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Archdeacon Paul to retire at year end

Archdeacon of Bedford to retire at year end Farewell service: Saturday 12th January at St Paul’s Bedford at 4pm. All are welcome After a ministry spanning 36 years as curate, Vicar and Archdeacon, the Venerable Paul Hughes, Archdeacon of Bedford since 2003, has announced that he will retire on 31st December 2018. During his time as… Read more »

Licensed and ordained this summer

Licensed and ordained this summer Readers – 17 June 2018 Deacons – 1 July 2018 Priests – 30 June 2018

Card readers for parishes special offer ending

Card readers for parishes special offer ending Start taking card payments in your church. As fewer and fewer people carry cash, it’s becoming important for parishes to look at alternative ways to receive money. The company SumUp are kindly offering CofE organisations their Air Card Reader for just £19, and new joiners will get 0%… Read more »

Order of St Alban recognises years of service

Order of St Alban recognises years of service The Bishop of St Albans has recognised several decades of service given by four people, two from Bedfordshire, one from Luton and one from St Albans, with the award of ‘The Order of St Alban.’The four recipients, supported by friends and family and contingents from their churches… Read more »

Safe Car Wash App Launched

Safe Car Wash App Launched Drivers urged to join information-gathering effort against modern slavery in hand car washes For immediate release 4.6.18 – released by the Church of England Drivers are being encouraged to join an unprecedented national information-gathering campaign launched by the Church of England  and the Catholic Church in England and Wales  aimed at eradicating  modern slavery in hand car… Read more »

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals: £2 maximum stake is ‘right decision’, says bishop

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals: £2 maximum stake is ‘right decision’, says bishop ABOVE: The Bishop of St Albans speaking in response to the Government’s announcement on 17th May The Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, has welcomed Government plans to limit the maximum stake on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) to £2. Dr Alan Smith… Read more »

Archbishop’s Prayer for Syria

Archbishop’s Prayer for Syria The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued the following prayer for Syria: Lord of all power and might, wisdom and love, You gave your only Son to live with the suffering and poor, to die for our sins and rise from the dead so that we may live. In your hands justice… Read more »

Card Payments in Churches

Card Payments in Churches Parish Buying Scheme For more information on how to get a card reader see the Parish Buying article here. News from the Church of England The Church of England has announced that it is making contactless, virtual terminal, and SMS mobile payments available throughout England, in a bid to make transactions faster… Read more »

Bishop pays tribute to the Revd Billy Graham

Bishop pays tribute to the Revd Billy Graham Speaking following the news of the death of Billy Graham, The Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, said: “I join millions of others mourning the loss of Billy Graham and giving thanks for his life and ministry. He always demonstrated his passionate conviction that Christian faith… Read more »

Safeguarding Audit published

Safeguarding Audit published An independent audit of safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England Diocese of St Albans strikes a positive note about safeguarding in the Diocese. It has affirmed the commitment shown to safeguarding by the Bishop and his senior staff in the diocese. The independent review was carried out by the Social Care… Read more »