Lent is nearly here!
Welcome to another news update from St Cuthbert’s.
A joint service tomorrow
Tomorrow at 10.30am, we will be joining with St Catherine’s & St Paul’s church for a joint service, led by their vicar, Mark Escott. This is because our vicar, Nick, is taking the service at St Mary’s Cheshunt.
So – don’t come to St Cuthbert’s tomorrow! But if you do, don’t worry, there is time to jump in the car and get down to the church opposite Morrisons, because their service is a later start than ours. Handy!
Lent Course
Last Monday the Lent course began at St Catherine’s & St Paul’s. It’s not too late to join in – come at 7pm on Monday. You’re welcome to bring a snack, and hot drinks will be provided.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday at 7.30pm, we are hosting a special communion service here at St Cuthbert’s to mark the start of Lent. We will be joined by our friends from Hoddesdon Methodist Church and St Catherine’s & St Paul’s.
Marcia Tull, the Methodist minister will be preaching, and the service will include the practice of “ashing” where we mark our foreheads with ash, and remind ourselves of our mortality, and constant need for God’s forgiveness and salvation.
Prayer Morning
On Saturday March 15th from 9.30am, join us for a morning of prayer in St Cuthbert’s Church.
We will be thinking about communication – to help with this we’re using the example in nature of fungi and mycelium.
Mycelium plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between trees. It forms an underground network of fungi called mycorrhizal networks, connecting individual plants together to transfer water, nitrogen, carbon, and other
minerals. Through this network, trees can share resources and vital information, supporting the overall health and balance of the forest ecosystem.
What does this have to do with St Cuthbert’s? By communicating well we can be encouragers of our own ministries and look out for those who are connected outside our walls.
Our journey will be based on the areas of our Mission Action Plan beginnings with Children then moves on to think about being Good Friends with each other and Jesus. Then we consider being Good Neighbours. We will also pray for those who lead through God’s Word and then enter quiet contemplation for our own life and ministry.
There will be prayer and a challenge to send us out. Finally when all is done, share your journey with others in the hall over a cuppa.
Our prayers communicate with God, interwoven with others who are also praying. Together in unity we bring hope, share love and provide nourishment for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Farewell to Bishop Alan
Not Lenten news, but worth hearing about: Bishop Alan has announced his forthcoming retirement after 16 years as bishop of St Albans.
To celebrate his commitment and to say thank you there is to be a Farewell Service at our
Cathedral at 3.00pm on Sunday 18 May. The service is open to all. Please speak to Nick if you would like to share transport on this occasion.