Bible readings:Philippians 4:1-9 (p 1180) Matthew 22:1-14 (p 990)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 15 October. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683.Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal:In the next week or so, Lizzy will be clearing her attic of all the shoeboxes and gifts she and others have collected during the year, ready to send to children in areas affected by war, natural disaster, or some other catastrophe. There are three ways you can help:1. Fill a shoebox with gifts (ask Lizzy for the list of what's allowed and not allowed) and leave it in St Mary's or give it to Lizzy or Caroline.2. Contribute gifts to be packed - things Lizzy is always short of are small toys and games, little treats for teenage girls (eg hair accessories, eye shadow, keyrings) and small toys for toddlers.3. Donate money so that Lizzy can use it to buy things she is missing for boxes, or to pay for the travel costs.Cash can be given to Lizzy or Caroline, or you can transfer it to the Standon PCC bank account with the reference "OCC".Thank you in advance for your support - every box filled is another child who will know someone cares this Christmas.Little Angels help:We could do with another person or two on the rota of helpers at Little Angels, especially as winter bugs start to appear. Helpers arrive at 9 to set up, welcome the children and their carers, make tea or coffee, prepare the children’s snack and clear up the church afterwards. We are usually finished a few minutes after 11. If you think you would like to help, please speak to Caroline or Cate.Floodlights at St Mary’s:The floodlights at St Mary’s are still awaiting a repair and currently they aren’t operating. Please take great care if you’re accessing or leaving the church in the dark. Some of the fluorescent tubes in the vestries are also awaiting replacement, so please bear with us if you’re affected.Making St Mary's Sparkle:The cleaning groups do a wonderful job but at a recent meeting of the St Mary’s cleaning teams, we felt a Spring Clean would add that extra sparkle. All the equipment needed will be available, and all are welcome! It will be on Saturday 24th October, 10.00 - 11.00 followed by refreshments.If you are able to join one of the teams in any of our churches, please speak to the church wardens.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’sOn Tuesday 10th November, the Little Munden School choir will join us again for our Sacombe service of Remembrance at 9.30. All are welcome.Sunday services:11th October 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints25th October 10.30 am Family worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st November 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints3.00 pm Service of Memories, St Mary’s8th November 10.30 am Remembrance Sunday service, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:15th October, 12.00 Funeral of Terry Thrussell, St Mary’s20th October, 12.00 Funeral of Pamela Harwood, All Saints28th October, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th October, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop30th October, 11.00 am Funeral of Audrey Morton, All Saints
Bible readings:Philippians 3:4b-14 (p 1180) Matthew 21:33-end (p 990)FOSM Thank you:Thank you to all who supported the candlelit supper in St Mary’s on Friday evening. The sums are yet to be finalised, but it’s looking as if we raised around £1,400. It was a lovely occasion, with excellent entertainment between courses from David Ranford and Jane Goldstraw.Encouragements in the benefice:Our PCCs met this week and spent some time reflecting on the many blessings in our benefice in this time of vacancy. Amongst other things we heard about the cafe, the Christianity Explored course, the development of the Little Munden School Choir which meets weekly in All Saints, the new Wednesday morning bible study at St Mary's and the recent success of the Holiday Club.Please pray for all involved in the life and witness of our churches and for the next round of recruitment for a new Rector to lead us.Floodlights at St Mary’s:The floodlights at St Mary’s are awaiting a repair and currently they aren’t operating. Please take great care if you’re accessing or leaving the church in the dark. Some of the fluorescent tubes in the vestries are also awaiting replacement, so please bear with us if you’re affected.Making St Mary's Sparkle:The cleaning groups do a wonderful job but at a recent meeting of the St Mary’s cleaning teams, we felt a Spring Clean would add that extra sparkle. All the equipment needed will be available, and all are welcome! It will be on Saturday 24th October, 10.00 - 11.00 followed by refreshments.If you are able to join one of the teams in any of our churches, please speak to the church wardens.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:4th October 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints25th October 10.30 am Family worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st November 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints3.00 pm Service of Memories, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall8th October, 10.30 am Funeral of Ryder Duggan-Carr, St Mary’s15th October, 12.00 Funeral of Terry Thrussell, St Mary’s20th October, 12.00 Funeral of Pamela Harwood, All Saints28th October, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th October, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting, The Old Top Shop
