Helping our local Ukrainian community

Since the war in Ukraine began, the Parish has taken a number of initiatives to offer support to Ukrainians in Harpenden.  In the first phase of their arrival, we offered help with clothing, access to the swimming pool and holiday clubs, Christmas hampers, and welcomed them to coffee mornings and fun activities.  We continue to pray for them and for their friends and families in Ukraine.  We pray for peace and justice for all.

Most recently, we were pleased to host a special information session for local Ukrainians about finance and taxes.  This took place in the Church Hall at St. Nicholas’, as the photo shows.

Our friends in Markyate, at St. John’s Church, organise help for refugees locally and welcome your help.  See link here:

Our friends from Flamstead and Markyate churches continue to support refugees. Help is welcome to provide conversation and games at Markyate Baptist Church, Weds 2.30-4.30pm, or by providing clothing. Revd Jo Burke at St Leonards Flamstead is collecting donations of: warm casual clothing, casual coats, new socks and underwear, also bags or suitcases in good condition. These can be taken to Flamstead Church by arrangement, or direct to Markyate Baptist Church on a Weds pm.

Parish Profile

Our Parish Profile has been prepared as part of the process of appointing a new Rector. It is an opportunity to share the wonderful things that we do here in the Parish with those who are considering such a move.

Bon voyage Dennis!

Over forty parishioners from Harpenden attended the ‘Service of Licensing’ for Dennis Stamps as Associate Vicar of the Shill Valley and Broadshire Benefice, at St Peter’s Church, Filkins, on Tuesday 23rd July 2024.  This followed Dennis’ retirement as our very popular Rector and the marvellous send-off for him at St. Nicholas’ on June 9th

The service at St. Peter’s took place on a warm and sunny evening.  Both the church and the village of Filkins looked glorious, in their Cotswold-style, and we were made to feel most welcome by our hosts.  Members of our choir attended and, led by Marie Price, sang ‘We Praise Thee O God (Te Deum)’ by CV Stanford.  The service was led by the Bishop of Dorchester. 

We offer our prayers and best wishes to Dennis and Helen as they settle in to their new Parish in the Diocese of Oxford.

Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples

The Parish of Harpenden (All Saints’, St Mary’s, and St Nicholas’) is pleased to welcome the Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples.  All the clergy in our parish are happy to provide such prayers within a service upon request.  The PCC has unanimously endorsed this decision of the clergy and the use of the newly commended Prayers for Love and Faith.  As a parish we are committed to being an inclusive church, called to be caring, loving and welcoming to all.  Please contact the Parish Office (01582 765524) if we can assist.

Farewell to Dennis

Sunday 9th June 2024 was a marvellous celebration of Dennis’ time as our Rector.  The Parish came together to create a memorable send-off and so many people came and contributed to the special day.  It was a fitting tribute to Dennis’ wonderful leadership with us. The morning joint All-Parish Service at St. Nicholas’ Church was exceptional, and weaved together so many different styles of worship. The Church was full, the volume high and the warmth palpable. The afternoon Farewell Tea Party was very well attended, with cream teas, cakes, tea, music, crafts and presentations of cards, gifts and many warm words of thanks to Dennis and Helen.

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Planting a dead hedge

Having taken advice from local experts, Alex Melson and Tim Hill, as part of St Mary’s Eco Church initiative, a dead hedge has been started next to the wild flower area and the bug church. Rustic Sweet Chestnut stakes were kindly donated by the Tarmac company for this purpose.

Dead hedges are piles of branches and twigs arranged to form a barrier. They provide hiding places and nesting habitats for all sorts of creatures, as well as food for insects. As the hedge rots down, the nutrients are recycled back into the earth below, meaning garden ‘waste’ needn’t go into garden bins or bonfires.

Our Parish now Supports Azalea

Azalea means beautiful and dignified in ancient Greek and its mission is to empower and facilitate sustainable transformation in the lives of the men, women and neighbourhoods impacted by sex trafficking through several different projects. Sex trafficking is when an individual is coerced, forced, or manipulated into providing sexual access or services to a ‘punter’ often through threats of, or acts of, violence from a perpetrator.  So what work does Azalea do?

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St Mary’s Bug Church

St Marys bug church was filled up with twigs, leaves and other materials at our outdoor Simply Worship service. We found some caterpillars, and moved one into the bug church complete with his favourite leaves!

We added the Please and Thank you prayers to the prayer board in church. We are proud to have received our Eco Church silver award.

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