News
Christian Aid 15 – 21 May 2022
This year Christian Aid week will focus on the plight of drought which numerous countries around the world face.
The combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts and droughts have robbed families of homes, livelihoods and food. Giving to Christian Week this year will help set up water taps, teaching people to grow food and providing seeds that thrive in drought.
Local Christian Aid Events:
15 May - Christian Aid United Service at Hatfield Road Methodist Church at 7.00 pm, preacher is Valerie Chapman.
Coffee will be served before the service at 6.30 pm.
21 May - Christian Aid Fair at St Mary’s Church, Marshalswick from 10am – 1.30 pm
Refreshments and lunches
Market Stalls - Plants, Books and Cakes,
Face painting, children’s sweet tombola, raffle and music supplied by St Mary’s Band
Mad Hatters
Tea Party Sunday 22nd May From
3pm
Jane Tocher
and Janet Waterworth
are planning a garden tea party for Sunday 22nd May at 1-3
Summerland’s Rd St Albans to raise funds for Ukraine.
In addition to catering there will also be a craft stall so if anyone has any crafts to contribute this will add to the fundraising.
It would be helpful for catering if you could let Jane know if you are planning to attend. Mad hats are not essential!
St Albans Sustainability Festival 15th May - 31st May 2022
The St Alban’s Sustainability Festival takes place again
this year from 15th to 31st May and MBFC will be hosting
three events in support of one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in
the UK:
Sunday May 22nd – 3pm to 5pm – Age UK Fashion Show and Sale
Come and see our models strut their stuff on the catwalk and raise money for the essential services provided by Age UK, by checking out some of the amazing bargains that can be had by reusing and recycling clothes. The event is free to attend but needs to be booked in advance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/age-uk-fashion-show-and-sale-tickets-295829783847?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1 or speak to Peter. Suitable for all ages.
Tuesday May 24th – 2pm to 3pm - How We Built an Eco Garden for Next to Nothing (and How You Can Too!)
A talk and presentation by Heidi Carruthers (Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust) and Peter Kelleher (MBFC) about how a small patch of land was turned into an eco-garden to support wildlife at minimal cost and the benefits that this can bring to the local eco-system. The event is also free to attend but needs to be booked in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-we-built-an-eco-garden-for-next-to-nothing-and-how-you-can-too-tickets-296918008757 or speak to Peter. Suitable for all ages.
Saturday 28th May – 2pm to 5pm - St Alban's Fixers - Repair Fair
Don't throw it away; maybe it can be fixed! Book a slot at our Repair Fair, offering electrical, electronic, clothing & fabric repairs & even bikes; we are fixing things for free! 30 minute slots are available. Repairs are free but must be booked via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-albans-fixers-repair-fair-tickets-295786805297?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1 which will go live 2 weeks prior to the event. Suitable for teenagers upwards.
For a full
list of Sustainability Festival events taking place across the district, please
see: https://sustainablestalbans.org/sustfest22events/
Please note that the Artisan's Fayre scheduled for 23rd April has been postponed.
2022 CTM Lent Series, Sunday Evenings at 7pm held at MBFC
6th March - Hope through Change. Preacher Rev Iain Lane, Worship led by MBFC.
13th March - Hope through Discipline. Preacher Fr Corniel Quak, Assistant Curate, St Saviour's. Worship led by St Leonards.
20th March - Hope through Tears. Preacher Rev G D Watt, Moderator Thames North Synod of the URC. Worship led by Homewood Road URC
27th March - Hope Through Vision. Preacher Fr. Richard Watson, St Saviour's Church and Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, St Albans, Masorti Synagogue. Worship led by St Mary's Church.
3rd April - Hope through Christ. Preacher Fr Michael O’Boy, SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church, Worship led by St John Fisher Mass Centre
Charity Car Wash,
Coffee Morning
and Sale
Happened on Saturday 13 November 2021 10 am – 2 pm
At Marshalswick
Baptist Free Church
and raised a fantastic £863 for
Children in Need Appeal 2021
Our Minister Retires!
After 18 wonderful years, Saturday 31st October saw the last service by our minister, the Reverend Graham Clarke. Graham, and his wife Julia, were presented with albums containing a variety of photos from their time at the church and messages from a great many members of the congregation, old and new.
Graham and Julia will be sorely missed and we wish them every happiness as they move to pastures new.
Eco Garden Launched
Delighted to launch our eco-garden this week, in partnership with Wilder St Albans.
Full details can be found here: https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/new-eco-garden-at-marshalswick-baptist-church-8341942
Some more of our wonderful window displays....
'A New Beginning'
celebrating the start of the new academic year
Tools With a Mission
Summer Holidays
he first session of Kanga and Roo Toddler Group since lockdown was held socially distanced in the Church Garden on a wet and windy afternoon on 21st June!
Seven families joined in, some were returners and some were new to us and the area. The children didn’t mind the wet and the parents were pleased to see their children play and to catch up with one another.
Our Toddler group meets on Mondays at 1.30pm in the Church Garden - more info here . Please tell any families that you know about it!
Offers of help to set up or to chat are welcome. See Jo Gill for details or call Graham on 01727 857786.
A selection of our window displays over recent months:
Our Christmas nativity scene
Love is from God
Springtime Flowers
‘See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,’ Song of Songs 2:1
Palm Sunday
Springtime
Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; It is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1
Easter Eggs celebrating new life!
Easter Flowers
Celebrating Pentecost
In support of St Albans Sustainability Festival
The 23rd Psalm - painted by Margaret Payne
Have a Heart this Valentine’s Day!
As previously reported in the Herts Advertiser, Jersey Farm’s Ken Salmon embarked on his marathon walk around Harvest Court, completing it in September 2020.
Picture: Ken, surrounded by well-wishers, completing his epic journey.
He was raising funds to support Project 50, a plan to provide enhanced disabled access, along with a kitchen and accessible toilet, at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church, St Albans which will enable better facilities to be provided from their 50-year-old premises.
The work is
now finished and has attracted great interest from the local community who can
now see inside the church while passing, for the first time. The enhanced
entrance area provides a more welcoming frontage, improved facilities, and
ready access for the less able.
Picture:
Ken’s daughter Jackie and her husband and project manager Mark celebrating the
completion of the new build.
The entrance
area will also be used to provide hope to passers-by in troubled times and
currently houses a beautiful display entitled ‘Love is from God’, produced by
church member Jo Gill.
The theme of love is a critical component of the Christian faith and the display emphasises how love comes down from God through the healing, teaching and lived example of his son Jesus Christ, who gave his life- in love - for all humanity. The church is ‘wearing its heart on its sleeve’ ahead of the key preparation period of Lent, which starts next week.
Picture: ‘Love is from God’ on
display at Marshalswick Baptist Free Church.
Minister Reverend Graham Clarke said “We are very grateful to all those who have supported this cause to improve our building for the benefit of the local community. Although Sunday worship and a number of our regular events remain suspended at the moment, we broadcast our Sunday service on YouTube, and upload podcasts to our website at www.mbfc.org.uk“.
He continued, “In addition, the church is open for private prayer on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12 noon for those seeking some quiet time to reflect on recent events, and we are still accepting donations for the St Albans food bank, next door, at 4 Sherwood Avenue”.
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