Our Harvest Festival is Sunday29 September – all are welcome.
There will be a special collection for Bishop of St Albans Harvest Appeal, The Leprosy Mission’s initiative Thrive: Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture in Sri Lanka. Specifically the appeal is supporting the project, Kaveri Kala Manram (KKM). A vital part of KKM’s work is making sure that families affected by leprosy have enough nutritious food to eat and the opportunity to grow enough fruit and vegetables to sell.
You can also bring along practical gifts for the South Oxhey Food Bank:
Tins of meats/meals/pies, Big Soup, sweetcorn, tuna, rice pudding
Microwave rice
Long life milk
Packets of Smash
Pot noodles
Porridge sachets
Kid’s lunchbox snacks
Squash
Angel Delight sachets
Cake making kits
Coffee, sugar
The evening before, Saturday 28 September, will be our Harvest Supper – with a Sri Lankan Theme. Tickets £7.50 for adults and £5 children (under 16). Advance booking essential, please email office@allsaintschurch.uk.
With the blessing and distribution of Palms and Palm Sunday Procession Recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem
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Holy Monday – 25 March
7.30pm The Stations of the Cross, in church
This Service provides space for reflection on Christ’s final journey.
Holy Wednesday – 27 March
7.30pm Songs for the Journey, The Vicarage
Maundy Thursday – 28 March
7.30pm Liturgy of Maundy Thursday and ‘Watch of the Passion’
We recall the Last Supper and keep Watch – until 10.30pm.
Good Friday – 29 March
10am Ecumenical Walk of Witness
Christians from across the area give witness to this solemn day. Along the way we hear the events of the Good Friday, praying and singing as we walk. The Walk ends in prayer at the Methodist Church and refreshments are shared.
2pm Quiet Hour, Oxhey Chapel
With quiet music in church, take time to pause and pray in this Holy Day.
3pm Reflective Holy Communion, Oxhey Chapel
We share the bread and wine consecrated on Maundy Thursday evening – reminding us of Christ’s body and blood given for all.
Holy Saturday/Easter Eve – 30 March at 10am
Creating the Easter Garden Help to create the Garden at the front of the church and afterwards enjoy Hot Cross Buns!
Easter 2024
Easter Day – Sunday 31 March
The most important day of the Christian Year. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of Eternal Life.
8am Easter Praise – Ecumenical Celebration
Gathered around a freshly lit bonfire, we hear the Resurrection Story, sing songs to celebrate the day and then enjoy hot cross buns together. This will be at All Saints’ with Christians from all the local churches.
10am Easter Day Holy Communion
The Great Feast of Easter is marked with the lighting of the new Easter Fire and the Paschal Candle, the Easter Garden is blessed and the new Easter Candle is welcomed into Church. During the Service all are invited to renew their Baptismal Vows and after the Service we’ll have an Easter Egg Hunt!
Easter Monday – 1 April
Easter Monday Pilgrimage to St Albans
9am – Meet at Carpenders Park Station to start walk 1pm – Picnic in the Abbey grounds 2.30pm – Parade into the Abbey 3pm – Service in the Abbey
Walkers leave from Carpenders Park to make their way to St Albans. Total walk is 11 miles, but there are a number of meeting places along the way, so if you want to meet us part way for a shorter walk, speak to Vik or Chris.
Others can catch a lift later in the day to share in the celebrations and Service at the Abbey in the afternoon. Please use the sign-up sheets at the back of church to indicate whether you plan to walk/cycle or would like a lift.
In Gaza, 23,357 Palestinians have been killed. In Israel, 1,200 people have been killed and civilians have been forcibly taken. Some have been released in a deal brokered by Qatar.
CA partners in Gaza are responding as best they can: building mobile bathrooms, providing mattresses, medicines, emergency food, shelter. CA is also actively exploring ways in which it might also support Israeli civilians who’ve been directly impacted by the violence.
Each of our donations can make a difference to the lives of those affected. Donations can be made in church throughout Lent.
In Gaza, 23,357 Palestinians have been killed. In Israel, 1,200 people have been killed and civilians have been forcibly taken. Some have been released in a deal brokered by Qatar.
CA partners in Gaza are responding as best they can: building mobile bathrooms, providing mattresses, medicines, emergency food, shelter. CA is also actively exploring ways in which it might also support Israeli civilians who’ve been directly impacted by the violence.
Each of our donations can make a difference to the lives of those affected. Donations can be made in church throughout Lent.