Bible reading:Luke 10:1-12 (p 1041)Harvest appeal:This weekend completes our series of harvest services for this year. Our appeal this year is to support the work of John and Gillian, who work in the slums of Bangkok. They are fundraising to set up a safe house for boys, to add to their safe house for girls, offering support for children who live in abusive families. Donations can be made to any of our churches’ bank accounts, or given to one of our treasurers.There are special envelopes in St Mary’s for any donations in the service.Harvest Choral Evensong Sunday, 6.00 pm in St Mary’s:Our monthly choral evensong service, this month with a harvest theme, will be back this weekend, after a break in August. Please join us for this centuries old contemplative service, with music led by our benefice choir.Safety reminders:Many have commented how friendly our churches are and how good they always look. That is in large part due to our committed cleaning teams. We are reminded of or Safe Working procedures:- if you find yourself working alone in the church, always phone or tell someone where you are- always welcome visitors and show them the leaflets and information at the back of the churchMaking St Mary's Sparkle:The cleaning groups do a wonderful job but at a recent meeting of the St Mary’s cleaning teams, we felt a Spring Clean would add that extra sparkle. All the equipment needed will be available, and all are welcome! It will be on Saturday 24th October, 10.00 - 11.00 followed by refreshments.If you are able to join one of the teams in any of our churches, please speak to the church wardens.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:27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints25th October 10.30 am Family worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’sDates & meetings coming up:27th September, 12.30 pm Baptism of Brody McLean, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall8th October, 10.30 am Funeral of Ryder Duggan-Carr, St Mary’s15th October, 12.00 Funeral of Terry Thrussell, St Mary’s
Bible readings:8.00: Psalm 105:1-7 (p 607) Matthew 20:1-16 (p 987)10.30: Joel 2:22-27 (p 913) John 6:25-35 (p 1070)Harvest appeal:Our harvest services this year are on 20th, 22nd and 27th September. Our appeal this year is to support the work of John and Gillian, who work in the slums of Bangkok. They are fundraising to set up a safe house for boys, to add to their safe house for girls, offering support for children who live in abusive families. Donations can be made to any of our churches’ bank accounts, or given to one of our treasurers.The collection in All Saints this Sunday will be for the appeal.Midweek Music at St Mary’s:The midweek lunchtime concerts restart this coming Wednesday, 23rd September and this month’s will be given by the local professional violinist, Jo West, accompanied by Michael Smith on the piano. As usual there will be refreshments from 11.30 and the concert starts at 12.30 for about 30-40minutes. This is a great opportunity to support local musicians and entry is free. Any donations are shared between all three churches in the Benefice. We look forward to welcoming you.Candlelit Supper in St Mary’s, 2nd October:Tickets, at £30 per head, are on sale for FOSM’s candlelit supper in St Mary’s on 2nd October. A three course meal will be served by candlelight, with musical and dramatic entertainment between courses. A licensed bar will be available. To book, please speak to Diana 07718 734897.Away From It All (AFIA) holidays:AFIA is a Mother's Union (MU) project giving families in need of a holiday an opportunity to spend time away. It is open to anyone who has not been on holiday for over 3 years due to health, financial problems, bereavement, family reasons or situations beyond their control and who cannot afford a vacation. MU will arrange & pay for accommodation and/or transport, depending on the family's circumstances. The family will need a recommendation from a vicar, head teacher, social worker or doctor. If you know of anyone who would benefit from a holiday, please contact MU by email: awayfromitall.stalbans@yahoo.co.uk or ring 07438 474225 & an application form will be sent. If you need any further information before contacting MU please ring Diane on 07949 665365.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:20th September 8.00 am Communion by extension, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion for harvest, All Saints27th September 10.30 am Family worship for harvest, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s4th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints11th October 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s18th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:23rd September, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s24th September, 9.00 am Roger de Clare harvest service, St Mary’s27th September, 12.30 pm Baptism of Brody McLean, St Mary’s28th September, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Mary’s29th September, 2.30 pm Little Munden School harvest service, All Saints2nd October, 7.30 pm Candlelit supper in St Mary’s, St Mary’s7th October, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
