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Issued by Anna McCrum, Diocesan Communications Officer.
A major Vision for Action event will take place in St Albans Cathedral on 24 February 2007. The event is in the early planning stages at present but make a note of the date now and more information will follow shortly.
Many groups and individuals across the Diocese have been supported by this fund which aims to support initiatives that promote education, spirituality, witness and service. Projects that are currently under consideration in parishes may benefit from an application to the Fund. For more information: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/finance/verulamfund.html or contact Nigel Benger on 01727 854532.
Please do keep looking at the Vision for Action pages of the website for news and resources. This e-mail is also uploaded each month here: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/visionforaction/linkgroup.htm I would be very grateful if you could also send stories through to me to add to the site and for use in other communications.
Last year, together as parishes and schools we raised over £50,000 for our harvest appeal for Bangladesh.
For this year's Bishop's Harvest Appeal, the Diocese is going to be supporting TEDDO, part of the Anglican Church in Uganda and a Christian Aid partner. "TEDDO is making a huge impact on individuals' lives in a troubled part of Uganda," explained Jonathan Ellis, the voluntary world development adviser for the Diocese. TEDDO supports refugees from the north of the country, who are unable to return home, by giving them tools and seeds so that they feed themselves and make a living.
This year as part of our 'Seeds of Peace' appeal there is an expanded array of resources, which are being sent both to our parishes and schools. For more information contact Jonathan by e-mail jonathan.ellis@stalbans.anglican.org.
As in previous years there is a panel of speakers to help with this appeal. If you are interested in booking a speaker, please contact Valerie Geldard by e-mail vgeldard@stalbans.anglican.org or by 'phone 01727 851 748.
Jonathan Ellis, the voluntary World Development Officer, will be at St Anne's, Luton on 18th June, and will also be continuing to support parishes joining the Diocesan Fairtrade initiative. Over 130 parishes are now registered with the Diocese as being Fairtrade. Check whether your parish is on the list and if not why not?
Don't forget that there will be a free day conference on July 13 at St Albans Cathedral on sustainability. More information: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/2006/environmentconference.htm
The Diocesan Board for Church and Society is looking for people to join the Diocesan Environment Group. If you are interested in being part of this and can offer some expertise contact the environment team: environment@stalbans.anglican.org
Over £40, 000 was raised in 2005. Time to book the date in your diary for this year - 1 December. Charities that will benefit this year are: Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter, Noth Herts Sanctuary, Open Door St Albans, Stevenage Haven. More details to follow.
The Diocesan Ministry Development website has a listing of forthcoming training events: http://stalbansmindev.org.uk/trainings.php
There is one training event left on Monday 19th June at St Mary the Virgin, Goldington (Bedford Archdeaconry) starting at 7:30 p.m.
The workshop will be led by the Archdeacon, the Chairman of the DAC (Dr Christopher Green), the DAC's Heating Adviser (Mr Brough Skingley) and the DAC Secretary (Mr Jim May). Please contact Debbie Cochrane ( dcochrane@stalbans.anglican.org) to reserve a place.
Geoff Fletcher, the Diocesan Stewardship Officer, will be at: Radlett Finance Group on 20 June, Cheshunt Deanery Treasurers meeting on 27 June, St Thomas of Canterbury PCC on 28 June, Essendon Joint PCCs on 29 June.
Contact Geoff if your parish needs help with stewardship: gfletcher@stalbans.anglican.org or 01727 818141.
What are we grasping? All that there is to Grasp in our relationship with God...Hope, love, vision, opportunity, the Gospel, the mission. This is a call for young people to make a difference in their community, but the starting point is our relationship with God which empowers us. Dates: 30 September at St Luke's, Watford; 14 October at Christ Church, Bedford; 18 November at St Mary's, Luton, 25 February at St Peter's, Stevenage. To find out more or book a place contact the Diocesan Youth Service - Julie Reeves on 01727 818160 or admin@voicemail.co.uk
Diane Wearne, Diocesan Child Protection Officer and Ann Murkin (who sits on the Child Protection management committee) will be offering child protection training on Saturday 30th September 9.00am for 9.30 start finishing at 1.00. The venue is the Holy Cross Church, Marsh Farm, Luton. There will be a £5.00 charge for each delegate attending. Anyone interested in attending should contact Diane on 01462 421622 - e.mail childprotection@stalbans.anglican.org or Ann Murkin on 01582 752296 e.mail annmurkin@yahoo.co.uk
Join the Youth Service and Bishop Chris Foster for a weekend of fun and fellowship with other young people from around the Diocese: 7 - 9 July for 14 - 18 year olds. More information: admin@voicemail.org.uk or tel. 01727 818160.
An evening workshop to explore the issues around planning worship and learning sessions with children and young people. Tuesday 20 th June 2006 7.30 - 9.30pm St Francis Church Hall, Welwyn Garden City , Cost - £5.00 per person . To book a place on this workshop contact Eileen Shaw - 01727 818178.