Last Sunday was a busy day which marked the Third Sunday of Easter, occurring as it did in the midst of the May Bank Holiday with two services of worship in the morning, followed by the 12:45pm Spring Sunday Lunch in the Chapter House. The 8am Said Communion, Order Two, is always a peaceful and prayerful occasion when the wording follows a more traditional form, based as ever on the Book of Common Prayer. Reader Rosemary's homily was based in part upon the lesson from Acts where Jesus makes his third appearance since his crucifixion, summoning his earliest disciples who had returned to their traditional work as fishermen and not having much luck with their catch. Christ's words were: "Feed my sheep. Follow me." These intimate and encouraging words continue to be his message. Next Sunday marks the start of Christian Aid Week when we will follow a project so designed as to being hope to some of our poorest rural communities in the Third World.
Reverend Liz requested that we look closely at our latest Pew Sheet and/or our more detailed website in order to take in the various projects with which we are presently involved or will be soon. This coming Sunday, 11th May, at 11:45am, we are having our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, always an occasion to see how busy we all are and to thank those who have given so much of their time and talents over the past year. It will involve the voting in of new officers, including new members of the PCC. A lot of literature and statistics has already been published, including the state of the finances and forecasts ahead.
In addition to our regular morning worship on the 11th, there will be our more informal, lay-led, Sunday @ 6, the theme being very much centred on Christian Aid.
Alan, Bishop of St Albans, after 16 years of being our Diocesan Bishop, will be retiring on 31st May. Hence, there will be a Farewell Service at the Abbey Church, St Albans, giving us an opportunity to say thank you for all those dedicated years of commitment. The service will take place at 3pm on Sunday, 18th May.
Confirmation will take place at St Andrew's on Sunday, 15th June. Jane, Bishop of Hertford, will be there to confirm young people and adults and this will also be for some of the young people to qualify for Admission to Communion. The service will begin at 10am.
Regarding Christian Aid Week, 11 - 17 May, there will be a Christian Aid Big Breakfast from 9am on Saturday, 17th May in the Chapter House.
Lookinf further ahead, Holiday Club 2025 will themed as Jungle Adventure and will take place during the week beginning 11th August.
This year's Country Fayre will be on Saturday, 20th September, and this will mark the 40th anniversary of this event. The two chosen charities will be the Willow Foundation and the MS Trust. More will be recorded on what these charities represent and the outstanding work that they do in the near future. Two very worthy causes.