Readings:
Palm Sunday 13th April
10am: Eucharist with the blessing of Palms and dramatised reading of the passion, with music and children's activities.
Maundy Thursday 17th April
8pm: Liturgy of Maundy Thursday, with the stripping of the altar and watch night prayer at the altar of repose following the service until 10pm.
Good Friday 18th April
11am: Gather on Howardsgate with Christians from across the garden city for prayer, song, and witness. Followed by Hot Cross Buns at the URC Church (opposite Sainsburys).
2pm: The Liturgy of Good Friday with veneration of the cross.
Holy Saturday 19th April
8pm at St Albans Cathedral: Easter Vigil and first Eucharist of Easter with Holy Baptism and Confirmations. Join us as we celebrate the first celebration of the Resurrection at the Cathedral and support our parish candidates as they are confirmed.
Easter Day 20th April
10am: Eucharist with music and activities for children, followed by Easter Egg Hunt.
The Church of England's Electoral Roll is a register of church members who are eligible to vote at the Parish's Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), with individuals required to complete an application form to join or update their details during the revision or renewal period every six years. It is not a church 'membership' list, but rather entirely about eligibility to vote.
In 2025 there must be a complete renewal of the Electoral Roll, not just a revision. This means that every person, who wishes to have their name entered on the new Roll, whether you have previously been registered or not, must apply for enrolment.
Enrolment will close on Sunday 27th April and will be in effect at our APCM on Sunday 18th May.
Click here to register for the electoral roll
Bishop Alan’s Retirement
Bishop Alan announced on 7 January that he would retire at the end of May this year after sixteen years as our Diocesan Bishop. He has led the Diocese with great faithfulness and inspiration as he has encouraged and enabled us to live God’s Love with generosity and joy, imagination and courage. Amongst his far-ranging contributions to the national church and public life has been his role in the House of Lords, where he has convened the Lord’s Spiritual.
We write to let you know about two things that are happening to mark Bishop Alan’s retirement.
Farewell Service
To celebrate his commitment and to say thank you there is to be a Farewell Service at our Cathedral at 3.00pm on Sunday 18 May. The service is open to all. It would be great if every parish/benefice could be represented at the service.
Diocesan Gift
We are intending to give Alan a gift from the Diocese to thank him for his episcopate and to wish him well as he moves to Wiltshire in retirement. If your PCC, or any individual, would like to contribute to this please pay your gift into this account:
- Account Name: St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance
- Account Number: 20776041
- Sort Code: 20-05-03
- Reference: BISH2025
(Please note that the use of the correct reference is vital, as without this funds will not be allocated correctly. Any funds submitted without a valid reference are automatically donated to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal).
Bishop Alan encourages us, especially all licensed ministers, to join him for the Maundy Thursday Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 11.00am on Thursday 17 April.
Once again, we give thanks for Bishop’s Alan’s ministry amongst us and hold him in prayer as he prepares to leave the Diocese.
+Jane, Bishop of Hertford and +Richard, Bishop of Bedford.
Our brothers and sisters at the Methodist Church are following a lent course at 12noon on Thursdays. Please speak to Caroline Duke if you would like to join them.
This year's pilgrimage will no longer be going ahead due to issues with travel timings. We look forward to a future pilgrimage in spring 2026.
New Zion Christian Fellowship food bank is open every Wednesday 9-11am. You may drop items in from 8am on Wednesdays at 140 Cole Green Lane AL7 3JE. Please use the food bank based at the back of church if you wish to give items. Items that are particularly in need currently are long life milk, cereals, variety of tinned meat (meatballs, hotdogs, chicken curry or chicken in white sauce), cleaning products and toiletries including sanitary products.
Those who are unwell: Heather, Martin, Penny, Craig, Sue, Wendy, Maisie, Nicky, Angie, Pat, Louisa, Val, Mark, Naomi, Carol, Peter, Anna, Elsie, Tim, Roger.
Those who have died in recent weeks: (None listed this week)
For the growth of St Mary Magdalene Church:
God of Mission, Who alone brings growth to your Church of St Mary Magdalene, Send your Holy Spirit to give Vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, And power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, In spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
If you would like to request that we pray as a church for someone known to you, please first make every attempt to ensure that they would like to be prayed for by those at St Mary Magdalene. We will be conducting a monthly review of our Prayer List. If there is anyone who should come off the list or go on the list, please notify the churchwardens, Janice and Godfrey.
Thank you for all those who have responded prayerfully to our generosity season - your faithfulness and generosity is really very much appreciated.
You can also set up and amend your gift by telephone: Call 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Tuesdays 11am-1pm, Parish Centre Hall Grove
Find Friendship at the Compassionate Cafe! Join us at Mary & Isabel's Compassionate Cafe for refreshments, friendly faces, and companionship. A warm welcome awaits everyone.
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