Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from 9 to 15th October every year, is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss. Sands – the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity – leads this special week. It is represented by a blue and pink ribbon logo, which has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies. The 3 Churches Ribbon Display We are hosting a Ribbon Display outside St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts. You are encouraged to add your own ribbon of remembrance during the week. The church will also be open from 3–5pm on Sunday 12th October for quiet reflection. The 3 Churches Ribbon Run From 3pm on Sunday 12th October, a team will run/walk the 5km circuit from St Andrew’s to raise funds for Sands. Walkers and Runners welcome! To donate, visit https://fundraising.sands.org.uk/fundraisers/sarahforrest. The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK everyday. If you are in need of any support locally, please do reach out to The 3 Churches Benefice: vicar@3churches.net / 07488 914972 / 01920 870009. For anyone who needs the support of Sands, you can find more information on their website www.sands.org.uk. Saying Goodbye Service at St Albans Cathedral On 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral, Saying Goodbye (part of the Mariposa Trust) will be hosting one of their special services. This is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members' or friends' loss. To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org.
Make Church is a brand new monthly gathering especially for children and families, designed to be inclusive, sensory and joyful – a place where children of all abilities can explore faith in their own way. There’ll be:🎶 Songs and actions🖐 Hands-on sensory experiences🤸 Movement and play❤ A warm, safe space where all children are welcome And it’s not just for the kids – parents and carers are part of the journey too. Whether your child is full of energy, prefers to observe, or has additional needs, there’s a place for them at Make Church. 🕓 When? Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4:00 PM First session: 21st September Also on: 19th October, 16th November, 21st December 📍 Where? St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots Come as you are. Let’s Make Church together. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
We have lots to offer at The 3 Churches Benefice, so please do check out what regular groups, meetings and services are running. Don’t forget to pick up/view our monthly News & Notices sheet for all the latest.If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send us an email (admin@3churches.net / vicar@3churches.net).REGULAR GROUPS & MEETINGSMonday Coffee MorningA weekly coffee morning that meets during term time in The Wilshere Hall. During winter months, this is offered as part of the Warm Welcome Space initiative, but we meet all year round. Come and share a cuppa in our warm, welcoming and free space.Every Monday, 9:00–11:00am at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church.Online Benefice Morning PrayerStart and end your week with a short, 30-minute prayer service from the comfort of your own home. Join us online: www.tinyurl.com/3churcheszoom.Every Monday and Friday at 9:30am on Zoom.Make Lunch Club (during School Holidays)Make Lunch Club offers a chance for you and your school-aged children (and their younger siblings) to get together, share a meal and have some fun during the school holidays. Make Lunch Club is for you if your school-aged children are eligible for free school meals or if you’re struggling on a tight budget at the moment. Younger siblings are welcome too!Every Monday and Friday during school holidays from 12:00 to 2:00pm at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots.Teddy ClubWhy not try Teddy Club at The Wilshere Hall? Every Thursday, 9:00–11:00 (term time). For children up to three years old. £2 per session. Fun activities, stories, singing and much more! Run by Bobtails Nursery & Teddy Club.Life GroupsLife Groups offer a chance to get together, study the Bible and pray. We have a few options to choose from:Tuesday Prayer Group – Every Tuesday, 9:30am at Sue Hardwick’s house.Tuesday Life Group – Every Tuesday, 7:30pm on Zoom (www.tinyurl.com/3churcheszoom).Wednesday Life Group – Every Wednesday, 10:30am at The Wilshere Hall.Thursday Life Group – Alternate Thursdays, 10:30am at The Wilshere Hall.Community Hub Drop-inOffers a safe space for anyone in the community who is in need of a listening ear or practical help. During winter months this is a Warm Welcome Space.Every Wednesday, 10:30–11:30am at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets.Benefice Coffee MorningMeeting alternate weeks for an informal social event.Alternate Thursdays, 10:30am at The Red Lion, Stanstead Abbotts.Benefice Breakfast at The Wilshere HallThe perfect combination of conversation, enthusiastic debate and a full English breakfast! Everyone is welcome.Every last Saturday of the month, 10:00am at The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church.Care Home ServicesThere are two Care Homes (Willowthorpe and Belmont View) in our Benefice and we visit each of them regularly once a month. The service is designed to be accessible to everyone including those residents who have memory problems, and we welcome people from all Christian denominations. We sing and pray together, listen to a Bible reading and enjoy having church. We have at least four hymns, chosen to reflect the church seasons and celebrations, and to engage with the long term memories of residents. We offer Communion or a Blessing at the end of the service and respect the choice and traditions of everyone who comes. Hope in ActionThe Three Churches Benefice also provides pastoral support for the Hope in Action group that meets every Wednesday, 5 to 6pm at The Ashlea Room, Stanstead Abbotts Parish Hall. Run by local charity Coffee and Coping, this group offers support not only for those struggling with addiction, but especially for partners and family members who need support, guidance and community while navigating the challenges of loving someone in addiction.REGULAR SERVICESOur regular service rota is as follows, but please do check out the Calendar for details of special services. * St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell9:00am Every Sunday* St Mary’s Church, St Margarets10:30am Every 3rd SundayMidday Every Wednesday* St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots10:30am Every Sunday
