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

19-Sep Email from the Rector

 

WELCOME BACK TO CHURCH!

Parish Communion service  20th September at 10am
It was a great joy to welcome over 60 people back to St Helen’s church for Sunday morning worship again!   And we look forward to seeing you again on Sunday.  Everyone is welcome – please note the new time of 10am.)

This week we continue our series reflecting on the lessons we’ve all been Learning During Lockdown.  I wonder what lessons you’ve learnt?

It’s been a challenge to balance our individual freedom with our responsibility to the wider community.  We explore what advice the Apostle Paul has on this subject.   Please email me your suggestions of “learning” we should include.

For those who are able to come, we very much look forward to seeing you in person!  For those who are not able to join us in church, click this link to view the Online Sunday Service on YouTube. Or click here to view it via our website.
 
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • Capacity is limited – First come first seated!
  • Everyone will need to wear face masks,
  • Use the hand sanitiser provided
  • Do NOT come if you are feeling unwell.
Could you be a Welcomer..?
We are looking for volunteers to help prepare the church and greet the congregation for the Sunday 10am services so that a rota can be put together for the next few months.
Working in a pair, this involves arriving at 9.15am to lay the altar, putting out a few chairs in the chapels and chancel, welcoming (from behind a mask!) the congregation as they arrive and encouraging them to use the hand sanitiser, wear a mask and sit safely apart.  At end of the service a little tidying away is needed.  Full training is given!  For more details please email helen_caldwell2000@yahoo.co.uk
Calling all families!

Whilst we are not able to offer a creche area with shared toys or stories during the service, we would love to see you at our 10am Sunday services. Feel free to bring quiet toys for little ones, or grab an activity pack and borrow our pencils, scissors and glue to have some arty fun around a different story each week.

The new government restrictions mean we cannot hold the service outdoors at The Rectory (because it’s a private home).  So, the family service on Sunday 20th Sept at 3.30 will be in St Helen’s Church.  We look forward to seeing you then and for Kids Worship on Sunday Oct 4th at 3.30pm.  All welcome.
 

Online Sunday Service

 

 
We are pleased to announce Coffee in the Chancel is re-opening on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 11.30am and will be serving our delicious barista style hot drinks and teas – with (limited) tasty snacks.  Do come along – but only if you feel comfortable to do so!

We are strictly complying with Covid guidelines with fewer chairs and tables and are adhering to all hygiene rules, including regular cleaning to keep you and our helpers as safe as possible. There are no crèche area toys out at present though parents/carers are welcome to bring their own children entertainment.
Wednesday Ark/coffees and Saturday morning are not reopening yet.
All are welcome to our Harvest Service – Sunday 27th Sept, 10.00am.
Come together to give thanks for the abundance that God has provided.
This year, we are supporting The Bishop of St Alban’s Harvest Appeal. Click on this link to see how you can contribute to “a Buzz in Nepal”, Donations can be made by cash, cheque or debit/credit card. Donations of dry goods will go to the Azalea Project Luton. Appreciated items include tins (with ring pulls) of soup, beans and spaghetti, fruit, sweet or savoury rice (dried or tins), coffee, sugar, cereals, drinking chocolate, bottles of squash, biscuits (savoury and sweet).

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. 

The Week Ahead …

20th September
10am Parish Communion Service in St Helen’s Church. Everyone is welcome to join us to worship together. For those who are not able to come, please follow this link to our online Sunday service.
11am Zoom Coffee after the online service. Would you like a chat about the service – or just a social catch up? Join others online. (Bring your own tea / coffee and biscuit). Click on the Meeting ID and password:
Meeting ID: 844 7123 3219                     Password: 527776
3.30pm Kids Worship in St Helen’s Church. Our first family service since lockdown! We are SO looking forward to seeing our families again.

21st September
9-11.30am Coffee in the Chancel. We are back in St Helen’s Church serving our delicious barista style hot drinks and teas – with (limited) tasty snacks.  Do come along! We are strictly complying with Covid guidelines with fewer chairs and tables and are adhering to all hygiene rules, including regular cleaning to keep you and our helpers as safe as possible. There are no crèche area toys out at present though parents/carers are welcome to bring their own children entertainment.

9.00am Morning Prayer via Zoom. We meet Monday-Thursday and on Saturday. 
Download the details here including links to the liturgy we follow. 

22nd September
9-11.30am Coffee in the Chancel in St Helen’s Church

9.00am Morning Prayer via Zoom (link above)
23rd September
9.00am Morning Prayer via Zoom (link above)

10.30am Coffee NOT in the Chancel. Not ready to return to church but longing to catch up with friends? Join us on Zoom – just click on the link below:
Meeting ID: 828 3397 7877
Password: 304021

24th September
9.00am Morning Prayer via Zoom (link above)
 25th September
 26th September
 27th September
10am Harvest Communion Service in St Helen’s Church. 

Looking for New PCC Members

Members of all of our congregations are invited to consider offering themselves for the PCC (Parochial Church Council). There are currently 3 vacancies which we hope to fill at our APCM on 6th October. You would be joining a group of individuals of varying ages, experience and interests – united in our commitment to our church family and to the wider community. The impact of Covid-19 is compelling us to re-think how the church can best serve those who join us in church or on-line as well as all those without such links. A crisis does and should make us think about what is really important and how we equip ourselves for uncertain times.

Richard and the PCC members are Charity Trustees who serve as the representative and decision-making body of the Church in a parish. They share responsibility for the church’s buildings and financial health. They promote our church’s mission and vision in the community. We meet monthly (except for August and December) from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. You need to be on the Electoral Roll (or to become so). Please give it thought and speak to a current member or contact me as Hon Sec: stephen.wilson02@hotmail.co.uk  tel: 01727 863490.

APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting): An Important Date

Our APCM will be held on Tuesday 6th October 2020 at 7:30 pm.
This will be a Zoom meeting, and the invitation to join the Zoom
APCM will be distributed closer to the date.

The APCM offers you a report on Church activities in 2019 and the Financial Statements for that year.

Anyone on the Electoral Roll can vote for new PCC Members and
Deanery Representatives. We have lived through challenging days.
Please join us to reflect on our role in a changing situation.

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.