Latest News
Responding to Climate Emergency
9th October 2019
How can you make a difference to the environment? The Church of England’s lead Bishop for the Environment, Nicholas Holtam, writes: “There is a climate emergency and we are all called to exercise leadership in this area, prioritising the fifth mark of mission ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew… Read more »
St Albans’ Medieval heritage brought to life using 21st century technology
9th October 2019
This autumn, visitors to St Albans Cathedral have the chance to be amongst the first to see the Nave of the Cathedral as never before as breath-taking light projections lift the veil of time and reveal how the south facing wall paintings in the Nave may have looked in all their medieval glory. Dating from… Read more »
Defenders of the faith: keeping watch at Ayot St Lawrence
8th October 2019
Ann Wight from Ayot St Lawrence writes about her experience sleeping overnight in the Palladian Church to deter lead thieves, along with members of her book club. When lead was stolen from part of the roof of the Palladian Church in Ayot St Lawrence, there was concern the thieves would return for more during the… Read more »
Prepare for Inter Faith Week 2019
7th October 2019
Did you know that among the aims of Inter Faith Week is increasing understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs? This year Inter Faith Week will take place from Sunday 10th – Sunday 17th November. The three aims of the week are: Strengthening good inter faith relations at all levels Increasing awareness of the… Read more »
Follow the Star 2019: big discounts on bulk orders during October
7th October 2019
By popular demand, Follow the Star returns for 2019 with 12 brand-new reflections for the Christmas period. Follow the Star invites you to experience the wonder and excitement of the Wise Men’s journey as they travel towards Jesus over the twelve days of Christmas, starting on Christmas Day. The Follow the Star materials are ideal… Read more »
From Berkhamsted to Barcelona: St Peter’s Choir Tour 2019
7th October 2019
Robin McMorran, a member of the choir at St Peter’s Church Great Berkhamsted writes about their recent tour to Barcelona For a short time in early summer this year the choir of St Peter’s Church Great Berkhamsted went on tour to export English choral music to the Catalans. The tour was organised by former head chorister… Read more »
A gift of fundraising help for parishes
1st October 2019
Ecclesiastical Insurance is providing free practical fundraising support and guidance for churches in the Diocese of St Albans. They are trialling two options: fundraising seminars and a funding insights website. During the trial, they are aiming to understand what works best for your Church, so that they can look to target their support where it… Read more »
Walk on the moon at St Albans Cathedral: where will your ‘one small step’ take you?
30th September 2019
“Cathedrals specialise in awe and transcendence,” says the Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, and the Space Voyage installation coming to the cathedral this autumn could take that to a whole new level. He continues: “They were built to remind us that we are small and finite in the universe, yet surrounded by the… Read more »
A Slow and Green Christmas won’t cost the Earth
26th September 2019
This article first appeared in issue 1 of Alban Life (December 2018) – a quarterly printed magazine which is distributed to all parishes in the diocese. Click here to read more articles from the ‘Alban Bites’ blog. Predictions point to the biggest consumer Christmas yet, and thoughtful people are beginning to question the spending, overproduction… Read more »
St Paul’s Church, Bedford is awarded ‘Major Parish Church’ status
18th September 2019
St Paul’s church in the centre of Bedford is celebrating its award as a Major Parish Church and being granted membership of the Major Churches Network, in recognition of its importance to the town. The Major Churches Network is a body set up by the Church of England which comprises 350 of the largest and… Read more »