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News From Hatfield Road Methodist Church
Community Film Show - Saturday 17th March 2018
Unfortunately the terms of our licence do not allow us to advertise the names of the films. However, we will be showing two films.
The first A 'U' rated Family Film
3:00pm (Doors open 2:30pm)
All Ages Welcome
No charge
Popcorn and Drinks
and
The second a 'PG' rated Film for the Grown Ups
7:00pm (Doors open 6:30pm)
Again there is no charge
Church Council Papers - 12th February 2018
The papers for the Church Council to be held on 12th February have been added to the site. You can find then in the resources Tab in the Church Council area.
AlternativelyCick Here to access them directly.
CIRCUIT DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING - 14th February
As part of the vision process for the future of the St Albans and Welwyn Circuit we are holding a day of prayer and fasting across the Circuit churches on Ash Wednesday 14th February.
The day has been divided into hour long slots and these are being covered by churches around the Circuit.
Hatfield Road will be covering the 3.00 - 4.00am, 7.00 - 8.00am, 2.00 - 4pm including the Circuit Ash Wednesday service and 8.00 - 10.00pm.
There will be someone present in the church at all of these times to lead the prayers if required.
Please do join in at any stage of the day either by joining us at church or in the quiet of your own prayer time at home.
PANCAKE PARTY - 10th February, 5.00 - 7.00 pm
Come and celebrate Shrove Tuesday early with us at a Pancake Party at Hatfield Road Methodist Church.
On Saturday 10th February 2018 from 5pm to 7pm.
All ages are welcome (children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult).
Donations welcome.
BEETLE DRIVE - 13th January, 6.00 - 8.00pm
You are all invited to come and join us at our Beetle Drive next Saturday, 13th January, 6.00pm-8.00pm.
A simple to play game which is great fun for all of the family.
We will do our best to dispel the winter weather, enjoy some fun together and time to chat over refreshments.
If you are able please bring a plate of finger food to share.
Church Council Papers - 17th October 2017
The papers for the Church Council to be held on 17th October have been added to the site. You can find then in the resources Tab in the Church Council area.
AlternativelyCick Here to access them directly.
Harvest Festival
Thinking Lunches at Marlborough Road Methodist Church
Our good friends at Marlborough Road Methodist Church are running a series of "Thinking Lunches" with some excellent speakers. These are on the first Thusday of the month from 12:30 - 1:30 pm.
The format of these meetings is a short 30 minute talk followed by the opportunity for discussion on the topic of the day.
Drinks are provided but please bring your own lunch.
Can I encourage you to attend these if at all possible.
The upcoming schedule is:
Thursday 5th October 2017 - Simon Grover: Local Green Councillor for St Peter's Ward.
Topic: How St Albans can save the planet.
Thursday 2nd November 2017 - The Reverand Dr Leslie Griffiths, Lord Griffiths of Bury Port.
Topic: Should the House of Lords be abolished?.
Thursday 7th December 2017 - Penny Williams from Amnesty International.
Topic: Human Rights for All? Is this possible?
Welcome Service
On Sunday 3rd September at 3.30pm there is a Welcome Service at Oxlease Methodist Church, Woods Avenue, Hatfield AL10 8NA for Linda Kinchenton as Deacon in our Circuit.
We also welcome Rev David Mullins as a Supernumerary Presbyter to our Circuit.
Refreshments will be served. All are most welcome to attend - if you plan to be there please email Circuit Admin - Ann Huntingford at admin@midhertsmethodists.org.uk - by 14th August.
Church Council - 14th June 2017
The unratified minutes of the Church Council meeting, held on 14th of June 2017, have been added to the site in the Resources Section.
You can access them by clicking here...
Circuit Worship Academy
Theology and Film - How Arnold Schwarzenegger could improve your preaching.
Led by Rev Simon Carver of Dagnell Street Baptist Church.
Talk at 8pm on Wednesday 5th July at our church.
