This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts :1-21 (p 1093)Please remember that there’s no choral evensong this weekend. It will be back on 4th Sunday in June.Midweek Music at St Mary’s:This Wednesday’s concert (27th May) is called Wild about Recorders. This group is directed by Catherine Wild, who has played for us before, and there will be a variety of different types of recorder. As it’s half term, we are hoping that people who usually can’t come might be able to join us. Children will be very welcome. As usual refreshments will be available from 11.30 until the concert at 12.30 which will last about 40 minutes. There will be a retiring collection to support the work of our Benefice churches.Streaming in St Mary’s:If you might be interested in supporting our services by learning how to use the (very simple) streaming system in St Mary’s, please speak to Marion, Angie, Michael or Caroline. It would be good to have another name or two on the rota.Kisiizi parcels:The average cost of sending parcels containing knitted items to Kisiizi hospital has increased from £16 at the beginning of 2025 to £36. Any help that you might be able to give in meeting the cost of postage would be gratefully received. Please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or speak to Caroline.Standon Open Gardens 13th June:Standon Open Gardens, FOSM’s biggest fundraiser of the year, will take place on 13th June, 11 - 5. If you would like to help, please speak to one of the FOSM committee. If you can bake for the teas in the Village Hall or at Diana’s, please let Stephanie or Diana know. If you could help serve lunches in church, please speak to Caroline. Posters and fliers are available in St Mary’s; please help yourself if you have somewhere to display one. They are available electronically from Caroline.Concert in All Saints 14th June:Victoria Smith, whose whole family has contributed in the past to our ‘For One Night Only’ concerts in All Saints, will be performing with other local musicians in All Saints on 14th June at 3.00. This concert will count towards her Gold Arts Award. Entry will be free, with a retiring collection for the church. There will be refreshments served after the concert. Please come and support V if you can.M&Ms take a break:The M&Ms home group will be taking a break during May and will resume in June.What IS happening with God and Gen Z?This study morning for everyone with a passion for youth ministry will run on Saturday 6th June, 10am - 1pm at St Barnabas Centre, Thorley. The Revd Dr Dan Drew will share his expertise in leading Young People in faith, and Josh Dean MP will share his personal experience of a transformative Youth Worker. Refreshments will be served from 10am, with an opportunity to browse stands from local and national providers. More information and tickets (£5) are available from https://www.stjamesthorley.church/youthleadersconference.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:24th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s31st May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s7th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints14th June 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s21st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints28th June 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:24th May, 3.00 pm Wedding rehearsal, St Mary’s26th May, 12.30 pm Wedding of Elizabeth Whomsley & Sam Brown, St Mary’s27th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s2nd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s3rd June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall6th June, 1.00 pm Wedding of Mary Williams & Ben Jepps, All Saints13th June, 11 – 5 Standon Open Gardens, Standon14th June, 3.00 pm V Smith concert, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings:Acts 1:6-14 (p 1092) John 17:1-11 (p 1085)Mayday thanks:A huge thank you to everyone who helped on Mayday in Standon. The church was busy all afternoon, and the plant stall almost sold out. In the Village Hall, Stephanie and her team used 26 pints of milk, making tea and coffee and serving home-made cake. All this is only possible because of the time and effort of many people. Thank you.Standon Open Gardens 13th June:Now that Mayday is over, we turn our attention to Standon Open Gardens, FOSM’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It will take place once again on the second Saturday in June, 11 - 5. If you would like to help, please speak to one of the FOSM committee. If you can bake for the teas in the Village Hall or at Diana’s, please let Stephanie or Diana know. If you could help serve lunches in church, please speak to Caroline. Posters and fliers are available in St Mary’s; please help yourself if you have somewhere to display one. They are available electronically from Caroline.Concert in All Saints 14th June:Fund-raising is an important part of all our churches’ financial health. Victoria Smith, whose whole family has contributed in the past to our ‘For One Night Only’ concerts in All Saints, will be performing with other local musicians in All Saints on 14th June at 3.00. This concert will count towards her Gold Arts Award. Entry will be free, with a retiring collection for the church. There will be refreshments served after the concert. Please come and support V if you can.Holiday Bible Club 2026 ‘God’s People and the Temple of the Rising Son’:Bookings are now open for our Holiday Bible Club, which will run from 24th to 27th August. Luke and Lizzy S will lead it again, with help from Jenny and the home team. Please pass the word to any children (reception to Y6) you know, and if you would be willing to help on some or all of the days, please speak to Caroline. A link to the booking form is on our website.M&Ms take a break:The M&Ms home group will be taking a break during May and will resume in June.