This weekend’s Bible readings:Romans 8:18-25 (p 1135) Matthew 6:25-end (p 971)Soup and Snowdrops 21st February at Sacombe:You are warmly invited to Soup & Snowdrops at St Catherine’s Church on Saturday 21st February between 12.00 and 2.00 pm. Come and enjoy some homemade soup, bread and cheese. Proceeds will be for the work of the church.Catering for Julie’s funeral:As you know, our dear friend Julie’s funeral is on Friday 20th February at 1pm, and refreshments are being served in St Mary’s afterwards. Sandwiches and savoury finger food are being organised by the family but if anyone would like to bake cakes, please let Marion or Jacqui P know. Please remember no nuts or nut products and if you could pre-cut larger cakes that would be very helpful. Many thanks.Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us in the Sargant room (at the back of Standon village hall) any time between 1pm and 3.30pm, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 12th February. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683.Lent devotionals:Lizzy is planning to put in an order for some Easter books for the bookstall, including some Lent devotionals. The four which she has been recommended are Everyday Gospel Easter Devotional - Paul David Tripp , The Risen King - Charles H. Spurgeon, ed J.A. Medders , An Ocean of Grace - Tim Chester and Our Radiant Redeemer - Tim Chester. There will be a discount on the prices publicised online. If you would like her to order one for you, please let her know (lizzy@ubsms.org.uk) by Wednesday 11th February (orders after that are also fine, but won't be here in time for the start of Lent).Help needed:In the last few weeks, we’ve been appealing for more help in our churches. The need is becoming even more acute as we go on in 2026; 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 really needs more volunteers; we would welcome more people willing to take part in our services and many of our teams are short on personnel. All Saints has no church warden. There is much to celebrate in our benefice, but much still to do. 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.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sPlease note there will be no midweek service on Tuesday 17th FebruarySunday services:8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints22nd February 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st March 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th March 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:11th February, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop17th February, 12.00 Funeral of Jim King, St Mary’s18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s20th February, 1.00 pm Funeral of Julie Williams, St Mary’s21st February, 12.00 noon Soup and Snowdrops, St Catherine’s25th February, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s4th March, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall5th March, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings:Hebrews 2:14-18 (p 1202) Luke 2:22-40 (p 1028)Church family news:Jim’s funeral will be on Tuesday 17th February at 12.00 midday in St Mary’s. Julie’s will be on Friday 20th February at 1.00 pm, also in St Mary’s.Soup and Snowdrops 21st February at Sacombe:You are warmly invited to Soup & Snowdrops at St Catherine’s Church on Saturday 21st February between 12.00 and 2.00 pm. Come and enjoy some homemade soup, bread and cheese. Proceeds will be for the work of the church.Help needed:In the last few weeks, we’ve been appealing for more help in our churches. The need is becoming even more acute as we go on in 2026; 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 really needs more volunteers; we would welcome more people willing to take part in our services and many of our teams are short on personnel. All Saints has no church warden. There is much to celebrate in our benefice, but much still to do. 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.Support for the Food Bank:Our commitment to supporting our local foodbank continues, and another Sainsbury’s delivery of £1,485 worth of groceries was sent this week. However, the way it operates has changed slightly since they moved to a new base in Seth Ward Community Centre, and it has become more difficult to drop items off to them. We have decided, therefore, to remove the collection boxes from our churches, and ask that you either donate money through the Standon bank account towards our deliveries (please mark any donations with ‘Foodbank’) or drop off goods at Co-op Buntingford, where there is a collection bin for Gemma’s team. Thank you for your continuing support for this important work.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:1st February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints22nd February 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st March 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:3rd February, 2.00 pm Funeral of Leslie Gentry, All Saints4th February, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall11th February, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop17th February, 12.00 Funeral of Jim King, St Mary’s18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s20th February, 1.00 pm Funeral of Julie Williams, St Mary’s21st February, 12.00 noon Soup and Snowdrops, St Catherine’s25th February, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible reading:Matthew 4:12-23 (p 968)More sad news:As most of you know by now, very sadly, another much loved member of our church family, Jim King, died this week. Once more, many of you spoke to Jim last Sunday, when there was no sign that he was unwell. Jim suffered a major stroke on Tuesday and didn’t regain consciousness. Please pray for Shirley and all of Jim’s family, and those who loved him as we all come to terms with this second shock.Julie’s funeral will be on Friday 20th February at 1.00 pm in St Mary’s.Choral Evensong Sunday 25th January 3pm (please note the time) St Catherine's:Please join us at St Catherine's this 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.Midweek Music at St Mary's:The monthly midweek concerts at St Mary's Church, Standon are back after the Christmas break! On Wednesday (28th) Marion and Michael will be giving a concert of music for piano and organ at 12.30. Light refreshments will be served from 11.30 and we look forward to seeing you there.Entry and refreshments are free, but any donations you may wish to make will go towards the work of all three churches in our Benefice.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 and in the Church Times. 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 ParishRepresentatives: Michael, Angie, Ray, Hugh, Derek or Janet.FOSM Quiz Night:The FOSM Quiz Night will be on Saturday. 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, and there is space for a couple more.Illuminate in the Cathedral:This event is in St Albans Abbey on Saturday 28th February for school years 6-13. The thousand-year-old place of worship will be transformed exclusively for young people, packed with inflatables and activities, art space, discussion zones, prayer space, great food and so much more. Tickets (for both youth and youth leaders) are £10 and include dinner. This event is run by The Collective, a local co-operative of Christian youth work organisations and church-based youth workers. More details on the Diocesan website.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:25th January 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s3.00 pm Choral evensong, St Catherine’s1st February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints22nd February 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st March 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsPlease note the change of time and church for this weekend’s choral evensong to mark the arrival of the new organ at St Catherine’s.Dates & meetings coming up:28th January, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s31st January, 7.30 pm FOSM Quiz Night, Community Centre3rd February, 2.00 pm Funeral of Leslie Gentry, All Saints4th February, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s20th February, 1.00 pm Funeral of Julie Williams, St Mary’s21st February, 12.00 noon Soup and Snowdrops, St Catherine’s
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’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:18th January 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints25th January 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s3.00 pm Choral evensong, St Catherine’s1st February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th February 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th February 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All SaintsPlease 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 Road21st January, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall28th January, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s31st January, 7.30 pm FOSM Quiz Night, Community Centre4th February, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall18th February, 7.30 pm Ash Wednesday service, St Catherine’s