Everyone welcome, not just preachers and worship leaders. Do join us, if you are able, for what promises to be a fascinating and enjoyable evening.
Pentecost
Growmore Walk
Saturday 27th May - Redbourn and Redbournbury
A ramble in the Ver Valley past the watercress beds and Redbournbury Mill, taking in views of the Ver Valley.
The distance is 5 miles and it will take about 2 1/2 hours. After all of the recent rain it may be muddy, so please wear appropriate footwear!
Meet at the car park by the Cricket Clubhouse on Redbourn Common at 9:45 for a 10:00 start. If the car park is full, there is ample roadside parking. Contact Denise for more information or for lifts.
Film Day
Next Saturday (13th May) we will have another of our film days. We will be showing two films one suitable for children an animated film certified (PG) at 3:00pm and one suitable for adults starting at 7:00pm Certified (12A)
The terms of our licence prevent us from publishing the names of the films but they are both excellent films.
If you would like to join us we would be delighted to see you at either or both film showings.
Growmore Walk
Saturday 25th February - The Lea Valley. Meet in the public carpark in East Lane, Wheathampstead Al4 8BP, behind The Bull car park.
Please meet around 9:45am for a prompt start at 10:00am. The walk is approximately 5 miles and should take about 2 1/2 hours.
As always at this time of year, there will be mud, so walking boots are advisable. Various lunch options are available in the village.
Please contact Denise W for further details or help with lifts.
Marriage Course
We are pleased to be once again running the Marriage Course.
This is a seven session course running on Monday evening from the 9th January to the 7th of March (excluding the 13th Feb)
The course is suitable for anyone who is married or cohabiting and is equally useful to those whose relationship is strong or struggling.
A number of our congregation and other couples have attended the course and found it immensely helpful.
The course consists of practical talks using video and times of discussion, with your partner, following a series of themes.
There is no group work involved.
Please speak to Peter or Ruth Wallace if you would like further details.
You can see a preview and read further details by clicking here...
Our Activities over Christmas.
11th December - 10:30am Nativity Service led by our young people
18th December - 10.30am Communion Service
6. 00pm Carol Service - Led by Rev Andrew Prout
23rd December - 4.00pm Christingle Tea Party
5.15pm Christingle Worship
24th December - Christmas Eve 11.15 pm Midnight Communion Service
Christmas Day 10.30am All Age Worship - Led by Chris Hancock
1st January - 9.00am COVENANT SERVICE (joint with Marlborough Road)
10.30am - All Age Worship (joint with Marlborough Road)
Church Council Papers and Minutes
The minutes and related papers from the Church Council held on Tuesday 11th October 2016 have been added to the site.
You can access them by clicking here...
09:00 am Service 2nd October
Our 9:00am Communion service is led this week by Rev Dr Val Ogden.
Val is a mission partner serving in Fiji who is on a leave break in the UK for two months.
After our early morning service, she is leading morning worship (Harvest) at Marlborough Road. After which she wll be talking about her life and wok in Fiji before sharing lunch.
If anyone would like to join Marlborough Road, after our own worship, to hear Val speak, please contact Rosemary who I am sure will be able to confirm if this is possible.
Lack of Updates
I must apologise for the recent lack of updates. My old laptop expired on me and it has taken a while to get everything re-installed on a new one.
Normal service should hopefully now be resumed.
If anyone has anything they would like to contribute to the website please do speak to me.
Chris
Church Council - 13th June 2016
The "unapproved" Minutes from the Church Council meeting, held on 13th of June, have been added to the site in the Resources Section.
You can access them by clicking here...
One Sound - Next Weekend 23rd and 24th July
A reminder that the One Sound group of musicians and Singers will be visting us next weekend.
They are staying at the church for the weekend and there will be a concert on Saturday Night at St Paul's Church which is just 50 meters from our church.
On Sunday morning they will be assisting with worship at Marlborough Road Methodist Church at 10:30.
Please do make every effort to support these talented young musicians as they express their faith through music and songs.
