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to reproduce in full or part in parish magazines and newsletters.
Announcing that he will retire on
7th January 2009, his 65th birthday, Bishop Christopher
said: “As I look ahead to these last few months I realise how vibrant the
diocese is and how much I have valued the tremendous variety of people in our
communities and the many ways in which they express their thriving, living
faith.”
On 8th November 2008 the diocese
will say goodbye to Bishop Christopher in his last public engagement, a special
Service in St Albans Abbey.
Read the press release here.
LENT
Be a
better Neighbour during Lent
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are encouraging us
to make the world a better place in small and simple ways, such as leaving a
thank-you note for the postie or going a whole day without gossiping. The Love
Life Live Lent booklets produced by Church
House Publishing contain other suggestions for each day in Lent. This
year, daily suggestions are also available through social networking sites
including Facebook,
MySpace and
photo-sharing website Flickr
.
Fairtrade
Fortnight falling in the middle of Lent this year from 25th
February to 9th March, provides opportunities to make it part of our
journey towards Easter joy.
Resources available on the Fairtrade website Fairtrade Fortnight page and
on the St Albans Diocese website’s World
Development Page
Churches
Together in
Carbon
Fasting for Lent
The Church Times and Tearfund are making a series of
energy-saving ideas available as a daily e-mail or a one-off download from the Tearfund website.
One suggestion is to remove a lightbulb from a room
with two lights as a visual reminder of the need to cut carbon emissions.
Monday 24th March, Easter Monday, is
expected to see 1500 pilgrims take one more step then another and another as
they journey to St Albans Cathedral to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
Join pilgrims in the Abbey Orchard from 1pm. Bring a
picnic. Processions start moving into the Abbey at 2:30 pm, the informal
Eucharist begins at 3pm, led by Bishop Christopher for whom this will be his
last Easter Monday as Bishop of the Diocese. More about the pilgrimage on the
diocesan website.
Queen's new
Chaplain is from St Albans Diocese
Choral Evensong at the Cathedral
BBC Radio
3’s Choral Evensong for Ash Wednesday from St Albans Cathedral can be heard via
the BBC website here
until 12 February.
BBC to screen The Passion series
during Holy Week
A
dramatic retelling of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus will be shown
on BBC 1 at peak time starting on Palm Sunday and running through to Easter
Sunday.
Local Ministry Consultation Day
A look at
local ministry from biblical perspectives with the
Steven Croft: the
Archbishops’ Mission Adviser will speak on Fresh Expressions “Good News from
parishes across the country”.
Venues:
1.
Barton-le-Clay. Noon – 14.45pm
including Lunch
(Bookings
will be required for catering purposes.)
2. St.
Marks Colney Heath 7.30pm – 9.30pm
including Coffee and Biscuits
Contact:
BBC 1 Question Time
Is in
Bike ride
raised £100,000 in 2007
The Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust set a
target of £100,000 for its 2007 Sponsored Bike Ride last September. Now the
Trust is able to report that this target has been reached. The Bike Ride has
been held annually since 1991 and a total of over a £1,000,000 has been raised
through sponsorship since then. Half this money goes each year to the churches
and chapels that support the Bike Ride; the other half is used by the Trust to
provide grants towards the repair and maintenance of churches and chapels
across the two counties. This year's magnificent result, as in previous years,
owes everything to the support of the many riders, sponsors and organisers who
make it happen. Congratulations to all concerned.
Events of the month
St John
the Baptist, Chipping Barnet, Gentlemen & Boys Choir and special guests
perform J.S.Bach’s ‘
St
Michael’s Church, Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford is holding a Wedding Fayre, on Saturday 16th
February, 11am- 4pm. Experience the atmosphere, listen to Choir and Organ
recitals, enjoy lunch and the fashion show taking place at 1:30pm. All you need
for your wedding will be on display, resourced by local businesses. Proceeds to
be split between St Michael’s and Herts Air Ambulance.
An evening
of musical excellence and friendship with Face2Face - a unique blend of music
from classical, rock, jazz, pop, ballads, opera and Christian songs. All
welcome. One FREE place if you book a
table of 8 - 10 people - why not invite your friends, family or work
colleagues. Saturday 1st March 2008 – The Chapel, Porter's
Contact:
Christine on 01727 827092 or Ann on 01707 642193
All this month’s events can be
seen here
News from the Church of England
General Synod sits 11 February – 14 February
Major debates on detention without charge, mental health
issues and casinos will be on the agenda of the General Synod when it meets at
Church House,
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr0908.html
Church of England appoints Representative to the EU
Institutions
The Revd Dr Gary Wilton has been appointed to the newly
created post of Church of England’s Representative to the EU Institutions. The
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr0808.html