News and Events
Church News for Families: September 2025
There's lots to look forward to for families at St Mary's at this start of the new academic year...
All Together Services: First Sunday of the month at 10am
Next services: Sunday 7th September and Sunday 5th October (Harvest festival)
Our less formal services, led by our music group, are a wonderful opportunity to experience Sunday morning church for all ages and stages. Join us for service start at 10am and for refreshments afterwards.
Family Church: Third Sunday of the Month 2.30 to 3.45pm
Next services: Sunday 21st September, Sunday 19th October, Sunday 16th November
A fun, interactive, free play session with crafts, stories and songs aimed at children aged 4ish to 10ish and their families.
21st September sees a special 'new year' Family church with barbecue (this is our annual baptism families barbecue, combined with Family Church!) so come hungry!
Youth Group: First Sunday of the month 6.30 to 8pm
Starts up again on: Sunday 5th October 6.30pm
Two groups meet in different parts of the church - one for young people aged 11-16 and another for 16-18 year olds.
We eat pizza, chat, and puzzle over the questions of life together.
Little Lights Baby and Toddler Group: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month 1.30 to 3pm
Free play, crafts, story and songs - join us for this special baby/toddler and carer group.
We look forwards to seeing you and your families at St Mary's soon!
Christian Aid Market: Saturday 17th May
The annual Christian Aid Market, run by Churches Together in Marshalswick, is back on Saturday 17th May from 10am to 1.30pm. Drop into our stalls outside the church and come into the hall for delicious home cooking quality meals.
Family Church: Sunday 18th May 2.30 to 3.45pm
Our new monthly service is back again on Sunday 18th May at 2.30pm. Join us for crafts, story, and song. Perfect for Primary school aged children and their families (and older and younger siblings are welcome too!)
Ruth Goatly Moving On
This announcement was shared in our 10am service on Sunday 4th May:
After a long and fruitful ministry here at St Mary's, Ruth has discerned that now is the moment to step back from her role as Associate Priest. We are hugely grateful to Ruth for all she has done and been for us here at St Mary’s; as well as her wonderful pastoral and missional ministry amongst us, she has seen us through two vacancies and in recent times has run coffee shop and been the priest for lunch club and holiday at home. Ruth’s role as an Anna Chaplain is expanding and whilst I know we’ll miss seeing her so regularly here, we will still see her around in that role, and we have promised to keep in touch.
Ruth will be with us on Sunday 18th May to preach and preside at our 10am service.
Please do come along to help express our gratitude and love as she continues to follow God’s call.
A wonderful start to Family Church
Thank you so much to everyone who came to Family Church on 27th April - what a wonderful afternoon we had together. Check here for future dates and updates for Family church!
Family Church Launch
Our new, monthly, service for children and their families launches on Sunday 27th April at 2.30pm!
Join us for crafts, story, and song (and at this launch event there are rumours of a bouncy castle and ice cream to celebrate)!
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
Our APCM will be held on Sunday 6th April at 11.30am in the church. The annual report can be downloaded here, and the additional reports for the meeting can be downloaded here.
Festive Fun: Quiz Answers
Well done to everyone who gave our dastardly difficult Christmas quiz sheet a go - always a hit, and great fun! Answer sheets can be downloaded by clicking here - how did you do?
Christmas Services
Our Christmas services are now up. Check our special Christmas webpage for details.
Carol Singing for Community Pantry: 30th November
Join us outside Marshalswick Community Centre on Saturday 30th November from 4.30pm when we are singing carols to help raise money for St Albans Community Pantry. All welcome to join and to sing!
Fayrfax Consort: 11th December
Our annual festive treat is back again. Join us on Wednesday 11th December at 8pm for entertainment by candlelight to welcome in the Christmas season.
Tickets are £10 for adults and £3 for students and under 18's.
This event often sells out so be sure to reserve your tickets from Maureen by calling 01727 852364.
Access and Green Spaces Project
We're really grateful for groups and individuals having taken the time to comment on proposed changes to St Mary's accessibility and green spaces.
The form remains open and you can click here to look at the plans and to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
Arts and Craft Exhibition
On Saturday 18th May, alongside the Christian Aid Market, we are holding a small exhibition of arts and crafts made by St Mary's members, past and present, many of them connected to the life of St Mary's in some way.
Do drop in from 10.30am to 1.30pm, and take a look.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM): 12th May 2024
On Sunday 12th May we'll gather at 11am, after our morning service, for our Annual Meeting. Beginning with the election of Church Wardens, we'll then review together the Church's Annual report for 2023, including accounts.
Ash Wednesday Service: 14th February at 7.30pm
Join us for a simple, traditional service of Communion and the imposition of ashes. A beautiful and poignant start to Lent.
Race Justice Action Group (RJAG) Listening Exercise
The Racial Justice Action Group (‘RJAG’) has invited us to use their listening exercise to help their work. They hope that the results will alert the group to race related problems that exist or might exist in our diocese, so that they can then better target action plans to address those issues.
The survey is anonymous and everyone who attends St Mary’s, and anyone who has attended in the past, for any length of time, is invited to take part. Please click here to complete the survey. The form will stay open until Easter 2024.
Little Lights Baby and Toddler Group
Starts Wednesday 10th January 2024
St Mary's had a very popular toddler group running pre-Covid and we're delighted that it's back, new and refreshed, with activities and crafts for little ones aged 0-4, and their grown ups. Join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 1.30 to 3pm for chat, refreshments and play.