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:17th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Public worship with Communion by extension, All Saints24th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s31st May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s7th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints14th June 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s21st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All SaintsPlease note there will be no choral evensong in May.Dates & meetings coming up:20th May, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop24th May, 3.00 pm Wedding rehearsal, St Mary’s26th May, 12.30 pm Wedding of Elizabeth Whomsley & Sam Brown, St Mary’s27th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s2nd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s3rd June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall6th June, 1.00 pm Wedding of Mary Williams & Ben Jepps, All Saints13th June, 11 – 5 Standon Open Gardens, Standon14th June, 3.00 pm V Smith concert, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings:Acts 17:22-31 (p 1113) John 14:15-21 (p 1082)Roof work completed at All Saints:Praise God, the work on the roof at All Saints has been completed successfully, without significant complications, and on time. The protection inside the church has been removed and the scaffolding will come down as soon as the architect has inspected the work. Our thanks go to Ray, who has overseen the work and taken care of the team of roofers during the project.Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us in the Sargent 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 is on Thursday 14th May. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130.Holiday Bible Club 2026 ‘God’s People and the Temple of the Rising Son’:Bookings are now open for our Holiday Bible Club, which will run from 24th to 27th August. Luke and Lizzy S will lead it again, with help from Jenny and the home team. Please pass the word to any children (reception to Y6) you know, and if you would be willing to help on some or all of the days, please speak to Caroline. A link to the booking form is on our website.M&Ms take a break:The M&Ms home group will be taking a break during May and will resume in June.Standon Open Gardens 13th June:FOSM’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Standon Open Gardens will take place once again on the second Saturday in June. If you would like to help, please speak to one of the FOSM committee. If you can bake for the teas in the Village Hall or at Diana’s, please let Stephanie or Diana know.Concert in All Saints 14th June:V Smith, whose whole family has contributed in the past to our ‘For One Night Only’ concerts in All Saints, will be performing with other local musicians in All Saints on 14th June at 3.00. This concert will count towards her Gold Arts Award. Entry will be free, with a retiring collection for the church. There will be refreshments served after the concert.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:10th May 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s17th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints24th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s31st May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s7th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints14th June 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’sPlease note there will be no choral evensong in May.Dates & meetings coming up:20th May, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop24th May, 3.00 pm Wedding rehearsal, St Mary’s26th May, 12.30 pm Wedding of Elizabeth Whomsley & Sam Brown, St Mary’s27th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s2nd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s
This weekend’s Bible readings:Acts 7:55 – 8:1 (p 1100) John 14:1-14 (p 1082)Thank you:Thank you to all who took part in or attended the memorial service on Thursday for Ronnie. Jo has written from Libury Hall: ‘I wanted to personally say a huge heartfelt thank you for the most beautiful service that was held yesterday for Ronnie. The service was a huge testament as to how much Ronnie impacted all our lives. The contributions from all the church members was lovely. Please pass on my utmost thanks.’Mayday in Standon:Mayday is this Monday, and we are still welcoming offers of help. As usual, there will be various displays and live music in St Mary’s. We will need welcomers in church, and FOSM will be serving teas in the Village Hall. There is a signup sheet in the back of St Mary’s, or you can speak to Marion to volunteer to help in church, or to Stephanie if you can bake for or help in the Village Hall.M&Ms take a break:The M&Ms home group will be taking a break during May and will resume in June.Concert in St Mary’s, Ware, Monday 12.30 pm:Hugh Legg will be singing Vaughan Williams' song cycle, On Wenlock Edge, with the Ambrose Quartet and Paul Guinery (piano) at this concert on Monday.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:3rd May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints10th May 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s17th May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints24th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s31st May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s7th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsPlease note there will be no choral evensong in May.Dates & meetings coming up:4th May, all day Mayday celebrations, Standon High Street6th May, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th May, 2.00 pm Vacancy team meeting, The Old Top Shop20th May, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop24th May, 3.00 pm Wedding rehearsal, St Mary’s26th May, 12.30 pm Wedding of Elizabeth Whomsley & Sam Brown, St Mary’s27th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s2nd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s
