Parish News Roundup

A big thank you to all who helped in any way with the fete on 5 July and especially to Richard Parsons who, as usual, was the mastermind of the event. The profit was in the region of £3,500 plus a further £75 made by the Preservation Trust

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Richard is pictured at the event with Christine Stopford on his arm. Well done all round.

Welcomes: Following his ordination to the Diaconate at St. Albans Abbey in the morning of Sunday 29 June, a Sung Eucharist was held at All Saints at 6pm that day to welcome Fr. David Teasdel to the parishes. During the service he affirmed his commitment to his ministry here and was presented with a bible, a baptismal shell and a Home Communion set, as symbols of that ministry. He was also vested in stole and dalmatic, the robes of a Deacon at the Eucharist. The singing was joyful, the sermon on the theme of the task of ministry was both amusing and thought provoking and all went with a swing, followed by refreshments at which visitors and parishioners could meet in fellowship.

The following Sunday we welcomed Rev. Julia Boothby to the parish following her institution as Team Vicar of Billington and Eggington and Team Missioner, at a service of Choral Evensong at 6pm, at which she preached. This service too was followed by refreshments and was a very joyful occasion. (BW)

The PCC has agreed to support the Back to Church initiative on 28 September. Invitations to the 9.15am Parish Eucharist will be prepared and members of the congregation will be encouraged to take them to people who they haven’t seen in a church for a while to try and encourage their return. The service will include a special explanation of what is happening as it proceeds.

Support our bikers and hikers who will be taking part in this year's "Bike 'n Hike" on 13 September on behalf of the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. The Trust has been very generous to All Saints in recent years and this an opportunity to help raise some cash for them to pass on to other churches is the diocese struggling to fund urgent repairs.

Job's worth: There will be a series of four sessions from 8 - 9.30pm on Thursdays 2, 9, 16 and 23 October at All Saints to look at some of the key themes in this most interesting and challenging Old Testament book. Put the dates in your diaries now and perhaps read Job as your late holiday reading! Further information from John Wallace (375133).

CHANGING DIRECTION

Bill Britt, one of our churchwardens, has been accepted for theological training for the full time ministry. Congratulations to him. He has a busy time ahead!

CONFIRMATION/ADMISSION TO COMMUNION

There will be an open meeting for all adults and young people, aged 10 and above, who would like to think about the possibility of being confirmed or being admitted to Holy Communion prior to Confirmation.

The meeting will take place on Sunday 7 September at 4pm in St. Barnabas Church. A Confirmation has been arranged for Thursday 21 May 2009 (Ascension Day) at 7.30pm and any courses for adults and young people are likely to begin in early January. These courses will be organised on a team-wide basis and will only take place if there is a sufficient number of participants.