This weekend’s Bible readings:
Acts 10:33-43 (p 1104) Matthew 3:13-end (p 967)
PCC meetings cancelled:
The PCC meetings planned for 21st have been cancelled. Any relevant information from the Vacancy Team will be sent by email after their meeting this week. The next PCC meeting will be on Thursday 5th March 7.30pm at St Mary's.
Café restarts:
The Little Munden café will open again this Wednesday, 14th. We have lost some key people recently and the team is looking for more volunteers, to bake or to help at the café. If you can spare some time on Wednesday afternoons, or you are willing to bake for the café, please contact Carole or Lizzie B. If you’re interested in helping with the children’s work, please speak to Caroline.
M&Ms restarts:
M&Ms restarts after the break on Wednesday 14th January. We are a group of ladies who meet 2.30-4pm on the 2nd Wednesday and 7-8.30pm on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Sometimes we have Bible Study or we follow a Christian book and we always include prayer. We are all different, hence our name: Marthas and Marys! If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Marion.
New Seasons:
New Seasons will start again for the new year on Thursday 15th January in Puckeridge community centre from 2pm. Please contact Heather for information: 07909 065550.
Sunday lunch at The Star:
Our next Sunday lunch will be Sunday 25th January in the Star. Please contact Heather to book your place: 07909 065550.
Help needed:
In this new year, please consider what you might be able to offer to help with the running of our churches. All Saints is in need of volunteers to help with cleaning; the café is looking for volunteers; we would welcome more people willing to take part in our services and many of our teams are short on personnel. If you feel that God is calling you, please speak to a church warden, a PCC member or to Caroline.
Vacancy update:
The advertisement for our new Rector is now live on the St Albans Diocese website. It will be in the Church Times on 23rd January. If you wish to see it and read the Parish Profile, there is a link to the information on the homepage of our website. Alternatively you can look at the St Albans Diocese Vacancies page. Please pray for the person God is calling to be our new Rector and for all of those involved in the recruitment process. If you have any questions please speak to one of our Parish Representatives: Michael, Angie, Ray, Hugh, Derek or Janet.
Food bank update:
You may have noticed that we weren’t able to collect groceries for the food bank in our churches in the last few weeks of 2025. Unfortunately, they had a flood in their storage unit, and had to look for alternative accommodation. They have found that now, and have moved in, so our collection boxes are operational again. Our Advent appeal was, once more, to support the food bank, and we hope to report next week on the amount raised, but please remember we can give to the food bank all year round either directly through the church bank accounts or by marking any donations for that purpose. We will be sending another large order in the next week or two.
FOSM Quiz Night:
This year, the Quiz Night, always on the last Saturday in January, is on 31st. Doors will open at 7.00 for a 7.30 start. Tickets are £15 per head. FOSM is working hard to replenish its funds after granting most of its reserves to the tower project. Tables of up to 8 can be booked with Caroline.
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 January 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
18th January 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
25th January 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s
3.00 pm Choral evensong, St Catherine’s
1st February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
Please note the change of time and church for this month’s choral evensong to mark the arrival of the new organ at St Catherine's.
Dates & meetings coming up:
12th January, 2.00 pm Funeral of Maurice Debnam, St Mary’s
14th January 12.00 (tbc) Funeral of Christopher Saggers, St Mary’s
15th January, 2.00 pm Vacancy team meeting, The Old Top Shop
19th January, 7.30 pm FOSM committee meeting, 40 South Road
28th January, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
31st January, 7.30 pm FOSM Quiz Night, Community Centre
4th February, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall