This morning’s Bible readings: Acts 1:1-11 (p 1092) and Luke 24:44 – end (p 1062).Choral evensong in Bury St Edmunds 4th June: The benefice choir will be singing Evensong in St Edmundsbury Cathedral next Saturday, 4th June at 3.30pm. There is no coach this time, but the service is open to any who would like to attend and might enjoy an afternoon in Bury St Edmunds! The service will be live-streamed on their Facebook page, which can be accessed via their website.Standon & Puckeridge Open Gardens 11th June: Thirteen gardens will be open this year, and there will be various activities and exhibitions at a number of locations – see the website for details. If you would like to be involved, please speak to Diana or Caroline. If you’d like to come and enjoy the gardens, the art, the music, the refreshments, tickets are £8 in advance, £10 on the day, available from Diana on 07718 734897.Standon Flower festival 8th – 10th July: The date for the Flower festival draws closer- in 6 weeks’ time St Mary's will be full of floral displays which will represent the words of Jesus. Lots of people from across the benefice and beyond have been working hard on plans and designs, getting props and looking after greenery in their gardens. However, we are in need of helpers of all sorts, both in the run up and during the festival: fixing silk flowers onto fabric; cutting fabric into strips; making tea for the preparation days from Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th; welcoming people at the event; watering displays where needed, etc., etc. If you can help, please see / email Marion (marionsmith1456@gmail.com).Holiday Bible Club 2022: The HBC will be held 29th August to 1st September. It will be based on the Chronicles of Narnia, and will, in four days, cover Creation, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost! We will be appealing nearer the time for help, but if you’d like to know more about what’s involved, or how you might contribute, please speak to Caroline or Lizzy.Advance notice: Len Sparks' memorial concert of jazz music will take place in St Mary's on Saturday 10th September at 7pm. More details will follow, but please note the date.Rotas of all sorts – still more help needed, please: This notice has been running for some time now, but we still don’t have enough volunteers in some areas. Please consider prayerfully whether you can help. We need help, please, with the rotas for all sorts of tasks in both St Mary’s and All Saints.Website: Our new benefice website is on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform. The benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice. Please visit it to see the range of information there.DVDs: We have been given some DVDs, which are available in the porch of St Mary’s for anyone who would like them. There is, of course, a pot for donations! Please feel free to browse. Services for the next few weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning Worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:Sunday 29th May 10.30 am Morning Worship, St Catherine's4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 5th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30 am Morning Worship, All SaintsSunday 12th June 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary's4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 19th June 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary's10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 26th June 10.30 am Morning Worship and baptism, St Mary's4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints
This week’s Bible readings:1 Corinthians 12:12-13 and 27 (p 1153).Holiday Bible Club 2022:We are planning for the HBC, to be held 29th August to 1st September. We will meet with Luke this afternoon, 22nd May, at 2.00 pm at Caroline’s. If you would like to be involved in this year’s HBC you are very welcome to come along. If you’d like to know more about what’s involved, or how you might help, please speak to Caroline or Lizzy.Jubilee Evensong:This Sunday, 22nd May at 6.30pm in St Mary's the benefice choir will lead us in a service of Choral Evensong to mark the Queen's platinum Jubilee. Music will include the Queen's two favourite hymns (come and find out what they are!), 'The Call of Wisdom' by Will Todd and a new anthem by Thomas Hewitt Jones called 'In our service'. This stirring piece picks up the themes of duty and service and includes words from the Queen's own speeches. The choir will also be singing this when they sing Evensong in Bury St Edmunds Cathedral at 3.30pm on Saturday 4th June.Mothers’ Union meeting:The next meeting of Braughing with Standon Mothers' Union will be on Wednesday 25 May 2022 and will start at 2.30pm in the Old Boys School Braughing. Kim Wilkinson will be the speaker. Her topic is our theme for this year-Transformation - Now! Everyone is invited to this meeting. Please ring Diane on 01920 821130 for more information.Choral evensong in Bury St Edmunds 4th June:The benefice choir will be singing Evensong in St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Saturday 4th June at 3.30pm. Whilst there is no coach this time, the service is open to any who would like to attend and might enjoy an afternoon in Bury St Edmunds!DVDs:We have been given some DVDs, which are available in the porch of St Mary’s for anyone who would like them. There is, of course, a pot for donations! Please feel free to browse.Congratulations to Ralph:Ralph has completed his coast to coast walk, and has so far raised an incredible £3,500 for the final stages of the reordering at Sacombe. He assures us that his feet will recover! Ralph would like to thank everyone who offered encouragement and sponsorship, and to assure you that his Just Giving page will remain open for a little longer! www.JustGiving.com/Ralph.Paddock21. If you’d like to read his blogs from the walk, please contact Ralph.Brockholds Manor Garden Theatre presents PYGMALION - BOOKING NOW OPEN!Contact Juliet on 01920 822113. On Saturday 6th August, George Bernard Shaw’s masterpiece will be brought to the stage by a cast of 5 actors in DOT productions’ unmistakeable, entertaining style. Gates open 5 p.m. Prosecco on arrival. 2-Course Buffet Supper. Licensed Wine and Pimm’s Bar. £45 per ticket, or £40 per ticket for car share of 4 or more. All profits to benefit St Catherine's re-ordering fund.Rotas of all sorts – still more help needed, please:This notice has been running for some time now, but we still don’t have enough volunteers in some areas. Please consider prayerfully whether you can help. We need help, please, with the rotas for all sorts of tasks in both St Mary’s and All Saints.Website:Our new benefice website is hosted on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform - go to the site and search for our churches (the benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice). There is a growing library of interesting information on the site, and all the latest benefice updates (including upcoming services and events, the latest notices sheet to download, weekly updates and prayer topics, and much more!).Services for the next few weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday, 22nd May 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints6.30 pm Jubilee choral evensong, St Mary’sSunday 29th May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 5th June 8.00 am Holy communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsSunday 12th June 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints
This week’s Bible readings:John 3:26-30 (p 1066), Revelation 19:6-9 (p 1247).Holiday Bible Club 2022:We are starting to plan for the HBC to be held 29th August to 1st September. A theme of Narnia has been suggested. We will meet with Luke next Sunday, 22nd May, at 2.00 pm at Caroline’s. If you would like to be involved in this year’s HBC you are very welcome to come along. Please let Caroline know so that she knows how much cake will be required! All potential helpers are invited, and if you’d like to know more about what’s involved, or how you might help, please speak to Caroline or Lizzy.Jubilee Evensong:On Sunday 22nd May at 6.30pm in St Mary's the benefice choir will lead us in a service of Choral Evensong to mark the Queen's platinum Jubilee. Music will include the Queen's two favourite hymns (come and find out what they are!), 'The Call of Wisdom' by Will Todd and a new anthem by Thomas Hewitt Jones called 'In our service'. This stirring piece picks up the themes of duty and service and includes words from the Queen's own speeches. The choir will also be singing this when they sing Evensong in Bury St Edmunds Cathedral at 3.30pm on Saturday 4th June.Jordan trip:Keep a lookout on the website for the vlog (video log) from Jordan. We are hoping to post daily on where we are and what we are doing. The trip is until 18th May.Brockholds Manor Garden Theatre presents PYGMALION - BOOKING NOW OPEN!Contact Juliet on 01920 822113. On Saturday 6th August, George Bernard Shaw’s masterpiece will be brought to the stage by a cast of 5 actors in DOT productions’ unmistakeable, entertaining style. Gates open 5 p.m. Prosecco on arrival. 2-Course Buffet Supper. Licensed Wine and Pimm’s Bar. £45 per ticket, or £40 per ticket for car share of 4 or more. All profits to benefit St Catherine's re-ordering fund.Support for the foodbank:For some years, we’ve supported Buntingford foodbank, which supports families in Buntingford and surrounding villages, including our own, and is increasingly in demand. We have collection boxes in all our churches, and we arrange online deliveries directly to the collection point in Buntingford. In 2020, our average order was £320. It is now £746, and still growing. If you can, please help us continue our support. Please let neighbours, friends, relatives know about the work that Karen and her team are doing. If you need to make use of the foodbank she is ready to help.Rotas of all sorts – still more help needed, please:This notice has been running for some time now, but we still don’t have enough volunteers in some areas. Please consider prayerfully whether you can help. We need help, please, with the following rotas:All Saints:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every couple of months – speak to Pauline- Flower arranging – no previous experience needed! - speak to Deborah or Heather- Welcoming and serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to any of the current team - Reading or leading intercessions in services – speak to a churchwarden- Helping with café on Wednesday afternoons – speak to Carole or DeborahSt Mary’s:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every 6 weeks – speak to Rita- Helping in the churchyard, 1st Saturday morning of each month – speak to Mike or Sarah- Bell ringing (practice night Tuesday) – speak to Tracey- Welcoming or serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to Angie or Wendy- Reading or leading intercessions in church – speak to Angie or Wendy- Joining the streaming rota to be set up in the near future – speak to Angie or RichWebsite:Our new benefice website is hosted on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform - go to the site and search for our churches (the benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice). There is lots of interesting information on the site, and all the latest benefice updates (including upcoming services and events, the latest notices sheet to download, weekly updates and prayer topics, and much more!).Services for the next few weeksMidweek services each week: Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine’s Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 15th May 8.00 am Ante communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 22nd May 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints6.30 pm Jubilee choral evensong, St Mary’sSunday 29th May 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 5th June 8.00 am Holy communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
