Category: Mission

Sermon:Harvest

Sermon – St Marys – Harvest
Readings: Joel 2:21-27, Matthew 6:25-33

Have you noticed this wonderful water pump? Restored and renovated by Rob Hemmin to be part of our display today, it represents clean water for all and enough rain to water our crops; as we explore the theme of water. Our superb flower arranging team have put lots of thought into all of these windowsills to reflect our focus on Eco church: the areas where wild flowers were planted or encouraged to grow, to help our wildlife; the pollution of our seas, oceans and rivers; and the importance of our trees and woodlands.
I want to talk about our own use of water, and to take us beyond ourselves to the Bishops Harvest appeal “Water is Life”.

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Parish Giving

Please consider how you might support the mission and ministry of this parish. The church is a charity. It depends on the generosity of those who attend to keep it going and to pay for its running costs.

In order to make regular contributions to the Parish, please consider joining the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). A Direct Debit can be set up by following this link https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/harpenden-st-nicholas-st-albans/ or by calling the dedicated hotline on 0333 002 1271, quoting our unique Parish Code (320 632 245) or by scanning the QR code with your mobile device . If you have any queries, please contact The Parish Giving Recorder, Claire Petevinos, by email: giving.recorder@parishofharpenden.org

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All Saints’ Church Life

Church life carries on throughout the week, and we encourage members to engage in whatever ways they feel comfortable, and according to their gifts and inclinations, though we recognise that many members hold demanding jobs placing limits on their free time.

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St. Mary’s Eco-Church

At St Marys we are participating in Eco Church: A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth.

Their resources are designed to equip a church to express its care for God’s world in its worship and teaching; in how the church looks after its buildings and land; in how it engages with the local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of its congregation.

We want to be a church which cares for creation as an integral part of loving our neighbours and following God faithfully.

You can find out more about Eco church here:  Eco Church – An A Rocha UK Project

Please take a look at this wonderful water pump below; restored and renovated by Rob Hemmin to be part of our harvest display, it represents clean water for all and enough rain to water our crops; as we explore the theme of water. Our superb flower arranging team have put lots of thought into all of these windowsills to reflect our focus on Eco church: the areas where wild flowers were planted or encouraged to grow, to help our wildlife; the pollution of our seas, oceans and rivers; and the importance of our trees and woodland

St. Mary’s Looking Outwards

St Mary’s has a strong tradition of outreach beyond the district and raises and donates money to a variety of causes including the Jeel al-Amal Boys Home in Jerusalem, toys and gifts for British Humanitarian Aid, Signposts and Azalea in Luton, Canine Partners, and The Children’s Society. Fund-raising activities have brought the church and the local community together on several occasions and our hospitality has been much enjoyed by those who come. These include the Harvest Supper, the annual fete and quizzes. People often take part in the Good Friday March of Witness in the town and an annual inter-church quiz. St Mary’s has growing links with the three schools in the district (two primary and one secondary).

Action review, add links

Jeel al Amal

Jeel al Amal (“Generation of Hope”) Boys’ Home and School in Bethany

St Mary’s has held Jeel al Amal in our prayers ever since 1999, when our own Rev’d Duncan Swan led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, during which a number of people from St Mary’s visited the Home in Bethany, in the Palestinian West Bank.   There they saw the dedication and the love that the surviving founder and her staff showed to the boys – as one of our members described it, “Christianity in action”.   They determined to continue to support the Home, and ever since, St Mary’s has held events in aid of Jeel, and our coffee money has been devoted to Jeel.  

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St. Mary’s Bible Study Group

Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) notes are available to order for private use at home. These include a daily passage from the bible to read with a reflection and prayer.

On the last Friday afternoon of each month a small group gather at St. Mary’s for an informal discussion based on their readings .

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Mothers Union

Mothers Union Harpenden Banner

Parish of Harpenden Mothers’ Union (which dates from 1895) normally meets every last Thursday of the month  at 2.15pm. and is part of a International Christian Charity.

We have 50 members, some of whom do not regularly attend meetings; but they each receive a bi-monthly Newsletter.  Members are invited to St Albans Diocesan MU events where we learn what is happening around the Diocese and further afield.  Members also receive a Diocesan magazine three times a year and also publications from our headquarters in London.

As members of the worldwide Mothers’ Union our principles are founded on the support of marriage and family life and is rooted in prayer.

We generally have a speaker for our meetings, but also we may have a Meditation or just a social gathering.

The Committee keep in touch with their particular members and see that they are well, or in need of help and/or prayer.

Branch Contact:  Chris Powell, who can be contacted via the Parish Office

updated Jan 2022
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