They are giving freely of their time for us so let us encourage their expression by filling both venues to worship God with them.
Tickets will be available on the door on Saturday night.
Friends of Nixon Memorial Hospital - Appeal for funds for an Oxygen Concentrator
As many of you know we have supported the work of the Methodist Hospital in Sierra Leone over many years.
The Friends of Nixon Memorial Hospital are currently fund raising for an Oxygen Concentrator for the Children's ward at the hospital. This will replace the broken one shown in the ward photograph.
I fully realise there are many calls on our generous giving but if you feel able to support this particular project please click on this link to donate using the MyGiving portal.
To show the value of this life saving piece of machinery here are a few details as to why this specific fund raising has been started.
Dr Tom Kenny, who is currently volunteering at the Nixon Hospital, has identified the potential life saving benefit of being able to provide oxygen to the most unwell children who arrive at the hospital.
Sierra Leone has the second highest child mortality rate in the world. Over 17% will die before they reach the age of five.
Following the completion of a solar project at the hospital, (funded by the UN) which provides (almost) 24 hour electricity this life saving provision of an oxygen supply, can now be achieved through the use of an oxygen concentrator machine.
This simple provision of oxygen can significantly improve the survival of the most unwell children who are suffering from breathing difficulties as a result of chest infections and malaria.
The machine will also enable a valuable improvement in the clinical training of nursing students by teaching them when and how to use oxygen.
For further information on Tom's on going work at the hospital please see his blog at https://tominsierraleone.wordpress.com
Church Council - 13th June 2016
The papers for the Church Council meeting, which is scheduled for 13th of June, have been added to the site in the Resources Section.
You can access them by clicking here...
The minutes from the recent Annual Church Meeting have also been added in the same section.
Some dates for your diary
We have a few special activities coming up in the next couple of months so please block the dates in your diaries and contact the organiser to book your place if you would like to attend any of them.
On Saturday the 11th June there is a Circuit Study Day on The Spiritual Needs of the Elderly and those with Dementia. This will be led by Rev. Dr. Albert Jewell.
Please contact the Circuit Administrator to book a place. admin(at)midhertsmethodists.org.uk (inorder to reduce spam replace the (at) with the @symbol).
For more details please click here....
On Saturday 25th June there will be the Churches Together in St Albans - Community Sports Day which is held at Westminster Lodge sports track in Verulamium Park. It normally lasts from 10:30 until approximately 16:30.
If you would like to sign up to take part please see Eric in the Large Hall on Sunday as this is the last opportunity to register.
If you do not want to take part please do come and support those who are. It is a very friendly and encouraging event.
For more details please click here....
On Saturday 24th July there will be a concert hosted at St Paul's by One Sound (Formerly the Methosdist Youth Orchestra and Singers). This will be at 7:30 pm on that day.
We have taken a leap of faith in booking One Sound and would like to fill St Paul's to overflowing so please book your tickets early.
For tickets please contact the Circuit Administrator.
For more details please click here....
Connexions Magazine.
The new copy of The Methodist Church - Connexion Magazine is now available in the Foyer.
This is issue five of the magazine and contains some excellent articles.
Please do pick up a copy and pass it on after you have read it.
A number of us receive our own copies so do not feel you are preventing anyone else reading them!
If you prefer an electronic copy you can download a pdf version from the Methodist Church Website here..
There are a number of other free magazines on the Foyer tables so please do feel free to take these if you would like to.
Some Poster Designs.
My laptop is "on its way out" so I am clearing up the harddrive before it dies completely.
Whilst doing so - I found these poster designs, based on our church logo, which I created around the time of our Fruitful Congregations studies. The fourth is one I designed for our recent Lenten meditations but did not use.
Rather than let them disappear I add them here!
Labyrinth Journeys - Part Four and Bonus Clay Labyrinth
We complete our Labyrinth Journeys with the fourth session which uses a labyrinth contained within a cross.