This week’s Bible readings:1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (p 1146).Standon Annual Meeting:This Sunday, immediately after the 10.30 service, we will hold the APCM for Standon. If you’re on the electoral roll of St Mary’s, please stay and hear how the parish is doing and what the challenges are that we plan to tackle in the coming year.Website:Our new benefice website is live! It is now being hosted on the www.achurchnearyou.com platform - simply go to the site and search for one of our churches (alternatively the address for our benefice page is: www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7825/benefice).There is a lot of interesting information on the site, and all the latest benefice updates (including upcoming services and events, the latest notices sheet to download, weekly updates and prayer topics, and much more!). Please tell Mark at markacnywebsite@gmail.com of any recommended changes or additions, and he will share them with the team working on the website. It is also here that you will be able to view John's Jordan vlog... the first episode is now online and ready to view!Jordan trip:Keep a lookout on the website for the vlog (video log) from Jordan, now active. We are hoping to post daily on where we are and what we are doing. The trip is 9th to 18th May.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 12 May 2022. For more information please contact Marion on 01920 745683.FOSM AGM, Friday 13th, 7.30 pm in St Mary’s:The annual meeting of the Friends of St Mary’s will be on Friday evening, and will be followed by a talk by James Ridings entitled ‘Where the wild things are’. Please come along to support the Friends and to hear about our local wildlife and conservation.Support for the foodbank:For some years now, we’ve supported Buntingford foodbank on a regular basis. The foodbank supports families in Buntingford and the surrounding villages, including our own villages, and it is finding itself increasingly in demand as the current cost of living increases bite ever deeper. We have collection boxes in all our churches, and we also arrange for online deliveries to go directly to the foodbank collection point in Buntingford. Karen contacts us when she’s running low on stock, and in the last 12 months we have ordered more than £3,700 worth of groceries. This has been funded by our own congregations’ donations for this purpose, and people have responded generously to the need around us.In 2020, our average order was £320. In 2021 it was £562. In the first 4 months of 2022 it has been £709. At the moment, each and every month, Karen and her team are breaking their previous record for the number of food parcels delivered. The need is immense and growing. At the same time, we understand that our church members are not immune to their own financial pressures.If you can, please help us continue our support. Donations of money can be made physically by giving them to Caroline. You can donate online (please use reference ‘foodbank’) to: CAF Bank Ltd; Sort code 40 52 40; Account Standon PCC; Account number 00032168. If you’re a tax payer, please fill in and let us have a gift aid form (available from Caroline - treasurer@ubsms.org.uk). That means we can claim back from HMRC any tax you’ve already paid on your donation, and the foodbank gets even more!Please let neighbours, friends, relatives know about the amazing work that Karen and her team are doing. If you’re able to support her work, thank you; if you need to make use of the foodbank she is ready to help.Rotas of all sorts – still more help needed, please:Many of our routine tasks are performed by volunteers who take turns on a rota system, but many of our rotas have significant gaps. We need help, please, with the following:All Saints:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every couple of months – speak to Pauline- Flower arranging – no previous experience needed! - speak to Deborah or Heather- Welcoming and serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to any of the current team - Reading or leading intercessions in services – speak to a churchwarden- Helping with café on Wednesday afternoons – speak to Carole or DeborahSt Mary’s:- Cleaning – in a team, taking a turn every 6 weeks – speak to Rita- Helping in the churchyard, 1st Saturday morning of each month – speak to Mike or Sarah- Bell ringing (practice night Tuesday) – speak to Tracey- Welcoming or serving coffee on Sunday mornings – speak to Angie or Wendy- Reading or leading intercessions in church – speak to Angie or Wendy- Joining the streaming rota to be set up in the near future – speak to Angie or RichMayday:Thank you to all who contributed to a successful Mayday. FOSM raised £1,253 from teas, salads and Lizzy’s cards. Many were welcomed into the church, and the music was much enjoyed. If you have bowls or cake boxes to collect, they’re in the St Mary’s kitchen!Services for the next few weeksMidweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP), St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:Sunday 8th May 10.30 am Holy communion, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday 15th May 8.00 am Ante communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints4.00 pm The Centre, All SaintsSunday, 22nd May 10.30 am Morning worship & baptism, St Mary’s4.00 pm The Centre, All Saints6.30 pm Jubilee choral evensong, St Mary’s
