Forthcoming Events

See the Church Calendar for information about services and events. Below is further information about some of these events and information about other events that we have been asked to publicise.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

SUNDAY 22nd DECEMBER

(NO SERVICE AT 8AM)

10am Parish Communion
6pm Choral Service of Nine Lesson and Carols

CHRISTMAS EVE
3:30pm Crib Service
11pm Midnight Mass, with Carols by the Choir from 10:30pm

CHRISTMAS DAY
10am Parish Communion

SUNDAY 29th DECEMBER

(NO SERVICE AT 8AM)

10am Parish Communion, in Church (booklets in church)

SUNDAY 5th JANUARY

8am Holy Communion, in Church (booklets in church)
10am Service of the Word, in Church and via Zoom (Order of Service available here in due course).
Please note that you will need to print your own order of service if you are coming to church.

Godly Play for children and young people in the Lady Chapel during the 10am service.
We’re delighted to offer refreshments to enjoy in (or outside) the WCC after the 10am service.

Zoom

When you are signed in you can ‘Join a Meeting’ (See newsletter for ID and Passcode).
Alternatively you can phone in (Call 0131 460 1196 then follow instructions, entering Meeting ID and Meeting Passcode, followed by hash (#), as instructed).

Whether or not you might like to do this, let’s be aware of the prayerful communion in God’s Spirit that we all share, wherever we are, whether or not we are able to see one another.
I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will, I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1.9-11.

We’re delighted to share a short session for children and young people during our Sunday 10am service, EVERY WEEK!

We invite them, with their adults, to come into the Lady Chapel during the sermon and prayers, and share in a short Godly Play (a visual storytelling of scriptures, with wonde

ring questions to share together). There's a new breakout session for older children at the same time, same place now too, on the Second and Fourth Sunday of every month!

Individual personal prayer, early morning to mid afternoon each day

The church is generally open from early morning to mid afternoon every day. Please do publicise this amongst those you know: there must be many people who would value an opportunity to spend some comforting time in prayer, peace and reflection in these times. May our church’s light shine in the darkness.

Prayers for our Community, 9:30am, every Saturday, in church

We meet each Saturday for a half hour session of informal prayer for those within our community and issues which affect our town and community. All welcome.

Holy Communion, Wednesday 18th December at 10am

A service of Holy Communion, with music and a hymn, in church. Refreshments afterwards will be held in the Windhill Churches Centre.

St Michael's 'Tiny Tots', Thursday 19th December, starting at 12:30pm

Held weekly in the Windhill Churches Centre, Tiny Tots is for parents/carers and babies/preschoolers during term time, plus older children / siblings are very welcome during inset days and school holidays. It is around 1.5 - 2 hours starting with playtime and tea/coffee, then songs, stories, activities and a prayer. The Windhill Churches Centre (CM23 2PE) has easy buggy access and baby change facilities. You're welcome to bring a packed lunch too! It is also ok to be late, we understand! We look forward to welcoming you soon!

FREE hot food at Thirst Youth Café for secondary school children (11-18's), Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3.30pm

This is part of the “Warm Spaces” initiative. Food available whilst stocks last. Menu changes weekly.”

Churches Together will be singing carols in Jackson Square on Saturday 21st December from 11am-12noon following a rehearsal and prayer in St Michaels from 10am.
We will be collecting for the Night Shelter. If you can hold a tune, or could hand out information about what Christmas is truly about and what churches are doing, please join us to make this a powerful witness in our town. Email Nathan for more information at churchestogethercarols@gmail.com

Advent and Christmas Services at St Michael’s
All details here and on flyers in the Publicity Area but note our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 6pm on Sunday 22nd December, Holy Communion at 8am, Crib Service at 3:30pm and Midnight Service at 11pm (with Choir Carols from 10:30pm) on Christmas Eve. We’ll celebrate Parish Communion at 10am on Christmas Day. We would welcome volunteers to read at Nine Lessons and Carols, speak to Derwyn if interested.

2025 starts at St Michael's with some worship
There will be Holy Communion at 10am on Wednesday 1st January 2025.

Forthcoming 8am services

We’ll celebrate Holy Communion at 8am on Sunday 5th and 19th January and 2nd and 16th February.

Craft Group meets on alternate Mondays, WCC, 10am-12noon, next on Monday 6th January

All welcome! We sometimes bring along our own current crafting hobby and sometimes one of the group shares a craft. In the past we have done sewing, knitting, crochet, paper crafts, macramé and book folding. We usually prepare items for sale at the annual St Michael’s Church Holly Fair (all proceeds of which go to local, national and international charities).

TLC Tuesdays, next meeting Tuesday 7th January in the WCC, 2:15pm for 2:30pm
Join tea and talk and a regular 10/15 minute presentation on wide ranging interests. Robert Oliver will be our speaker next month, on a subject of his choice.

Piano Recital, Sunday 26th January at 3pm
Neil Crossland is a distinguished British pianist, composer and recording artist. The recital will include music by Vivaldi, Beethoven, and by Neil himself. Find out more, with programme notes, here. Free admission, retiring collection, tea and homemade cakes afterwards.

Quiet Days in Albury, Thursday 30th January Neil Crossland January 2025

Places are limited at these popular days of reflection and contemplation in June’s home; do contact the Office for more information.

Cursillo Away Weekend, 21st -23rd March 2025, Diocesan House of Retreat, Pleshey
St Albans Cursillo is part of a movement within the Anglican church which helps to strengthen our faith and witness, as many St Michael's members have found. Please see the blue leaflets in the Publicity Area for more information. We are holding our next weekend away at Pleshey from 21st to 23rd March 2025 and if you are interested, please contact John Emmett, via the Parish Office.

Bereavement Journey Course

For anyone bereaved at any time; with films and discussion groups. It's the chance to explore grief in a safe space. If you are interested and would value a preliminary conversation please contact Alison Jordan via the Parish Office.