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

15-July Midweek Email from the Rector
 

Included in this email:
  • The mid-week catch up interview with Rosanna Milner
  • Date for the diary – Mid-week Communion on Wed 22nd July 
  • Details of the Summer Hampers project for this year
  • A vacancy for a key role in the life of our church

 

 
 
This week’s Mid-Week Catch Up is an interview with Choral Scholar, Rosanna Milner – Rosanna explains how her life has changed during Lockdown, and reflects on the way we’ve expressed gratitude as a nation during this difficult time.

Click here to view the video.
 

Midweek Catch Up with …

 

 
 

Date for your diary – Midweek Communion – Wed 22nd July

 

 
 

I’m delighted to announce that our first service back in church together will be a simple service of Holy Communion on Wednesday 22nd July at 2:30pm.   (There will be another, similar service on Wed 29th July) Please be assured that we have put careful thought into how to hold the service in the safest manner possible. However, we know that for many reasons, lots of you are still not ready to return to physical church services – and we’re not putting any pressure on anyone to do so.   For those of you who ready to return, it will be a real joy to be worshipping together back in the church and we look forward to giving you a very warm welcome.
*** Please do NOT come to church if you are unwell – especially with any symptoms of Covid-19 ***

(We had previously thought it would be a morning service, but have changed it to the afternoon to fit with the work of the Summer Hampers team and to avoid a clash with Coffee NOT in the Chancel)

 

 
 

God’s heart is that all his children (young and old) are kept safe from harm – so safeguarding is at the heart of the Christian faith and requires action by all churches to promote a safer culture.  St Helen’s and St Peter’s in Wheathampstead is looking for a new Parish Safeguarding Officer to ensure the continued care and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in our church activities.  Do you have relevant experience working with vulnerable groups? Could you help our church to make sure children, young people and vulnerable adults are as safe as possible?

This is a voluntary position which will involve liaising with the Rector, Churchwardens, PCC and other key individuals in the church family.  Training and support are available locally and from the Diocese.

The role requires an enhanced DBS check and references.  Please call or email Helen Caldwell (our Churchwarden) for more information. Thank you for considering how you can make a difference to our church life in this vital role.  Helen Caldwell  – helen_caldwell2000@yahoo.co.uk –  07974 762997.

 
 

Make a difference –  Parish Safeguarding Officer.

 

 
You will have seen from last week’s email the sad news that Hugh L’Estrange died on Saturday 4 July. The funeral and burial will be held in St Helen’s churchyard at 3pm on Friday 24 July. The service will be outside with a PA system, so if anyone happened to be out walking in a socially-distanced way at that time, St Helen’s churchyard is very accommodating!
Please continue to pray for Susan and their family.
 
 

Summer Hampers: fighting holiday hunger.

For several years we’ve distributed food during the summer to combat “holiday hunger.”  The situation this year is different, but the need is the same (even with continued support from the government).  Once again we aim to deliver essential food supplies to all the families that request it via the two primary schools in the village.  Rather than requesting donations of food, this year we are asking for your financial support so we can make a bulk purchase.*  There are a number of ways you can do this…. 
Click here to donate by debit or credit card.   
Bank transfer details: Sort Code: 40-52-40, Account No: 00099644 (Ref: Hampers)
Cheques made payable to Wheathampstead PCC can be delivered to The Rectory, Old Rectory Gardens. Wheathampstead. AL4 8AD.

*If we receive more funding than we need for the Hampers Project, the excess money will be put towards the St Helen’s Community Fund which support families such as these throughout the year. 

 

 
 

Let’s get social…  

We look forward to catching up on your latest news either on Sunday at 11am or Wednesday from 10:30am.  Please use the links below as we gather together using the video conferencing platform Zoom.


Click on the Meeting ID and password to join either session.

Coffee After the Online Service Coffee NOT in the Chancel
Every Sunday at 11am Every Wednesday from 10:30am
Meeting ID: 844 7123 3219
Password: 527776		 Meeting ID: 828 3397 7877
Password: 304021

In addition to these social events, you are invited to join us for Morning Prayer.  We meet at 9am from Monday to Thursday and on Saturday using Zoom. Download the details here including links to the liturgy we follow. 

 
 

We’re here for you and help is at hand!
We have set up teams offering both pastoral and practical support, so please let others support you – they are keen to do so! Hilary Hollick is helping organise this – so do contact her by email here, or on 01582 832567.  Alternatively call the village wide helpline “Support for All” on 01582 380910.