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RECENT EVENTS
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Agape Supper!!
All Saints' had their annual Agape Supper on 14th March (say 'Agg-er-pay'). The hall was softly lit and tables set out elegantly with candles and a starter in place as over 50 people arrived for this meal.
The supper is in fact a communion service, but the service is taken leisurely with the three course meal divided by prayers, readings and songs. Glorious food was served with second helpings for those who had the capacity. The communion itself, taken by Elizabeth, comes at the end where each person passes the bread and wine to the person next to them around the table. A short but powerful video was then shown about God, in his love for us, lifting us up when we are down.
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All Saints’ Have Gone Away!!
… and they’ve come back again. About 60 of the congregation went away 8th-10th February for a weekend at High Leigh, a Christian conference centre in Hoddesdon. We also had a few day visitors for those who couldn’t stay over.
Our speaker was Rev. Andrew McCausland (see photo), a Baptist minister from Minehead (Somerset). He is an experienced leader of this type of event and he led us passionately through the subject of being God’s channel for his Spirit and for living Christ’s risen life. He used the three central prayers from the familiar post communion prayer to help us focus:
May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
As well as five enjoyable and challenging sessions from Andrew we had services of praise led by Philip Le Riche on Friday evening and Saturday morning, and a Communion Service with Elizabeth and Andrew on Sunday morning. Saturday afternoon was free and most took advantage of the warm sunshine to get mud on their shoes from the surrounding gardens, fields and the local wildlife sanctuary, and Saturday evening was for entertainment. All Saints’ has good talent and music and humour abounded in the various sketches, dramas and concert pieces put on - we even had some country dancing.
During the sessions children were looked after by ‘The Crown Jewels’ a Christian group from London who specialise in teaching music and drama and entertaining children of all ages, and they practised a drama to music which the children then performed in the Communion service.
High Leigh fed and watered us well and the rooms were comfortable. We came away full and refreshed physically and spiritually. If you want to know more then please talk to Elizabeth Inall.
(CDs of Andrew's talks available - please ask Brian Inall - 713007)
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On Wednesday 6th February over a dozen children representing the four Sunday Groups at All Saints' went to the Bishop of St Albans' house. They were led by Mike Lawford. They told him all about their fundraising project for the Bishop's Harvest Appeal. Money goes to Procares to provide new crops to improve the diet of families in El Salvador. They specifically focused on the cost of orange tree saplings at £2.50 each and raised a staggering £515.12 (which is 206 saplings) by making and selling muffins, biscuits and cakes and by running games for the congregation. Well done!
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The annual CTH Inter-church quiz took place on 19th January. 34 teams took part in this fiercely competitive event and this parish, represented by the All Sorts team from All Saints' Church, came second to St John's Church (again!) - so we look forward to lifting the shield next year!
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As many of you will know, the safe at All Saints' was stolen complete with contents in the New Year. The damaged safe with some contents has been recovered, and here the nice fireman and firewoman at St Albans were helping us make the thieves' hole in the back bigger so we could recover the larger register books still locked inside. (The safe door was not useable.) In some ways the registers were more valuable to us than the lost items as the registers, one in particular, cannot be replaced and contain a history of events at the church since it was opened. We wish our wardens well in sorting out the insurance claim!
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The Christmas Tree Festival in December 2007 was a great success. Click on this link to go to the official Christmas Tree Festival website for photos and more information.
www.christmastreefestival.co.uk
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8th September 2007 - What a busy day! Alongside the opening of the Credit Union and St Mary's fete was the Historic Churches sponsored bike ride (or walk). Some joyful All Sainter's had their picture taken at some of the churches they visited. Click on the picture for more.
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8th September 2007 - St Mary's Fête:
St Mary's Fête? Yes, this Lancaster Bomber flew over St Mary's especially for them - 3 times!
Click on the photo for more pics.
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The new Harpenden Credit Union was officially opened on 8th September 2007 at the Methodist Halls in Southdown. L - R: Harpenden Town Mayor Cllr Bert Pawle, Gillian Robertson (receiving membership), Anthony Baker, Rt Hon Peter Lilley MP.
It's a branch of the St Albans Credit Union and will open twice a week in Southdown (over Somerfield) to serve investors and borrowers. Unlike normal banks the Credit Union is non-profit making and run by volunteers. Unlike doorstep lenders the interest rates are not inflated and the CU is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The Churches in Harpenden (CTH) support this worthwhile and needed project.
For more information about the Credit Union go to the Links page and click the link to their website.
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The St Mary's Open Garden Weekend event (14th & 15th July 2007) was thoroughly enjoyable and thanks are due to all those who contributed to its success. A magnificent £4600 was raised for the St Mary's Extension Fund. Sorry, I have no photos to show you at present!
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What is this ALL about? Click on the picture for more info.
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If you have been involved in a recent parish event that will interest or amuse our web visitors then please write a quick report and sent it with a digital photo to the webmaster.
Email the Webmaster (see Contacts page). Brian Inall.
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