We use this labyrinth to reflect on the work God has called us to.
For the materials, please click here to access them.
I have also added a page on a clay labyrinth which I produced at a Journey Light a little while ago.
For the clay labyrinth materials, please click here to access them.
Our Pentecost themed Foyer Board
Many thanks to Angela for our very colourful Foyer board.
It contains the saying "God is here" in different languages, many of which are spoken by members of our congregation.
Church Annual General Meeting.
Don't forget it is the Annual Meeting after worship next week.
The meeting itself will also be followed by a shared lunch, so bring some food with you and enjoy some fellowship together.
Church Cleaning Morning - 14th May
Very many thanks to all of you who helped with the cleaning morning on Saturday.
There was much washing, painting, dusting, polishing, hoovering and even some bricklaying.
My "mission", which I accepted and enjoyed, was to re-lay the bricks on the edge of the back entrance fire escape. So I didn't see many of you.
I forgot my camera so only managed to photograph my own handiwork when I returned later to sweep up!
Labyrinth Journeys - Part Three
We continue our Labyrinth Journeys with the third session which uses a labyrinth contained within a Triquetra symbol.
We use this labyrinth to reflect on the our resting with God and the strength he gives us.
For the materials, please click here to access them.
Annual General Church Meeting - 22nd May 2016
The papers for the Annual General Church Meeting have been added to the website under the Church Council Papers secion.
Do please read these and give them prayerful consideration before the meeting.
We do hope as many of you as possible will attend the meeting which follows on from our morning worship on the 22nd.
They are also available by clicking here.
PS - I must change the graphics which were only meant to be temporary!
Local Elections - 5th May 2016
Today is voting day, in many places including St Albans. You are encouraged to exercise your democratic right to vote. A right which was fought for by many over the years.
Please spend a few moments reading the election material from each of the candidates and pray a blessing on each of them as you cast your votes.
I have the priviledge of working in Hyde Park a few hundred metres from the memorial for the Reformers Tree destroyed during the reformer league riots for male suffrage which is not far from Speakers Corner. Emiline Pankhurst, the campaigner for female suffrage, is buried in the cemetery at Brompton which is also a Royal Park.
On an election day these are especially memorable places and people.
Labyrinth Journeys - Part Two
We continue our Labyrinth Journeys with the second session which uses a labyrinth contained within an Icthus symbol.
We use this labyrinth to reflect on the path we have travelled with God to reach this place in our journey.
For the materials, please click here to access them.
Labyrinth Journeys
Having used my Cross Labyrinth in our recent Lenten Journey. It has inspired me to add the resources I produced for a Circuit Quiet Day which used this and three other shaped labyrinths.
I plan to add a session a week for the next three weeks.
For the introduction to the theme and links to the sessions Please click here to access them.
The first session uses a labyrinth contained within a Bell.
As ever I hope someone finds this a helpful resource.
Sermon Recording
Andrew's sermon, from the 17th April, on the disciple Tabitha (Dorcas) from Acts Chapter 9 is available to listen to now.
Unfortunately due to problems with the sound system on Sunday Jan's excellent service did not record at a useable volume.
Please click here to access it.
Our Stained Glass windows
I have been asked if there is a nice set of photographs of our stained glass windows.
As you might guess, I have taken quite a few over the years! So having selected the best and adjusted the sizes etc I add them here.
Please click on each of the images to see each in their full glory.
The windows, on the Glenferrie Road side of the church, depict the six days of creation.
Our final window, in the prayer corner, is a more abstract design of the cross.
Please be aware that the larger images are approximately 3Mb each.
Nixon Memorial Hospital - Segbwema, Sierra Leone
Over the years many of us have supported the work of the Methodist Hospital in Sierra Leone.
Some great progress is being made in the region supported by the Friends of the Hospital charity.
Most recently a new Water well and pump have been completed at the Hospital paid for by the charity.
If you would like more information please have a look at their website, which I also run for them.
You can access it by clicking here:Friendsofnixon.org.uk.
