St Helens Church, High Street, Wheathampstead, St Albans, AL4 8AA. Worship Times: 10am every Sunday

02-Nov Midweek Email

 
 
  • Sunday’s Services
  • Remembrance Evensong – last chance to add a name!
  • Church of England Digital Charter
  • St Helen’s Fellowship Talks – all welcome!
  • Help us find our next Musical Director
  • Recycle your printer cartridges
  • Remembrance Sunday
SUNDAY’S SERVICES
Recently over 100 people completed a comprehensive survey about different aspects of the Worship at our churches.  At the 10am service on Sunday 6th November, Richard will be sharing the findings from the survey and our plans for the future.  After the service there will be a brief opportunity for feedback and questions in the Lady Chapel until 11:45am. Please join us, either in church or online.
This Sunday there will be another of our popular Mossy Church services at St Peter’s at 3.30pm. This time we think about Autumn as a time of rest. Please dress for the weather, as we will will be outside. Hot chocolate to follow! 
All welcome of all ages. Come and worship God outside in nature with craft and collecting activities.

This time of year is traditionally a season when we remember those we love but are no longer with us.  All are invited to a special “Remembering our Loved Ones” Evensong service  which we will also livestream. At this service, we will light a candle for your loved one and their name will appear on screen as the candles are lit. If you wish to add the names of the friends and relatives that you’d like remembered at the service, please click this link.  There is no limit to how many people you can ask to be remembered, and they do not need to have had any previous connection to Wheathampstead or St Helen’s Church! Alternatively, you can phone the church office on 01582 834031 to add a name. LAST CHANCE TO ADD A NAME – THE LIST WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY!

At October’s PCC meeting we discussed and agreed to sign up to the Church of England’s digital charter. This is a voluntary pledge for individual Christians as well as churches to sign to help make social media and the web more widely positive places for conversations to happen.

The digital landscape has changed so much in the last few years and will continue to do so as technology develops. It’s important to think about how the conversations we’re having can help change someone’s newsfeed for the better.

What does it look like to be a Christian online? Everyone’s engagement is different. Whether you’re a member of clergy using Twitter or a churchgoer replying to the comments on a blog, we all have different views, histories and areas of interest that will affect how we perceive things, and our responses to those events. The comments we make can reach thousands and even millions of people both in this country and around the world very quickly.

However, there are a number of ways we can make the digital world as loving and generous as we would when speaking face to face:

  • Truth – we should hold ourselves to high ideals of checking that what we post online is fair and factual.
  • Kindness – we are all different and that makes the world an interesting place – and at times a challenging one. Think the best of people, whether they share our views or are speaking against them and aim to be constructive in the way we engage.
  • Welcome – in the language we use and the way we interact. It’s easy for Christians to speak in another language using words that those outside the Church might not relate to.
  • Inspiration – we are called to be witnesses of our faith and to use social media in a way that genuinely engages others.
  • Togetherness – we are one Church and other members of this Church are our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is crucial we treat those around us in this way.
  • Safeguarding – if you have any concerns about the wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
  • Agree to the Church’s and Archbishops’ social media guidelines (www.churchofengland.org)
  • We will support all those who post online in connection with St Helen’s and St Peter’s to adhere to the points above and will be reviewing online posts regularly. Helen Caldwell, Churchwarden is the named officer to whom any concern regarding online content should be reported.
ST HELEN’S FELLOWSHIP THURSDAYS, 2.45PM AT MEAD HALL
  • Thursday, 10th November – A talk by Stephen Potter, St Albans Tour Guide
  • Thursday, 17th November – “Israel Reflections” by Louise and Brian Edwards
ALL WELCOME!
We are still looking for a new Organist and Musical Director. Please pick up a flyer or poster from church and give it to local musical friends. Word of mouth is our best chance of finding a good local candidate!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT ST PETER’S CHURCH!
We are having a cleaning morning at St. Peter’s Church on Saturday 12 November between 10am – 12noon.  If you are able to spare some time and come and help it would be greatly appreciated. For more information contact Kath Andrews on 01582 832267.
Your ink cartridges could help us raise funds for our church! If you have ink cartridges lying around at home and would like a quick and easy way to recycle them, bring them to St Helen’s Church! Do your bit to save the planet  – just pop them into the box in the Chancel. *Please note: we can only recycle ink cartridges, not laser or toner cartridges
Events and Activities this week (at St. Helen’s Church unless otherwise indicated). Please ask if you need further details
Monday 31st October9.30am – 11.30am  Coffee in the Chancel 11.15am – 12.15pm  Following the Message Study Group 7.30pm – 9.15pm  Bell Ringing Practice

Tuesday 1st November10.00am – 11.30am  Coffee in the Chancel

Wednesday  2nd November9.30am – 11.00am  The Ark Parent-and-Toddler Group 10.30am – 11.30am  Coffee NOT in the Chancel via Zoom1.30pm – 3.00pm  English Lessons for Ukrainians

Thursday 3rd November2.45pm – 4.15pm  St Helen’s Fellowship at Mead Hall Friday 4th November7.00pm – 9.00pm Choir Practice

Saturday 5th November9.15am Celtic Morning Prayer 10.00am – 11.30am Coffee in the Chancel Sunday 6th November 10.00am – 11.00am Parish Communion 12.00pm – 1.00pm Baptism of Isabelle Tate and Arya Tate 3.30pm – 4.30pm Mossy Church 6.00pm – 7.00pm Remembrance Evensong