It is our normal practice at certain services to donate the collection on that day to deserving charitable causes. One of these dates is Mothering Sunday (15th March). This year, we will be passing on the Mothering Sunday collection to the Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge which is a small independent charity based in Welwyn Garden City. The shelter provides for families fleeing domestic abuse and in need of safety, stability and compassionate support. It has 14 rooms and can accommodate 14 women and 28 children at any one time. In addition to providing safe accommodation the Refuge offers specialist Support for women with mental health needs and a dedicated children’s area where young people can begin to heal in a safe and nurturing environment.Please give generously to this worthy cause if you are able. You can donate by using the yellow Gift Aid envelopes on the pews, by using the contactless machine near the main door or by donating online by visiting the church website or via Just Giving using this link: bit.ly/4qIEI9y or by scanning the QR code below. Please remember to gift aid your donation!
Junior Choir is back this Thursday - 4th September 6-7:30. Please do pass this on to anyone who might be interested. Church choir singing involves reading poetry (literacy), music theory (maths) singing in other languages, learning about the composers and the times they wrote the music (history), team building, confidence building and having lots of fun. So please do get your kids to try us out...Contact Rob Milner milnerrobert1@me.com 07540 847599
You will have heard in recent weeks of major failings within the Church of England, with regard to safeguarding practice and the care of victims after disclosures of abuse. It has been a time of deep shame and sorrow, and although painful to face, we hope will be a catalyst for greater transparency and accountability in the future. Our prayers are particularly with those who have suffered abuse at the hands of those who were trusted. As clergy in this Welwyn Team of churches we want to pay tribute to the diligent and energetic work of our Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs), PCCs and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team who support us in our commitment to ensure that these churches are places of safety and accountability. We realise that much of their work is unseen and thought at this time it might be useful to outline to you, our congregation and wider community, some of the procedures we have in place to help protect those in our care. · We have five Parish Safeguarding Officers who act as a point for people to report concerns, and with the clergy share the responsibility of the oversight that safeguarding training and DBS checks are up to date. · We have three Safer Recruiters (one clergy, two lay) who meet with and administer DBS checks for every PCC member and for those who volunteer to work with children or vulnerable adults. · Safeguarding training is compulsory for clergy, Readers, churchwardens, PCC members and those who work/volunteer with activities with children and vulnerable adults. This is offered online, and also run annually ‘in house’ · Every PCC has a Safeguarding policy that is displayed in our churches and on our websites, along with contact details of the Incumbents, PSO and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. · Safeguarding is a standing item at every meeting of the PCC, Team Council and Ministry Team. · We follow the national church guidelines with regard to safe practice e.g ratios of adult to children, parental permission for activities and use of social media and photographs etc . · Volunteers are provided with a Code of Conduct of expected behaviour whilst working with children and vulnerable adults, as well as clear details of how to report concerns about a child or the behaviour of another volunteer or member of the clergy. Policies and procedures have their place, but most importantly, we believe, is the building of a culture in all our churches where every person feels an equal responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of others and can share concerns with the knowledge they will be handled proportionately, appropriately and with sensitivity and compassion. That is something we can all work towards. Finally, we want to say thank you to all who take an active role on behalf of the church in caring for children, young people, the frail and housebound and those vulnerable in other ways. This is good and valuable work. We are grateful for every ounce of your care and commitment. Working together we endeavour to be places where all people are treated with dignity and care through which they might grow in the knowledge that they are precious in the sight of God.
St Mary’s choir rehearses on a Thursday evening from 7:30-9. We sing on Sunday morning at 9 for 9:30 parish eucharist and once a month on Sunday evening at 5 for 6:30 choral evensong.Soprano, alto, tenor, bass - all welcome.We have a choir director and two organists. There is also a junior choir which rehearses on Wednesday evening 6:30-8 and sings with us on Sunday morning once a month and occasionally at choral evensong. (See photo and poster download).Contact Rob Milnermilnerrobert1@me.com07540 847599
