This weekend’s Bible readings:Genesis 11:1-9 (p 12) Acts 2:1-13 (p 1093)Knit & Natter group:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us for a couple of hours in Standon village hall at 2pm usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be on Thursday 12th June. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683.Book stall news:John has been recommended a book called "Right to die?" by Andrew Goddard (please note this is not the book of the same name by John Wyatt). Lizzy will have some available on the bookstall in a couple of weeks (priced £5 each), but if you know you would like one, please let her know so that she can make sure she has enough: lizzy@ubsms.org.uk.Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is on Saturday.- 10 gardens will be open from 11 until 5; tickets will be on sale on the green.- Sandwich lunches will be available at the Lordship, salad lunches in church.- Teas will be served at the Village Hall, Oakford and the Old George.- The plant sale will be in the garden at the Star.- There will be live music in the gardens during the afternoon and a treasure hunt for children.The Mundens’ Open Gardens is on 28th June- 10 gardens will be open from 10 until 5; tickets will be available from Stag Hall or the church (or in advance at Standon’s OG).- Lunches will be served at Stag Hall.- Refreshments and plant sale will be available at All Saints.News from PCCs:Our PCCs met this week. We have received comments that many of us don’t know what is discussed at these meetings. The minutes can’t be shared until they are agreed at the following meeting, but here are some highlights:- The annual safeguarding policies were reaffirmed by all PCCs, and all PCCs discussed the letter received on nut allergies in church.- Sacombe are looking into the possibility of a new digital organ, as the present one has persistent problems. They also discussed the completion of the building work, especially in the light of the untimely death of Lodge’s contract manager, Darren.- The Mundens are planning for Open Gardens on 28th June and the quiz night on 13th September. They also agreed to try to go to tender this summer following the schedule of work for the chapel roof.- Standon reappointed its 5 members to the FOSM committee, and updated members on the tower work, which is going according to plan so far.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:8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints22nd June 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s29th June 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s6th July 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge18th June, 11.00 am Funeral of Bob Bennett, All Saints25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens The Mundens29th June, 5.00 pm Cantate picnic concert, St Mary’s2nd July, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts 16:16-34 (p 1112)Welcome to Axel:This weekend, we welcome Axel to our service, along with his family and friends. Axel will be baptised during the service.Midweek services:This week, we embark on a deep dive into Galatians chapter 5. Over the next 10 weeks, we will look in depth at the topics of freedom in Christ and resistance to sin, as addressed in this one chapter. We meet in St Catherine’s on Tuesday mornings at 9.30 (communion service) and in St Mary’s on Wednesdays, also at 9.30 (morning worship). All are welcome.Libury Hall service:Each month, a small group of us goes to Libury Hall to lead a short service and have some coffee with the residents. You would be very welcome to join us. The next one is this Wednesday; if you’d like to come along, please speak to John.Bereavement group meeting in All Saints 7th June:On Saturday June the bereavement group will meet again in Little Munden church from 2 - 4. This group is for anyone who has lost a partner whether recently or many years ago. This is an informal meeting to share tea and cake and to share experiences. You will receive a warm welcome. Just turn up on the day, or phone Heather on 07909 065550.Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End.A Meditation on the Seven Last Words of Jesus:The cellist, Kenneth Wilson, along with his carbon fibre cello are cycling a 2000-mile pilgrimage around all 42 English Anglican Cathedrals, performing this Meditation in nearly all of them. The Meditation is accompanied by seven small abstract paintings by Gillian Lever, each depicting the seven last words. Kenneth will be at St Albans Abbey on Thursday 5 June at 6.30pm. It lasts about an hour and is free, with the opportunity to make a donation to his pilgrimage. More details can be found at: www.kennethwilsoncello.com.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 June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints22nd June 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s29th June 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’sDates & meetings coming up:3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th June, 2.00 pm Bereavement group, All Saints14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens Dane End & surroundings
