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.
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
8am Holy Communion, in Church (booklets in church)
10am Service of the Word, in Church and via Zoom (Order of Service available here ).
Please note that you will need to print your own order of service if you are coming to church.
SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
10am Parish Communion, in Church (booklets in church)
6pm Choral Evensong for Holy Cross Day, in Church (booklets in church)
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.
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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.
We’ll celebrate Holy Communion at 8am on Sunday 7th September, then 21st September and 5th October.
Talk after coffee at the 10am service on 7th September
Following a recent meeting about their work, Bill Macdonald will give a short talk about the work of the Stort Valley Schools Trust in local schools. This is one of the many charities supported by the Charities Support Group.
Craft Group meets on alternate Mondays, WCC, 10am-12noon, next on Monday 8th September
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).
Holy Communion, Wednesday 10th September, 10am
A service of Holy Communion, in church. Refreshments after the service are held in the WCC.
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.”
St Michael's 'Tiny Tots', Thursday 11th September, 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! If anyone has any puzzles with larger pieces, or games that don't have small parts, such as Buckaroo, draughts, chess and are looking to give them a new home please think of Tiny Tots. We would really appreciate them to keep the slightly older children busy. Thank you so much, Shell and Heather.
The first meeting to start planning the Holly Fair (6th December 10am) this year is Thursday 11th September at 8pm in the WCC
Please come along whether you're new or a regular. We raise money for the charities supported by our Charities Support Group. If you can help but are unable to be at the meeting please let one of the CSG know (e.g. Claire, Carole, Val, Martyn).
Bike 'n Hike 2025, Saturday 13th September 9am-5pm
This is the most important fundraising event for the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust - ride or walk around churches in the area to raise money for the trust, with 50% to our own church. It would be great to offer a cold drink and a smile to visitors here that day too: so please sign up
via the Parish Office if you can help for an hour or two! Sponsorship packs are also available if you’d like to take an active part.
Forthcoming Services using the Book of Common Prayer (1662)
Sunday 14th September, 6pm - Choral Evensong for Holy Cross Day
Sunday 26th October, 10am - BCP Choral Eucharist for Bible/Reformation Sunday
History Society's 'History Day', Saturday 20th September, 11am to 3pm, Windhill Churches Centre
Bishop's Stortford History Society, 70th Anniversary Celebration with Q&A Panel, Children's Activities, talks, stands, book stall and much more. St Michael's Bellringers will be present until 2pm to talk about the history of ringing in St Michael's
Tower Tours, Sunday 20th September, 2-4pm (last entry 3:30pm)
Adults £5, children free. Contact 07773 572135 / bells@saintmichaelweb.org.uk for more information.
Organ Recital with Richard Carr, Sunday 21st September, 3pm
All are warmly invited to our next recital. Please visit our
Music at St Michael’s page for more details of this and all forthcoming recitals.
Richard will play a rich selection of organ music by Bach, Finzi, Holst, Rawsthorne, Vaughan-Williams and Walton. The organ console will be visible to the audience via screen projection. The recital will last approximately 45 minutes. Tea and homemade cake will then be served. Following the recital, there will also be an opportunity to play our wonderful instrument, regardless of musical experience or ability, as part of the RCO 'Play the Organ Year 2025' initiative. All ages welcome!
Quiet Days in Albury, Thursday 25th September
Places are limited at these popular days of reflection and contemplation in June’s home; do contact the Office for more information.
TLC Tuesdays, next meeting on Tuesday 2nd October in the WCC, 2:15pm for 2:30pm
Join tea and talk and a regular short presentation on wide-ranging interests. Next month we welcome Paul Burrell, with his talk, ‘Musical Mischief - the Art of Creative Composition’.
Sheep knitting workshop, Monday 6th October, 10am-12noon, WCC
The Craft Group will be hosting a sheep knitting workshop to knit sheep for the Travelling Crib. All welcome, even non knitters can help!
Every Christmas the Travelling Crib passes between families accompanied by a bag of knitted sheep that are then brought back to Church for the Crib Service. Children love these sheep and unfortunately some sheep do not return to the flock, so we will be knitting replacements in time for this Christmas.
Please RSVP to Heather Tanner via the Parish Office so that we can ensure we have enough needles, wool, stuffing and, most importantly, biscuits for you!
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.