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 23rd FEBRUARY

(NO SERVICE AT 8AM)

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

SUNDAY 2nd MARCH

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 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 wondering 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.

Commemoration of the Invasion of Ukraine service, Saturday 22nd February, 10:30am at the Methodist Church
Mione Goldspink has arranged another Remembrance/Commemoration for the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians are being incredibly brave, living with fear and worry every single day. You are all invited to join them. The event will only last about half an hour.

The Marriage Course, at the Charis Centre from Monday 24th February at 7.30pm
Each of the seven sessions begins with sharing refreshments as a couple, followed by a fun, insightful video covering topics that are relevant for every couple.
Each couple's privacy is respected as there is no group discussion and no requirement to disclose anything about their relationship to anyone else. The course, while based on Christian principles, is very helpful for any couple with or without a Christian faith or church background. You can book in HERE.

Holy Communion, Wednesday 26th February, 10am

A service of Holy Communion, in church. Refreshments after the service are held in the WCC.

Quiet Days in Albury, Thursday 27th February

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

St Michael's 'Tiny Tots', Thursday 27th February, 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 all 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.”

Lunchtime Recitals, Thursdays 27th February and 6th March, 1:30pm
We are delighted to welcome back students from Bishop’s Stortford College to St Michael’s for a series of half hour/forty minute recitals. Free admission, retiring collection.

Forthcoming 8am services

We’ll celebrate Holy Communion at 8am on Sundays 2nd and 16th March.

The Harmonaires Choir & Manor Fields Primary School present 'Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose', Saturday 1st March, 4pm
Join The Harmonaires Choir as they celebrate their 10th birthday year with the help of the outstanding children from Years 3 and 4 of Manor Fields Primary School. You will be transported back to the sea shanties that stormed the seven seas, as we tackle a Drunken Sailor on our sea faring adventure. Tickets £10 (children £5) available via Ticket Source here.

Craft Group meets on alternate Mondays, WCC, 10am-12noon, next on Monday 3rd March

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 4th March in the WCC, 2:15pm for 2:30pm
Join tea and talk and a regular short presentation on wide ranging interests. Carol Giffen, from Herts & Essex Boundary Flower Club, will be our speaker next month with her talk, ‘The road to Chelsea and beyond’.

Ash Wednesday, 5th March
We will offer Holy Communion with optional imposition of ashes, at 10am and 7:30 pm. There will be hymns and music at both services.

Divorcecare Course, from Thursday 6th March, 7:30-9:30pm, Charis Centre
Are you wondering what it's like to participate in a DivorceCare support group? Learn what people who've been through the program think about their experience. DivorceCare is a safe place where caring people come alongside you as you find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. At this 13-week, video-based support group program, you'll find helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil and practical tools for decision-making.
The cost of the course is £20 to cover the cost of the workbook.
However if anyone has financial difficulties, we wouldn't want that to prevent them from taking part in the course - so please contact office@ccbs.org.uk in confidence.

Holiday Bible Week dates for the diary
AGM 6th March, 7:30pm at the Charis Centre; 'HBW Sunday' 9th March, when registration opens for both children and volunteers. HBW 2025, 'Once upon a time...' from the Monday 4th-Friday 8th August.

Spring Coffee Morning, Saturday 8th March from 10am in the WCC
All welcome! Fresh coffee/tea and cakes ... plus a cake stall, toy stall, raffle and good as new/unwanted gift stall. Come and join us for a cuppa! Any helpers and cake bakers most appreciated (contact Gill).

Supporting Dalit Children Presentation, Sunday 9th March
During our coffee fellowship after the 10am service we are delighted to welcome Dinah Findlay, who will tell us more about the charity she founded, which we are supporting in Lent this year.

Lent Reflections, Tuesdays from 11th March, 12-12:30pm in the Lady Chapel
All are warmly invited to join these sessions during Lent. This year our theme is Lent Reflections on Everyday Objects, with a reading, reflection, hymn and prayer. Each session will be followed by a frugal lunch at 12:30pm in the WCC, in aid of the two charities supported by our Charities Support Group Lent Appeal this year. See the Lent and Easter 2025 page for more information; there are a few copies in the Publicity Area too.

Note for your diary – On Sunday 16th March at 11:15am we will celebrate Holy Communion and Litany, using the Book of Common Prayer.

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.

Sunday 23rd March, 3pm - Choir Recital
We are delighted to welcome "It’s Good to Sing” Upper Voices Choir, with their Conductor, David Boarder.

Free admission, retiring collection, tea and homemade cakes afterwards.

Two early dates for your diary - Saturday 3rd May and Tuesday 3rd June
Another Quiz Night, on Saturday 3rd May raising much needed funds for a Leprosy Mission project. Similar lines to our November event with more details later. Also the TLC Club invites you to join them at their annual Mystery Tour on Tuesday afternoon 3rd June (booking in April).

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.