Category: Community

‘Pause for Thought’ contributor installed as Rector of Harpenden

St Nicholas’ Church, Harpenden was full to capacity last Sunday for the Institution and Induction of the new Rector of Harpenden, the Reverend Patrick Moriarty. A congregation of some 400, with many more watching the live stream of the service on Facebook, joined the Bishop of Hertford, Jane Mainwaring, and the King’s representative, Marion Brown, to welcome the new Rector. Harpenden Mayor, Pip Liver, and local MP, Victoria Collins, led the civic leaders attending.

In his new role, Patrick will oversee worship across three Anglican churches in the town, St Nicholas’, St Mary’s and All Saints.

Patrick commented, “My family and I were touched by the greeting we received on Sunday. Harpenden is such a fantastic town and I’m excited to meet the people and explore my new home. St Nicholas’, St Mary’s and All Saints are a huge part of community life in Harpenden and we’re looking forward to becoming a full part of that. With Easter only a few weeks away, I can’t think of a better time to be starting my ministry here, as I build on the success of my predecessor.”

Patrick was ordained to the priesthood in 2018, alongside his career in education. He was Headteacher of the Jewish Community Secondary School in Barnet between 2012 and 2022. He is a Trustee of the Council of Christians and Jews, a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2’s ‘Pause for Thought’ and a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. He is married with grown-up and school-age children and has most recently been Associate Priest at St Stephen’s and St Julian’s Church in St Albans.

He succeeds Rev’d Canon Dennis Stamps who had been Rector since 2012 and moved to a new Parish in the Cotswolds last summer.

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.

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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Harpenden Learning for Leisure

Join a Course run by Harpenden Learning for Leisure (HLfL)
If you are interested in the world, keen to keep your brain active and want to participate in an activity with like minded people then an HLfL course may just be what you are looking for.

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Covid

WORSHIPPING SAFELY in our THREE CHURCHES:

As Covid restrictions are lifted, we hope people will feel safe returning to church. Covid has not gone away, but we are learning to live with it. We still encourage people coming to church to wear face masks and to maintain sensible spacing to protect others around them as we worship together. Hand sanitiser is available as well. We offer Holy Communion in as safe a way as possible. Our online service streaming will continue for those joining from home.

A hive of activity at All Saints’

All Saints’ church hall was a hive of activity last Saturday when the church hosted the first Repair Fair organised by the recently formed St Albans District Fixers. Some 40 attendees brought all manner of electrical and electronic goods including toasters, lamps, audio equipment, kitchen items and laptops for a skilled band of 8 amateur fixers to work their magic on. Bike repairs and servicing, and clothing and fabric repairs were also undertaken by other volunteers, skilled in their own fields. Meanwhile two members of the All Saints’ Catering Committee plied fixers and those awaiting a fix with teas, coffees and delicious home-made cakes.

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Cornelia’s gives £6000 to charities

CORNELIA’S is delighted to announce that it is able to distribute £6,000 to the
following charities. This is a fantastic amount which will hopefully be well received by
the charities. A huge thank you to all customers and volunteers.
• £500 Citizen’s Advice Bureau (Harpenden)
• £1,000 The 267 Project
• £500 JUMP
• £500 STEP
• £1,000 Open Door (St Albans)
• £500 Orphans Know More
• £500 Rennie Grove Hospice
• £1,000 MIND in Mid Herts
• £500 Mercy Ships

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