Film Matinee - 16th April 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start
We have the next of our family film afternoons this week 16th April at 3:00pm
The terms of our licence do not allow us to advertise the title externally but it is a very family friendly animated feature suitable for all ages.
Details are available in the foyer of the church. We would be delighted to see anyone who would like to join us.
All this and free popcorn and lemonade!
Lenten Devotions.
I have moved these into the Worship Area of the Site under "Lent 2016 Devotionals".
I hope those who used the material found it helpful in their own journey through Lent. For those who did not use the resources they are worth a skim through even if only to read the Bible passages. I took this particular set of readings from another site but wrote my own reflection and prayers for each of the days.
They are a very powerful set of scriptures showing the foretelling of the coming of the Messiah throughout the books of the Old Testament and then into the events and Jesus' words, leading up to Easter, in the New Testament.
I must say that I tremendously enjoyed writing these although the pressure of one a day was sometimes difficult. On some days the thoughts and prayers poured from my head to my pen or keyboard. Other days it was a struggle to get thoughts down and organised.
No matter which, it has been a deep blessing to me to do this.
If anyone would like to see a similar set of devotions for Advent, please let me know and I will start them now!
Chris
Reflection on Doubting Thomas
For the Prayer and Praise service this week I have written a reflection on Doubting Thomas.
This uses the three times Thomas is recorded as speaking in John's Gospel.
If you would like to use this for your own personal devotions it is now available in the Worship > Quiet Service Resources section.
you can access it Here.....
Church Anniversary 1979
I have been loaned some archive material from the church which I am going to gradually scan and add to the website. The first of these is the celebration for 50 years since the building of the "brick" church now the Large Hall.
The observant amongst you will notice that Hatfield Road is narrower than it currently is now and that the church grounds are correspondingly larger. This is because a strip of land was compulsorarily purchased by the Local Authority to widen the road shortly after this photograph was taken.
Flourish - An Event for Women. To be held in Watford.
There is an all day event, specifically for women, at the Watford Palace Theatre on Saturday 6th June.
The event is led by Wellspring Church in Watford and has Debra Green OBE of Redeeming our Communities as a speaker together with Jo Enright who is a comedienne.
Cost is £22.50 which includes a brunch bag.
For more details and to register please visit www,wellspring-church.org or call Nikkii Willliams on 01923 331382.
The new copy of Rainbow is now available for all JMA collectors
The latest issue of Rainbow is available from Ruth or Sarah, if you are a collector and have not yet had your copy please speak to them.
This month's issue contains stories from Nicaragua, Haiti, Zimbabwe and Pakistan. It is a very information packed issue which is well worth a read.
There are some spare copies in the foyer if you would like to read this issue to see what happens to our JMA collections.
If you do not currently give regularly to a JMA collector and would like to please speak to Ruth or Sarah and they will link you with one of our collectors.
Stamp Collecting Methodist?
If you are a stamp collector and/or have an interest in Methodist stamps, postmarks and commemorative covers, I am gradually uploading my small collection to the "My Methodist History" website
you can look at them Here.....
An example from Conference 1998
Easter Day - Christ is Risen, Hallelujah!
Holy Week Services at Hatfield Road.
My TOP 10 Feature
Challenged to come up with a top ten with a Christian theme I have pondered a few options and decided to start with our hymns.
The first five of my ten have been added to the website with some detail about why I have chosen them and about the hymn itself.
you can access them Here.....
I hope you find it interesting and if this proves a popular feature I will progress to our Worship Songs, Bible Passages and perhaps Psalms.
If anyone else would like to submit their own "Top 10" please speak to me. Chris.
Farewell to the Cliff College Team.
After a fantastic week of frantic activity the Cliff team have departed for home.
We are grateful for their and all of our church fellowships enthusisam and energy in making all of the Taste and See events such a success.