Ash Wednesday – 14 February
10.00am Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes 7.30pm Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
Beginning the journey ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’ Lent leads us towards the cross and as the Season begins we are marked with the cross with which we were signed at our baptism – a reminder of both death to life and life in death. The ash is made by burning the Palm Crosses which were blessed on Palm Sunday last year.
Watch and Pray
This booklet from the Church of England gives daily prompts as we consider the theme of waiting. Sign up in church to order a copy (£2.20). You can sign up for daily emails and download an App. Find out more here.
Sign-up in church to join a group and order a copy of the book (£9.59).
Lent Groups
Tuesdays at 7:30pm (in the Vicarage) starting 20 February, Thursdays at 11.30am (in church) starting 16 February, and Fridays at 8pm starting 9 February (house group)
We’re using the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book: Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith. From the cover we read, ‘Tarrying is a Black Christian spiritual practice in which believers actively wait to experience the manifestation of God’s presence. It answers yes to the question Jesus once asked his disciples: will you tarry here and watch with me? Tarry Awhile provides fresh reflections on familiar biblical passages, and draws on personal stories, theology and the spiritual wisdom of ancestors who have gone before us.’
Wednesday 28 February
7.30pm Songs for the Journey, The Vicarage
World Day of Prayer – Friday 1 March
7:30pm at Carpenders Park and South Oxhey Methodist Church
World Day of Prayer is a women led, global, ecumenical movement. This year’s service is titled I beg you, bear with one another in love and has been prepared by the Christian women of Palestine. This is a united service with the churches of South Oxhey and Carpenders Park and this year is hosted by the Methodist Church.
Mothering Sunday – 10 March
10.00am Holy Communion
Passion Sunday – 17 March 2024
10.00am Holy Communion
12 Noon Lent Lunch
Raising funds for our Lent Charity – Christian Aid – Middle East Crisis Fund. Sign up in church.
Using the book Humbug and Happiness by Sheila Jacobs, the film Scrooge (1951) will be our guide as we explore Advent themes together: The chains of life, In the past, Living now, Future perfect. If you aren’t already in a group, you are invited to join one even if only for Advent.
Thursday Group meets in Church, starting 30 November.
Friday Group meets in different homes, starting 24 November (not meeting 15 December) – email Chris Thomas for venue details.
Advent and Christmas Crafts Making
Saturday 2 December 2023 at 10:30am
Our third All Saints’ All2Gether event. We’ll be creating decorations for homes (and maybe the church). A time to enjoy each other’s company – with lunch included. All materials provided. Come along and get creative – whether or not it’s “your thing”.
Tickets £7.50 for adults and £5 for children under 16.
Look up and look out – from Sunday 3 December
Members of all the local churches are being invited to put star/s in their windows during Advent and Christmas. How many will you see around the Parish of South Oxhey and Carpenders Park?
Reading Mark’s Gospel
Sunday 3 December at 4pm
Mark is the Gospel for the coming Church Year and to mark this, we’ll read through the gospel together – with tea and refreshments in the mix. Hearing/reading the whole gospel in one session brings it to life in a whole new way. Come along and read, or listen.
Christmas Carol Service
Sunday 17 December 2023 at 4pm
Readings to tell the Christmas Story, favourite Carols, music by the Watford Accordion Band, Dr Taichi on the Marimba and other surprises around the corners.
The service concludes in Oxhey Chapel and is followed by seasonal refreshments.
Carol Singing
Thursday 21 December at 4pm
Join us at Carpenders Park Station as we join with local Christians to sing Christmas Carols and encourage locals to join in with us.
Community Carol Singing
Saturday 23 December at 5pm
We’ll be ‘down the pub’ for this Carol Singing … possibly with a drink in our hands! Come along to the Dick Whittington as we join with people of all ages to sing Carols and tell the Christmas Story together.
Crib and Christingle Service
Christmas Eve – Sunday 24 December at 4pm
Popular with all ages, with children as our focus, we tell the Christmas Story (with costumes for all ages), sing Carols and raise much needed funds for The Children’s Society.
Midnight Christmas Holy Communion
Christmas Eve – Sunday 24 December at 11:15pm
As the clock turns and we welcome the start of Christmas Day, we hear of the Saviour’s birth. This service gives space for a bit of calm and reflection before the busy day ahead.
