been part of the worship in our churches for hundreds of years.Midweek services:This week, we will have the last of our looks at Issues of Life and Death, considering the topic of war. From next week, for the next 10 weeks we will be looking in depth at Galatians chapter 5. Come and join us, in St Catherine’s at 9.30 on Tuesdays (communion service from the BCP) or in St Mary’s at 9.30 on Wednesdays (a short service of morning worship). In both cases, the talk is followed by a time of discussion, and often there is more discussion over coffee. Everyone is welcome.Midweek Music:On this coming Wednesday 28th May the Midweek Music concert will be given by Rebecca Watts (Legg) on the harp. Do come along and have a relaxing half hour from 12.30, preceded by light refreshments served from 11.30am. Free to come along and opportunities to donate to all three churches in our Benefice.Congratulations to Jade:Following her recent selection process, which itself came after months of interviews and assessments, we are delighted to report that Jade has been accepted for ordination training. Our congratulations go to Jade, along with our prayers for her and her family as she sets out on this next stage of her Christian journey.Coffee pot conundrum:One of the coffee percolators from St Mary’s has gone walkabout. We know that sometimes the pots are taken home, either to use up the left over coffee or to clean them, but one hasn’t returned. If you know where it is, please speak to Stephanie.Bereavement group meeting in All Saints 7th June:On Saturday 7th June the bereavement group will be meeting again in Little Munden church from 2 till 4. This group is for anyone who has lost their partner either recently or many years ago. This is a very informal meeting to share a cup of tea and cake and to share our experiences. If you would like to join us you will receive a warm welcome. If you would like to just turn up on the day that is fine, or phone Heather on 07909 065550 (but please note that she’s away for much of the rest of this month).Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is approaching fast, and it will be closely followed by Dane End’s. Standon’s is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. At each there will be teas, lunches, plant sales and beautiful gardens to view. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End. Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services:25th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints Dates & meetings coming up:28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th June, 2.00 pm Bereavement group, All Saints14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens Dane End & surroundings
This weekend’s Bible readings:Acts 11:1-18 (p 1105) John 13:31-35 (p 1082)Pop Up Shop:Thank you for your past generous support of the 4th Sunday pop up shop. As you probably know, all profits went to the Buntingford Food Hub, for which we raised £190 up to March 2025. The shop is currently having a rest, but will be reappearing later in the year to sell The Real Advent Calendars and then The Real Easter Eggs. These are Fair Trade items and include an important Christian message. We look forward to seeing you then.And bookstall:Lizzy will be away next weekend, so the bookstall won’t be at the service. If there’s something you would like, though, please let her know and she will get it for you when she’s back.Electoral Rolls:The electoral rolls for each church in the Benefice are open again following the APCMs. If you missed out on joining as part of the recent renewal, please speak to Carole, Hugh or Wendy or look at the back of the church for an application form.Bereavement group meeting in All Saints 7th June:On Saturday 7th June the bereavement group will be meeting again in Little Munden church from 2 till 4. This group is for anyone who has lost their partner either recently or many years ago. This is a very informal meeting to share a cup of tea and cake and to share our experiences. If you would like to join us you will receive a warm welcome. If you would like to just turn up on the day that is fine, or phone Heather on 07909 065550 (but please note that she’s away for much of the rest of this month).Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is approaching fast, and it will be closely followed by Dane End’s. Standon’s is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. At each there will be teas, lunches, plant sales and beautiful gardens to view. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End.Rota gaps:At our APCMs we have heard about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to enable our witness and worship. There are many places where we could do with more volunteers, but Little Munden desperately needs a few more on the cleaning team. If you could help for a couple of hours every few months, please speak to Sue Palmer.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services:18th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints25th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints Dates & meetings coming up:21st May, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting The Old Top Shop28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th June, 2.00 pm Bereavement group, All Saints14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens Dane End & surroundings
This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts 9:36-43 (p 1103) John 10:22-30 (p 1077)Standon APCM:Our final annual meeting will be held after the service in St Mary’s this weekend. You are very welcome to stay and hear what’s been going on, though if you’re not on the church electoral roll you won’t be able to vote.Youth Worker:For various reasons, the interviews weren’t able to take place on Wednesday and have been rescheduled for 11th June. Please pray for the candidate who has had a family bereavement which prevented his being there, and for those who will come on 11th June.Rota gaps:At our APCMs we have heard about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to enable our witness and worship. There are many places where we could do with more volunteers, but Little Munden desperately needs a few more on the cleaning team. If you could help for a couple of hours every few months, please speak to Sue Palmer.Farewell to Bishop Alan:A service will be held in St Albans Abbey on Sunday 18th May at 3 pm to bid farewell to Bishop Alan. All are welcome, and there’s no need to book. Until we have a new Bishop, Bishop Richard (of Bedford) will be exercising day-to-day leadership of the Diocese. Please pray for him.Mayday 5th May:Thank you to everyone who baked cakes or helped at the Mayday event in Standon on Monday. As ever, the Village Hall was busy, and Helena’s plant stall also did well. Basma sold a lot of her delicious dips and we welcomed a large number of visitors into church. FOSM raised around £1,500. Stephanie, in particular, is grateful to all who came and helped in the VH, or dropped off cakes for the teas.Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is approaching fast, and it will be closely followed by Dane End’s. Standon’s is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. At each there will be teas, lunches, plant sales and beautiful gardens to view. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services:11th May 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s18th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints25th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s Dates & meetings coming up:11th May, after 10.30 service Annual meeting, St Mary’s14th May, 11.00 am Barkway School visit, St Mary’s16th May, 7.30 pm FOSM AGM, St Mary’s28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts 9:1-20 (p 1102)Baptism and confirmation service in Standon, Saturday 10th May:This service will begin with baptisms in the River Rib at 6pm. The confirmations will follow afterwards in St Mary’s. Please come along and support the candidates as they take this important step. Come especially to the very public witness of the baptisms in the river, and bring your friends along!Mayday 5th May:Once again we are looking for helpers for the Mayday celebrations in Standon High Street. If you can volunteer an hour to help in the Village Hall or in church, or if you’re willing to bake a cake, please sign up on the list in St Mary’s or just turn up on Monday!Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in Standon village hall at 2pm usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be on Thursday 8th May. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130.Services for the next few weeks: Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s Sunday services:4th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th May 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s18th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints25th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints Special services: 10th May 6.00 pm Baptisms River Rib6.30 pm Confirmation service, St Mary’s (Rehearsal at 2.00 pm)Dates & meetings coming up:4th May, after the 10.30 service Annual meeting, All Saints5th May, 11 – 5 Mayday activities Standon High Street6th May, after 9.30 service Annual meeting, St Catherine’s7th May, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th May, at & after café Youth worker interviews, All Saints8th May, 11.30 am Funeral of Suzanne Dow, St Mary’s11th May, after 10.30 service Annual meeting, St Mary’s14th May, 11.00 am Barkway School visit, St Mary’s16th May, 7.30 pm FOSM AGM, St Mary’s28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s
