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Issued by Anna McCrum, Diocesan Communications Officer.
This is a really important event, the success of which will depend on all of us working together so if you action only one thing this month please let it be this! You should all have the date in your diary and I know that Carol has sent you the minutes of the latest meeting of the panning group which is being Chaired by the Revd Charles Royden, Vicar of St Mark, Bedford (www.thisischurch.com)
The idea is that we have an 'awards ceremony' which involves music, drama, dance, examples of good practice etc There will be a comprehensive programme with details of lots of V4A projects and afterwards a chance to network and have a drink. At the moment what we really need is for people to nominate projects (even if they are projects from your own church). Nomination forms are available here: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/visionforaction/februarycelebration.htm and have already been sent out in the Bundle. We need to get these in asap so please can each of you try and get in at least 5 by the end of October. Send them to Carol: cchisnall@stalbans.anglican.org or Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4HQ.
Also, if you know of any churches doing great music, drama or dance or art then please can you let me know asap and we will invite them to come along to the Cathedral to perform!
The Revd Canon John Kiddle, with others, will be making a presentation to the Diocesan Synod in October about the work of the Link Group.
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.
Over £44, 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, North Herts Sanctuary, Hitchin, Open Door St Albans, Stevenage Haven. Registration and sponsorship forms can be downloaded here: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/2006/sleepout06.htm. You can even donate instead of sleep out. The St Albans Sleep out has now spawned two new Sleep outs - one in Bedford and one in Winchester!
The Community Care Group has published the first of a series of leaflets on mental health issues. Copies will be sent out in the October Bundle to clergy and are also available for download from the Diocesan website: www.stalbans.anglican.org.
This conference, organised by a group of priests from the Diocese, will tackle two big issues: Why mission really matters and how the the whole of church life can serve the priority of evangelism. Booking forms are being sent out in the September Bundle. Contact the Revd David Heath-Whyte for more information: 01727 872172 or david@hotfrog.info
There are many reasons why children and young people need foster care. There may be a crisis in the family, ill health, relationship difficulties or bereavement. Some children need to be looked after because they have experienced abuse or neglect.
The Diocese has put together a group of foster carers who are willing to give talks to share their inspirational stories and explain what it's like to be a foster carer. They can also offer support to families considering fostering or adoption. If you would like a foster carer to come and give a talk in your church contact Kemi Akinruli: 01727 851748 or kakinruli@stalbans.anglican.org.
In 2005 people around the world were united in their call to make poverty history by one symbol - the white band. This autumn the Global Month of Action will see millions of people unite again as they stand up against poverty, demand more action and renew the call for trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.
The theme for the Month is "Stand Up Against Poverty". The Month has been called by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, a worldwide alliance of campaigning coalitions, faith groups, trade unions, community groups and individuals working to tackle poverty and inequality in their countries and around the world.
More information including a special section for churches is available from: http://www.bond.org.uk/campaign/toolkit/
The Diocesan Ministry Development website has a listing of forthcoming training events: http://stalbansmindev.org.uk/trainings.php
The Growing Together in Christ Course is being held this autumn in Sandy (for the Biggleswade Deanery), Woburn (for the Ampthill Deanery) and Kings Langley. Contact details for these courses are:
At Sandy - Derwyn Williams rector@sandyparishchurch.org.uk (01767 680512)
At Woburn - Pat Weaver patweaver@btinternet.com (01525 861447)
At Kings Langley - Michael Young - nosy.gum@btopenworld.com (01 923 263649)
There will be a Local Ministry Consultation Day on 3 March 2007 for all Local Ministry Teams in the Buntingford Deanery plus others who are exploring new patterns of ministry. For more details contact the Revd Canon Robin Brown. Local Ministry Officer on 01727 818152 or lmo@stalbans.anglican.org
Twelve finalists have been chosen in Ecclesiastical Insurance's competition to recognise those churches that have been most successful in adapting to a modern society and changing local communities. This includes t wo of our churches - St Barnabas, Adeyfield (I can feel you blush now Dave!) and St Margaret, Streatley. Both churches have worked hard to make their buildings amenable for a wide variety of uses. Why not contact them to find out more about these churches: http://www.stb-hemel.info/ or http://www.stmargaret-streatley.org.uk/
Geoff Fletcher, Stewardship Officer, will be making the following visits in September and October.
17 Sept - Preaching at Church of the Transfiguration, Kempston; 19 Sept - St Oswald's Croxley Green - PCC visit; 24 Sept - Preaching / presentation at St Thomas' Wilbury; 26 Sept - Barnet Deanery Treasurers - presentation and discussion; 28 Sept - St Margaret's Barley - Stewardship Committee meeting; 3 Oct - Stewardship - CME training day; 11 Oct - Barnet Deanery Synod Presentation; 19 Oct - St Mary's Barkway - Stewardship Committee meeting; 21 Oct - Hitchin Deanery Churchwardens' Forum; 23 Oct - St Peter and St Paul's Cranfield PCC; 1 Nov - St John the Baptist 7 November Great Gaddesden PCC; 7 Nov - Meppershall and Shefford Joint PCC; 14 Nov - Rye Park PCC; 19 Nov - Preaching at New Barnet (Gift Day); 27 Nov - St Paul's Luton PCC
In addition to these dates Geoff is planning with the Archdeacons to deliver 3 presentations - one in each archdeaconry - on a stewardship topic. The focus will be 'Giving in Grace' and the website prepared by the Diocese of Liverpool will be used as a means of supporting parishes in the planning and delivery of a stewardship programme.
Geoff is happy to attend PCCs / stewardship committees. His contact details are: gfletcher@stalbans.anglican.org or 01727 818141
The Revd Ruth Pyke begins work in October as Children's Adviser for Bedfordshire (a post she will combine with being Vicar of Caddington). Contact details for Ruth will follow soon.
Susannah Ainsworth will be running a workshop on 30 September at Marshalswick, St Albans called Candles in the Dark for people working with 7 - 11 year olds in church. More details from Eileen Shaw 01727 818178 or eshaw@stalbans.anglican.org
At Pin Green, Stevenage on 13 November there will be a workshop on creative use of music in church for people working with children in church. It will be led by John Hardwick. More details from Eileen Shaw 01727 818178 or eshaw@stalbans.anglican.org
The Revd Vanessa Cato, Children's Adviser for Herts, will be leading an Open Morning on Godly Play in November. More details from Eileen Shaw 01727 818178 or eshaw@stalbans.anglican.org
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
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
On 28 November at Barton Le Clay Church Hall Tim Sudworth (Diocesan Youth Officer for Guildford Diocese) will look at the challenges ahead for youth ministry and suggest strategies for engaging with young people. More details from Laura Hart: lhart@stalbans.anglican.org or 01727 818151
Anna McCrum
Communications Officer
Diocese of St. Albans,
41 Holywell Hill,
St. Albans, Herts, AL1 5HE
Tel: 01727 818110; Fax 01727 844469
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org