Christmas Day Holy Communion
Monday 25 December 2023 at 10am
With a sense of fund around the edges, we celebrate what used to be known as The Saviour’s Day. With carols a-plenty amidst the celebration of Holy Communion, join us as we give thanks on this most holy of days
Christmas Jumper Sunday – Holy Communion
Sunday 31 December at 10am
You may have been given one from Christmas, so come and wear it with pride at our 10am service on the Sunday after Christmas. It is still the Christmas Season in the Church’s year, which gives the perfect excuse to save your Christmas jumper from the moth balls for a while! There will be a prize for the best!
New Year’s Day BBQ and Film
Monday 1 January 2024 at 12pm
Whatever the weather, we’ll be out barbecuing sausages and burgers. Come and join us as we celebrate the New Year together.
From 2pm, we will be showing the film we’ve been looking at during our Advent Study Groups, Scrooge from 1951.
Mince Pies and Mulled Wine
Saturday 6 January from 4 to 6pm
As we mark the close of Christmas and the arrival of Epiphany, you are invited to The Vicarage for festive hospitality. Just turn up, there will be mince pies and a cup of something warm waiting for you.
Epiphany Sunday – Holy Communion
Sunday 7 January 2024 at 10am
Join us for the celebration of the arrival of the wise men and the witness of Jesus as our Saviour to the wider World.
Admission is free and there will be plenty of items for sale to suit everyone including gifts, cards, plants, toys, books, DVDs etc. Start your Christmas shopping with us.
Table-hire is only £6 (table provided). Speak to Jo or contact the events@allsaintschurch.uk for details.
Our 10am service will conclude with an act of remembrance as we mark those who have given their lives in conflicts across the world. As part of this service, we also pray for peace.
To find out about our recent special services, check out our services archive.…
Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday 25 November 2023 at 10:30am-3pm
With stalls featuring craftspeople from across the local area – and beyond. A chance to start (or top-up) your Christmas gift shopping. Including a Christmas Raffle. The Hatch will be open for seasonal soup, treats and drinks.
Practical gifts will be donated to the Foodbank hosted at South Oxhey Baptist Church. Especially welcomed are: Tinned meats/meals/pies; Tins of sweetcorn, Big Soup, tuna, rice pudding; microwave rice; long-life milk; packets of smash; pot noodles; porridge sachets; kid’s lunchbox snacks; squash; angel delight; cake making kits.
Financial gifts will go to the Bishop of St Alban’s Harvest Appeal to support Mission Direct’s work in Kumi, Uganda as they seek to crack food poverty by providing needy families with chickens so they can sell the eggs to buy food. More details can be found here.
If you would like to make a donation, we will still be collecting cash or card donations at the next two Sunday services, or you can make an online donation clicking here and selecting ‘One-off Gift’. If you choose to make an online donation, please also email treasurer@allsaintschurch.uk with the amount donated and confirm that you’d like this to go to the Harvest Appeal.
Book Sale and Coffee Morning
Saturday 14 October 2023 at 10:30am-12:30pm
A wide range of books for all ages and interests. Come along to restock your bookshelves and enjoy cakes and refreshments.
In Loving Memory Service
Sunday 29 October 2023 at 3:30pm
A service of remembering and thanksgiving to remember those loved and lost. We will invite the families of those for whom we have conducted fiuneral services in the past year, but all are welcome as we offer comfort and ongoing prayer as the journey of bereavement continues.
Today we celebrated a change of name for our parish. The official name for our parish from 1 September 2023 is, The Parish of South Oxhey and Carpenders Park. The name of the church will still be All Saints’ and all posters etc will still have All Saints’ on them. We agreed earlier in the year we would like the name of the parish to include all of the parish.
To mark this change, our website and emails are changing (but don’t worry if you use the old ones, these will continue to work and still reach us). Our new website address is www.allsaintschurch.uk and all our email addresses will end with @allsaintschurch.uk.
On Sunday 3 September we held a celebratory Songs of Praise with Holy Communion, as well as refreshments to mark the change. Hoorah!
Passiontide, Palm Sunday, Holy Week and the Triduum Sacrum
Passion Sunday 26th March
12 Noon Lent Lunch
Homemade soup, with bread, cheese and fruit – to raise funds for our Lent Charity – Ripple Effect. Please sign up in church.
Palm Sunday 2nd April
Palm Crosses
10.30am Sung Communion
With the blessing and distribution of Palms and Palm Sunday Procession around the church
Holy Monday 3rd April
7.30pm The Stations of the Cross
This Service provides space for reflection on Christ’s final journey.
