This weekend’s Bible readings:
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (p 1144) John 1:29-42 (p 1064)
Sad news:
As most of you know by now, very sadly, our good friend and sister in Christ, Julie Williams, died this week. Many of you spoke to Julie last Sunday, when there was no sign that she was unwell. She was taken ill on Tuesday and, despite the best efforts of the surgeons, died on Wednesday. Please pray for Julie’s family and those who loved her as we all come to terms with this enormous shock.
Choral Evensong Sunday 25th January 3pm (please note the time) St Catherine's:
Please join us at St Catherine's next Sunday for a special service of Choral Evensong. Our benefice choir will lead us in worship as we mark the arrival of the new organ. The service will be followed by refreshments. This replaces our usual 6pm 4th Sunday Choral Evensong at St Mary's which returns on Sunday 22nd February.
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. Please pray that God will show you where he is calling you to use your gifts and abilities, and then 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 Friday. If you wish to see it and read the Parish Profile, there is a link to the information on 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:
Our Advent appeal was, once more, to support the food bank, and we raised £1,584, 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.
In a recent email, Gemma writes: ‘We are now at the Seth Ward community centre , we were given a room to work out of. It certainly has its benefits (heat and light!) but we can’t access it at weekends, which is when we usually hand out food deliveries as more volunteers are on hand! Going forward we will be hoping to get people to collect from us instead of us delivering. Also, I am looking for someone to take over the running as of March as I have a new job starting and I can’t really commit to both, so that’s going to prove tricky! We have a fabulous band of volunteers who help out with deliveries, collections and sorting food so it’s running really well currently. Thanks as ever to you and the parishioners for your continued support.’
Please continue to pray for Gemma and her team.
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 grantng most of its reserves to the tower project. Tables of up to 8 can be booked with Caroline.
Kisiizi Hospital parcels:
Thank you to everyone who knits for Kisiizi hospital. In 2025 we sent 36 boxes of knitted items, including 286 vests, 196 hats, 24 blankets and 73 teddies.
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 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
15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
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:
19th January, 7.30 pm FOSM committee meeting, 40 South Road
21st January, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
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
18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s