St Mary's, Standon

Weekly News - 29th January 2023

This weekend’s Bible reading:

John 2:1-11 (p 968)

Concert in memory of Len Sparks 4th February:

The postponed concert in memory of Len will take place in St Mary’s on 4th February at 7.00 pm (licensed bar open from 6.30). John Petters New Orleans Jazz Stars will play and proceeds will go to St Mary’s. Please speak to Rebecca for more information or for tickets.

Choral Evensong at St Mary's Ware Sunday 5th February 6.30pm:

Our choir will join the singers from St Mary's Ware for a special service of Choral Evensong next Sunday. Michael will be leading the music at the service and it would be lovely to worship together with friends from this benefice and Ware. Do come along if you can.

Soup ‘n’ Snowdrops at St Catherine’s, 18th February:

The Sacombe folk will hold their annual ‘Soup ‘n’ Snowdrops fundraising event on Saturday 18th February, 12.00 – 2.00. Please come along and admire the snowdrops, and enjoy some delicious home-made soups.

Tudor evensong 26th February:

The weekend of 25th and 26th February will be a celebration of the completion of the restoration work on the Sadleir tombs. The weekend will culminate in a service of evensong on Sunday 26th at 6.30, where we will, as far as is practicable, follow an order of service that would be familiar to Sir Ralph. Bishop Alan will take part, and refreshments will be served afterwards.

Confirmation service in St Mary’s 9th March:

There will be a confirmation service in St Mary’s on 9th March. The new Bishop of Hertford will be officiating, and we will be welcoming candidates from Bishop’s Stortford as well as our own church family candidates. Please come and support them all if you can.

Volunteers still sought:

Our in-house teams are still looking for volunteers on many fronts. In particular, we are now turning children away from the clubs at Roger de Clare because we don’t have enough helpers, and there is a waiting list of 15-20 children. If you can help with this or any of the other tasks listed in recent weeks, please speak to John or the appropriate person.

Kisiizi Hospital parcels:

Thank you to everyone who knits for Kisiizi hospital. In 2022 we sent 38 boxes of knitted items, including 130 vests, 76 blankets and 77 teddies. We are now in need of boxes. Those that hold 5 reams of A4 paper are ideal. Please leave them in St Mary’s church.

Website:

Our benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform. The benefice page is:www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice. Please visit it to see the range of information there.

Services for the next few weeks

Midweek services each week:

Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine’s

Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s

We are looking in our midweek services at the moment at the later chapters of Acts. Often, study of the book of Acts doesn’t get to the latter part, so we have started at chapter 21, when Paul is taken into Roman custody, where he will spend the rest of his life. Please join us if you’d like to explore these passages with us.

Sunday services:

29th January 10.30am Morning worship, St Catherine's