It would take too long to single out individuals and I run the terrible risk of missing someone out but our thanks go to all who organised events, hosted students, cooked plentiful amounts of delicious food and helped with all of the practical arrangments of moving furniture and clearing up before and after every event!
A fuller report of some of the activities will follow shortly.
Taste and See Prayer and Praise Service
A good time of prayer and singing was shared together with the team.
Four prayer stations were available for us to meditate on some themes relevant to the mission.
Taste and See Bring and Share Lunch
It was good to see a large number stay for food and fellowship after the morning worship and tea/coffee time.
The food was excellent as was the discussion. Here a few photographs from the lunch.
Only the "shy" and those toiling in the kitchen missing.
Lunch and some!
Pudding - Children First...
Taste and See Morning Worship
Andrew led our morning worship and Blaze and Lauren gave their testimonies.
Here are the team introducing themselves to us during worship.
Our Lenten journey has brought us to Jericho and the healing of Blind Bartimaeus.
You can listen to Andrew's sermon on this theme here...
Taste and See Film Afternoon - The Miracle Maker
The first of our taste and see events today was the film afternoon. A good number of us gathered to watch The Miracle Maker. This is a stop motion animated film about the life of Jesus. The film was released in 2000 and is an excellent retelling of many of the events in Jesus' ministry, his death and resurrection. As well as the animated main storyline there are hand drawn cartoon passages used to show events outside of the main story.
If you have not seen the film and get the opportunity I would highly recommend it as an accurate re-telling of the gospel story which is visually stunning.
After the film we were treated to a "one-off trailer" for the mission created by the Cliff Team and I hope to add this to the website as soon as possible.
The team then asked some questions to get us to think about the film and the picture shows the feedback of the ideas and thoughts the film raised in the minds of the children.
All in all an excellent start to our Taste and See events.
Taste and See week begins today!
Our week with the Cliff College Students starts today. The students all arrived safely yesterday and are looking forward to their time with us.
Our events today are a family film show this afternoon at 3pm. Our licence terms do not allow us to promote the title of the film but it is suitable for the whole family. Free Lemonade and popcorn!
There is also a youth event this evening starting at 7pm for fun and pizza (Years 7 - 12)
Tax Dodging Bill Campaign - Now is the Time! Politicians want your vote!
As we approach a general election, there is a meeting tonight on this important topic. The meeting starts at 7.45pm until 9.15pm Thursday 19th March at Marlborough Road Methodist Church Hall
There is parking available at AECOM, Upper Marlborough Road if you are attending the meeting.
you can access further information on the meeting Here.....
Quiet Service Resources
The Quiet Service material from last night's service has now been uploaded to the site. The theme is "Take up your cross and follow".
We spent some time praying for the Cliff College Mission students and events.
If you would like to use the material I recommend having a Bible and copy of Singing the Faith available when you do so.
you can access it Here.....
Easter Resources from the Methodist Church
The Methodist Church has produced some excellent material for Lent and Easter.
It is available on the Methodist Church Website by clicking here....
Cliff College Mission - Foyer Board
Preparations for the Cliff College Mission are well underway. The Foyer Board is the lastest piece of the publicity for the mission to be completed.
We thank Ruth and Caroline for their creativity.
Please have a look at the board and also take some of the event flyers from the foyer tables and invite some of your friends or neighbours to one or some of the events.
Growmore Ramble
This month the Growmore Ramble will be to Hyde Mill, Bower Heath and Batford, next Saturday 28th February.
Meet at the Marquis Lane Car Park, off Station Road, Harpenden (OS 146150) near The Amble Inn (AL5 4UL) at 9.45am for 10.00am start.
The walk is about 4½ miles along the Upper Lea Valley Walk, across fields (uphill), and through woods.
If you would like to join our hardy group of walkers we would be delighted to see you. Please contact Peter and Ruth Wallace if you would like further details of this walk.
Quiet Service Resources
The Quiet Service material from last night's service has now been uploaded to the site. The theme is "Let there be light".
