Join us in St Helen’s Church at 10am for our All Age Communion Service, led by guest minister Rev Canon Tim Lomax. Tim is the Director of Mission and Ministry in the Diocese and a Residentiary Canon in the Cathedral. He is interested in how church is part of God’s mission and the role of church in today’s world. He is married to Kate, who you may remember, led some of our services last year. Come and listen to what Tim has to say. If you can’t join us in church, please join us online. Click here or on the image above for the YouTube link
Please pray for regular attendance and a fresh commitment from the congregation. If people are unwell or away for a long time we pray for their health and speedy recovery.
Please pray that we would have wisdom when reviewing the program of activities and commitments the church has. What is feasible and wise to do in this period.
Please pray for good communication. People need to feel both informed and listened to. This includes the wider community not just the church.
Please pray for how people are feeling, their emotions at this time of change. We want the soul of the church to stay healthy.
The usual Morning Prayer sessions will continue to run in church (Monday and Tuesday) and on Zoom (Monday – Wednesday).
Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity 17th – 25th January 2026
Christian Unity will be celebrated in a Songs of Praise service at Chapel Halls at 3pm on Sunday 25th January. All welcome
Lent Course 2026
‘Living in the Light’ is a 5 part study that looks at the long journey of a people coming to terms with their relationship with God, and the struggle of holding onto faith in difficult circumstances. Alongside that, we look at Jesus and his own struggles against temptation, but also the developing picture of who Jesus is and what that means for us all. There’re plenty of questions to discuss as well as notes and space for thought and prayer. Please join us!
The course will begin after Ash Wednesday (18th Feb) and will end before Easter (5th April). Weekly sessions Monday – Wednesday, afternoons and evenings. Look out for sign-up forms in church from Sunday.
St Helen’s Fellowship
MEN AND WOMEN welcome at St Helen’s Fellowship! Programme below. Unless otherwise stated all meetings are held in The Mead Hall between 2.45 and 4.15 pm. The cost is £2 per week. Anyone who would appreciate a lift to meetings, please ring Gill Gwinn who will be able to tell you if we can help with this. Thanks.
Alban Re-imagined. A talk about St Alban given by Stephen De Silva, St Alban’s Abbey Guide
19th March
Chair Exercises with Sarah Donnelly
26th March
Social and Board Games
2nd April
Maundy Thursday Holy Communion
Ink Cartridge Recycling
Do continue to bring in your ink cartridges to St Helen’s Church! Your support will help raise funds for 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
Snowdrop Garden Open Days — Possibly for the Last Time —
in Support of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust
We are pleased to share that the Bishop of St Albans’ Garden will open to visitors in February 2026, offering a much-loved chance to enjoy God’s creation in its early spring beauty. Next year’s openings may be the last time the garden is made accessible to the public, making the occasion especially meaningful.
Thousands of snowdrops and other early bulbs will be in bloom, creating a peaceful, uplifting place to wander and reflect. All proceeds will go directly to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, which helps fund essential repairs to historic churches across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Open Garden Dates
Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD
• Saturday 14 February
• Sunday 15 February
• Saturday 21 February
• Sunday 22 February
Time: 2pm–4pm
Entry: £5 per adult (all proceeds to the Trust)
All are warmly invited to visit the garden—perhaps for the final time as we are not sure if the new Bishop will continue to allow the garden to be opened to the public —enjoy its seasonal beauty and support the preservation of our cherished church buildings.
If you have a concern about someone else or yourself:
please call 07870748773 or e mail Christine.anstice@yahoo.co.uk
Events and Activities this week (at St. Helen’s Church unless otherwise indicated).
Please ask if you need further details
Monday 26th January
9.30am – 11.30am Coffee in the Chancel
11.00am – 12.00pm Coffee+ Group
7.30pm – 9.15pm Bellringing Practice
Tuesday 27th January 9.30am – 11.30am Coffee in the Chancel
Wednesday 28th January
9.30am – 11.00am The Ark Parent-and-Toddler Group
7.45pm – 9.00pm Contemporary Evening Worship
Thursday 29th January
12.00pm – 1.00pm Funeral Service for t/l Kathryn Reed-Boucher
2.45pm – 4.15pm St Helen’s Fellowship at Mead Hall
Friday 30th January
Saturday 31st January
9.15am – 10.00am Celtic Morning Prayer
10.00am – 11.30am Coffee in the Chancel
Sunday 1st February
10.00am – 11.00am Parish Communion Service
3.30pm – 4.30pm Kids Worship
5.00pm – 6.30pm Youth Group