Maundy Thursday 6th April
7.30pm Liturgy of Maundy Thursday and ‘Watch of the Passion’
We recall the meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his arrest, and his act of humility when washing the feet of his disciples. We also keep Watch – until 10.30pm.
Good Friday 7th April
10.30am Ecumenical Walk of Witness
Christians from across the area will give witness to this solemn day. Beginning at the Baptist Church, along the way we shall hear together the events of the day, praying and singing too. The Walk ends in prayer at the Methodist Church, before refreshments are shared.
3pm The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square
We’ll travel down to London to see this live re-enactment of the Passion, by the Wintershall Players.
7.30pm Reflective Holy Communion
With quiet music, and time to reflect, we share communion – from the bread and wine consecrated on Maundy Thursday evening – reminding us of both Christ’s body broken and blood shed for all.
Holy Saturday/Easter Eve 8th April
10am Creating the Easter Garden
We’ll create the Garden at the front of the church and afterwards there’ll be Hot Cross Buns!
Easter
Easter Day Sunday 17th April
The most important day of the Christian Year. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of Eternal Life.
8am Easter Day Ecumenical Celebration
Gathered around a freshly lit bonfire, we’ll hear the Resurrection Story, sing songs to celebrate the day and then enjoy hot cross buns together. This will be at All Saints’ with Christians from all the local churches.
10.30am Easter Day Holy Communion
The Great Feast of Easter is marked with the lighting of the new Easter Fire and the Paschal Candle, the Easter Garden is blessed and the new Easter Candle is welcomed into Church. During the Service all are invited to renew their Baptismal Vows and after the Service we’ll have an Easter Egg Hunt!
Easter Monday 18th April
Easter Pilgrimage to St Albans
9am – Meet at Carpenders Park Station 1pm – Picnic in the Abbey grounds 2.30pm – Parade into the Abbey 3pm – Service in the Abbey
Leave from Carpenders Park to walk to St Albans, with the potential to meet other walkers along the way. Others can catch a lift later in the day in order to gather for the celebrations and Service at the Abbey in the afternoon. Please use the sign-up sheets at the back of church to indicate
10.30am Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes 7.30pm Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
Beginning the journey ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’ Lent leads us towards the cross and as the Season begins we are marked with the cross with which we were signed at our baptism – a reminder of both death to life and life in death. The ash is made by burning the Palm Crosses which were blessed on Palm Sunday last year. Recycling at its religiously- topical best!
Lent Groups
Thursdays from 11.30am-1pm (in church) and Fridays at 8pm (house group)
Talking Climate Justice – using the Lent Resources from Christian Aid we’ll be considering the Christian themes of repentance, sacrifice, redemption, reconciliation and reparation, to help us all grapple with the realities of poverty and the climate crisis and how we can respond.
Lent Appeal: Garden Twinning
In addition to our toilets in church being twinned, this Lent we’ll be twinning our church garden. Any money you save through your Lenten abstinences, please give it to supporting the Diocesan Lent Appeal which supports the work of Ripple Effect (the new name for Send a Cow). Bishop Alan (himself a keen gardener) writes, ‘Whilst you use this time of Lent to reflect on God’s word and to pray for our neighbours across the world, please consider twinning your church’s garden to plant hope for a farming family, our neighbours, in Kenya. Just £60 could help a family living in rural Migori, Kenya, with three years training in sustainable organic farming. Starting with small kitchen gardens, families can grow enough to eat to fight poverty, set up small businesses, send their children to school and go after their dreams. In addition to any money you raise from your Lent abstinences, you could host a Lent Coffee Morning as well as join our Lent Lunch on Passion Sunday (26 March). Ripple Effect have produced a Lenten Resource Leaflet: Connect with God’s creation over Lent which is available from church. You can read more about the work of Ripple Effect at: www.rippleeffect.org.
Further opportunities for Prayer and Worship
Mid-week Holy Communion
Thursdays 10.30am
We’ll be listening to a different Psalm each week and taking time to reflect on it together: 2/3: Ps 121; 9/3: Ps 95; 16/3: Ps 34.11-20; 23/3: Ps 130; 30/3: Ps 31.9-16. On Maundy Thursday, join Deborah at the Chrism Service at St Albans. If there are enough people, we’ll take a minibus! There will be no morning service on this day.
Exploring Prayer
Monday 20th March 7.30pm
The theme for March is, Call in the desert. All welcome.
All Saints' Church 