If you would like to use it I recommend having a Bible and copy of Singing the Faith available when you do so.
you can access it Here.....
Church Facebook page
We have joined facebook to promote our worship and service in the Fleetville area.
To access our page Click Here....
Please follow and like us!
Cliff College Mission Week - 20th - 29th March
We have added a page to the website for the Cliff Mission. Although the final arrangements are not yet finalised please visit the page to see the planned events.
We will add to this as events are confimed and more details become available.
To access the page Click Here....
Circuit Quiet Day - Saturday 28th February 2015
The Circuit Quiet Day will be held on the above date at St Stephen's Church, Watling Street, St Albans. 10am - 4pm (arrival from 9.30am)
The day will be led by The Reverend Donald Eadie and everyone is welcome. Cost is £5 which includes drinks, but please bring food to share with others at our meal.
The theme will be The foothills of transformation
For more information please Click Here.
To book a place please contact the Circuit Administrator admin@midhertsmethodists.org.uk or 01727 854211
The new copy of Rainbow is now available for all JMA collectors
The latest issue of Rainbow is available from Ruth or Sarah, if you are a collector and have not yet had your copy please speak to them.
There are some spare copies in the foyer if you would like to read this issue to see what happens to our JMA collections.
This week is our Covenant Service
We once again thank Angela for the Covenant themed noticeboard in the foyer.
To learn more about the Covenant Service there is an excellent page on The Methodist Church in Britain website Click here to access it.
Have you every thought of trying the discipline of reading through the bible in a year?
If you have or if you haven't but now I have mentioned it you are interested.
Can I recommend to you the Daily Audio Bible as a resource. This is, as the name suggests, a daily podcast of the Bible read each day with a section of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalm and Proverb together with a short thought by Brian Hardin.
If you do not want to listen to the podcast you can subscribe and get the passages emailed to you on a daily basis by registering at the Bible Gateway or you can access the daily reading plan by searching for Daily Audio Bible reading plan on the Bible Gateway.
Alternatively Click Here to access it
I have done this a few times and have found it really helpful both in exploring the Bible and in grounding myself in the scriptures. I would wholeheartedly recommend you try it. Chris.
Afternoon Cream Tea - Saturday 31st January 2015
Please do join us in the main Church for an afternoon of tea and cakes with a gentle musical accompaniment.
Happy Christmas from all at Hatfield Road Methodist
At this Christmas Time we wish everyone a very happy Christmas.
May the love of the Christ child shine in your lives, today and always.
Christmas Decorations in the Church.
We thank the Van der Merwe family for decorating the church, Angela for the display board, Colin and Roy for our Christmas trees and for the brigades who decorated the foyer tree for our Christmas celebrations.
I will add some more photographs soon.
New Book Review Added
A review of the book "The Wisdom Books" by Robert Alter has been added to the resources > book reviews section.
This is a new translation and commentary on the books of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and a fascinating journey into the content and original sources of these books of scripture.
Young people of the Circuit attend 3 Generate
3 Generate is the Methodist Church annual Youth event. 34 young people from the St Albans and Welwyn Circuit attended the event last weekend.
We look forward to hearing more about the event from those who attended in the next few weeks. Perhaps even an article for the website!
Day Care Centre - Coffee Morning
Thank you very much for the support of the coffee morning. £519.47 was raised and will be used for Christmas gifts, lunch and musical celebrations for the elderly visitors.
New Sections
I have added two new sections to the website and hope you find them helpful.
They are a "Book Review" section and a "Places we have Worshipped" section both can be found under the "Resources" button.
If you have read a book recently that you think would be helpful to others why not write a short review and let Chris have it.
If you do not want to review it yourself please speak to Chris and he will see what he can do.
Likewise if you have been away from home and worshipped at another Methodist Church why not do us a quick recommendation for if folk are visiting the same area.
For those familiar with it the idea is that this is a sort of "Trip Advisor" for Methodist places of worship. Please only positive recommendations!