This weekend’s Bible reading:Acts 16:9-15 (p 1111)Welcome to Winston:This weekend, we welcome Winston to our all-age service, along with his family and friends. Winston will be baptised during the service.Choral evensong:This weekend, we will hold our monthly service of choral evensong in St Mary’s. Please join us as our benefice choir leads the music in this service from the Book of Common Prayer that has been part of the worship in our churches for hundreds of years.Midweek services:This week, we will have the last of our looks at Issues of Life and Death, considering the topic of war. From next week, for the next 10 weeks we will be looking in depth at Galatians chapter 5. Come and join us, in St Catherine’s at 9.30 on Tuesdays (communion service from the BCP) or in St Mary’s at 9.30 on Wednesdays (a short service of morning worship). In both cases, the talk is followed by a time of discussion, and often there is more discussion over coffee. Everyone is welcome.Midweek Music:On this coming Wednesday 28th May the Midweek Music concert will be given by Rebecca Watts (Legg) on the harp. Do come along and have a relaxing half hour from 12.30, preceded by light refreshments served from 11.30am. Free to come along and opportunities to donate to all three churches in our Benefice.Congratulations to Jade:Following her recent selection process, which itself came after months of interviews and assessments, we are delighted to report that Jade has been accepted for ordination training. Our congratulations go to Jade, along with our prayers for her and her family as she sets out on this next stage of her Christian journey.Coffee pot conundrum:One of the coffee percolators from St Mary’s has gone walkabout. We know that sometimes the pots are taken home, either to use up the left over coffee or to clean them, but one hasn’t returned. If you know where it is, please speak to Stephanie.Bereavement group meeting in All Saints 7th June:On Saturday 7th June the bereavement group will be meeting again in Little Munden church from 2 till 4. This group is for anyone who has lost their partner either recently or many years ago. This is a very informal meeting to share a cup of tea and cake and to share our experiences. If you would like to join us you will receive a warm welcome. If you would like to just turn up on the day that is fine, or phone Heather on 07909 065550 (but please note that she’s away for much of the rest of this month).Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is approaching fast, and it will be closely followed by Dane End’s. Standon’s is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. At each there will be teas, lunches, plant sales and beautiful gardens to view. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End.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 May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th June, 2.00 pm Bereavement group, All Saints14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens Dane End & surroundings
This weekend’s Bible readings:Acts 11:1-18 (p 1105) John 13:31-35 (p 1082)Pop Up Shop:Thank you for your past generous support of the 4th Sunday pop up shop. As you probably know, all profits went to the Buntingford Food Hub, for which we raised £190 up to March 2025. The shop is currently having a rest, but will be reappearing later in the year to sell The Real Advent Calendars and then The Real Easter Eggs. These are Fair Trade items and include an important Christian message. We look forward to seeing you then.And bookstall:Lizzy will be away next weekend, so the bookstall won’t be at the service. If there’s something you would like, though, please let her know and she will get it for you when she’s back.Electoral Rolls:The electoral rolls for each church in the Benefice are open again following the APCMs. If you missed out on joining as part of the recent renewal, please speak to Carole, Hugh or Wendy or look at the back of the church for an application form.Bereavement group meeting in All Saints 7th June:On Saturday 7th June the bereavement group will be meeting again in Little Munden church from 2 till 4. This group is for anyone who has lost their partner either recently or many years ago. This is a very informal meeting to share a cup of tea and cake and to share our experiences. If you would like to join us you will receive a warm welcome. If you would like to just turn up on the day that is fine, or phone Heather on 07909 065550 (but please note that she’s away for much of the rest of this month).Open Gardens and Open Gardens!Standon Open Gardens is approaching fast, and it will be closely followed by Dane End’s. Standon’s is on 14th June and Dane End’s is on 28th June. At each there will be teas, lunches, plant sales and beautiful gardens to view. In both cases, we’re looking for helpers, please, and cakes for the refreshments. Please speak to one of the FOSM committee about Standon, or one of the Mundens PCC about Dane End.Rota gaps:At our APCMs we have heard about all the work that goes on behind the scenes to enable our witness and worship. There are many places where we could do with more volunteers, but Little Munden desperately needs a few more on the cleaning team. If you could help for a couple of hours every few months, please speak to Sue Palmer.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 May 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All Saints25th May 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s1st June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints8th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s15th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy communion, All SaintsDates & meetings coming up:21st May, 5.00 pm Benefice finance committee meeting The Old Top Shop28th May, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s3rd June, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, St Catherine’s4th June, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall7th June, 2.00 pm Bereavement group, All Saints14th June, 11 – 5 Open Gardens Standon & Puckeridge25th June, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s28th June, 10 – 5 Open Gardens Dane End & surroundings