Any feedback on these areas or ideas on other things to include on the website please speak to Chris.
Remembrance Sunday
At Hatfield Road we have two War Memorials. One for our own church fellowship and the other which was moved here when Boundary Road Church was closed.
On this Sunday we remember the names of those who are commemorated on our memorials
From our own Fellowship:
First World War
Charles F Badham
Fred Bruty
Sidney Catton
Herbert Corley
Frank Dibsdale
Harry Driscoll
Louis Kemp
Frank Markwell
Fred Traham
George Wright
Jack Bowles
Kenneth Grist
Leslie Whitney
From Boundary Road we remember:
James Blackburn
Ernest Haddow
James Keech
Harry Ivory
Arthur Ivory
Horace Stone
We remember their lives and sacrifice although our memories of them as individuals become dim.
Circuit Quiet Day - 8th November 2014
There will be a Circuit Quiet day held at Digswell Village Church on the 8th November 2014.From 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
This is a short session which has been designed to be accessible to both those who have attended quiet days in the past and for those who would like to try this type of reflective event for the first time.
The day will be led by our own Chris Hancock and will make use of a number of labyrinth style pathways to assist our reflection on our journey with God, past, present and future.
There will be four short sessions with some sound, poetry and prose together with some personal activities to assit in our thoughts.
It promises to be an interesting afternoon and we hope you can join us.
Quiet Reflective Service - 19th October 2014
We discussed quite a time ago making the resources produced for the Quiet Service available so that those who could not get to the service would have the option of using the material in their own devotions during the week if they would like to.
This month we spent time praying for the Cliff Mission and the Away Weekend and all of the preparation for those events.
The material can be accessed by clicking here...
Please feel free to use these resources in any way you would find helpful.
Circuit Study Evening - Resources for Remembrance Sunday
Please read the report of this excellent evening here.
The page also contains a very broad range of resources and links to other sites with material suitable for use on Remembrance Sunday.
Tuesday 7th October - CIRCUIT STUDY EVENING - 7.00pm for 7.30pm
The evening's study will be on issues to do with Remembrance Sunday and the acts of worship associated with remembrance.
The evening will be led by Rev John Churcher.
The venue is Shenley Methodist Church and all are welcome to join us at what promises to be a very thoughtful evening.
3rd October 2014 - Ecumenical and Free Church Events at St Albans Abbey
We have added a page for events at St Albans Abbey which we have been asked to promote by the Free Church Chaplain at the Abbey, Rev Peter Hudson.
You can access it via the Upcoming Events > St Albans Abbey drop down navigation or you can access it direct by Clicking Here
Website Navigation Update
We are adding some different navigation to the site and apologise for any confusion caused by this. The left hand menu will continue to be the main source of navigation until the new drop down button lists are updated.
You can of course try them if you wish to but some behaviour may be erratic!
Welcome to Rev Andrew Prout
Sunday evening saw a celebration and induction service for the arrival of our new minister Rev Andrew Prout.
We particularly thank Angela for creating a Welcome Display for Andrew.
Marlborough Road Methodist Church Open Day
Marlborough Road Methodist Church, also in St Albans, is holding an open day to co-incide with the Historic Churches Trust - Bike'n'Hike event on Saturday 13th September.
All are welcome to support our friends at Marlborough Road
Chris 04/09/2014
Youth re-decorate the Upper Room
We are delighted to report that last week a small but dedicated team of young people and their parents (only there to do the difficult bits!) have re-decorated their youth space - the Upper Room.
As you can see from the pictures the room has been transformed and we thank Sarah, Helen, Daniel and Alice for all of their hard work.
Chris 26/08/2014
Creative Arts Group Decorate Main Display Board
We are delighted that the Creative Art Group from the Church have decorated our main foyer Display Board.
As you can see from the pictures we have a number of very talented people in our midst.
If you would like to join them, whatever your talent, they would be delighted to see you at their meetings which are held monthly. Speak to Muriel for details.
Chris 25/08/2014