As part of our 25th Anniversary Events The Rev’d Canon Pam Wise (the last Vicar) will be coming back to preach next Sunday, 18 May. There will be a Bring and Share lunch as well. Sign up to let us know you are coming along!
Then, on Sunday 8 June, the Archdeacon is coming to join us – and we’ll have another lunch! You can sigh up for that one too!
And we will have more events to come later in the year – Watch this space!
A few photos from the planting of the new Cedar of Lebanon tree today. Thank you to everyone who helped move and plant the tree and joined us on this special occasion.
God, our creator and redeemer, we know that to all living things is given a span of life and we pray that this tree will be one that has a long life, like its predecessor in this place. Amen
The tree surgeons came today to begin the process of felling the beautiful Cedar of Lebanon Tree that has stood in the grounds of All Saints’ Church for some 100 years or so. It was identified in 2019 that the tree had had succumbed to a fungal infection which recommended the tree be felled. This was then confirmed by a further report which was undertaken in late 2024. The second report was a special x-ray survey which showed the tree was virtually hollow inside. As you can see from the photograph, the centre of the tree is hollow, with all the dark wood around the hole being dead wood. In addition, the branches were very brittle, meaning limited water was reaching them. This means that the fears of both tree specialists that branches might fall was very real.
We are immensely sad at the loss of this lovely tree. Before the tree was felled, prayers were said to give thanks for the life of the tree – and the many ways in which it has served so many different people in the area across the generations, as well as providing a home for wildlife. You can read the prayer below. Copies are available from All Saints’ Church. Please let us know if you would like one.
You can also see information about the disease on the post we made last year: Public Notice: Diseased tree to be felled
We’ll be planting a new Cedar of Lebanon Tree and will give the date on our website and social media when we have a date for this.
God, our creator and redeemer, to you who formed a thousand worlds and who gives the gift of life we give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks for the gift of life which we enjoy with the whole of creation: with the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, with the plants of the earth and the trees of the field.
We praise you especially for this amazing and beautiful cedar tree which has grown to stand so tall in this place. We praise you for shade enjoyed under its boughs when the heat of the sun has been fierce. We praise you for the shelter provided by its leaves and branches when rain has been heavy. We praise you for the food and home it has given to birds and insects. We praise you for the fun enjoyed by children who have climbed its branches in both its youth and in theirs.
God, our creator and redeemer, we know that to all living things is given a span of life and that all living things must die. As the life of this tree comes to an end, we thank you for all the memories it holds for us, for all the pleasure it has given to us, for all the joy we have enjoyed in its presence.
To us who will miss its presence, bring consolation. To us who mourn its death, bring peace. To us who long for life, bring hope.
With all of Creation we offer these prayers to you, O Lord our God, the giver of new life in Christ. Amen.
Hop in the minibus at church and travel down with us to see the light installations new for Winter Lights 2025. Bring a packed tea or grab something there. All welcome. Cost will be £10 for a seat on the bus. Please sign up in church.
??? Who ???
You – and your friends. Tables of 8 – or come along and join with others.
??? How much ???
£12 – to include a two-course hot meal. Bring your own drinks!
??? How do you book ???
email: bookings@allsaintschurch.uk / phone: 07470929670
Bookings close Wednesday 12 February.
??? Will there be a Raffle ???
Definitely!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Come along to browse our selection of second hand books with a tea, coffee and cake.
Our Nominated Charities (Missions) for 2025 are:
Druglink is a substance misuse charity based in Hertfordshire. Their objective is to change the future for people who are, or could be, affected by substance misuse. They achieve this through Addiction Treatment, Housing Solutions, Education and Training.
Registered Charity No: 295384
For more information, check out the website: www.druglink.co.uk
Mind are The national Mental Health Chairty working to everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. They work through direct support with individuals as well as by lobbying parliament.
Registered charity No: 219830
For more information, check out the website: www.mind.org.uk
The Associated Country Women of the World is a network that allows rural women to connect their voices. We work to ensure the issues they face, and the solutions they raise, are heard and acknowledged by national and international policy-makers and legislators.
Registered charity No: 1174798
For more information, check out the website: acww.org.uk
We raised £1,753 (provisional figure) for our Missions in 2024 which were:
In addition, we had the following appeals during the year:
We will start at Carpenders Park’s Co-op and then journey past the station and into South Oxhey as we join with local Christians to sing Christmas Carols and encourage everyone to join in with us.
Readings and favourite carols to tell the Christmas Story.
The service starts in the church and concludes in Oxhey Chapel, followed by seasonal refreshments.
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.
As the clock turns and we welcome the start of Christmas Day and hear of the Saviour’s birth. This service gives space for a bit of calm and reflection before the busy day ahead.
With a sense of fun 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.
Following the 10am Service on the Feast of Stephen (also known as Boxing Day, 26 December), there will be seasonal refreshments and then a Bring and Share Christmas Leftovers Lunch for anyone who happens to be around. There will definitely be hot roast potatoes and stuffing balls! Sign up in church to let us know if you can come along.
You may have been given one at 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!
Whatever the weather, we’ll be out barbecuing sausages and burgers. Come and join us as we celebrate the New Year together.
Join us for the celebration of the arrival of the wise men and the witness of Jesus as our Saviour to the wider World.
All are welcome to join us on Remembrance Sunday. 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.
With stalls featuring craftspeople from across the local area – and beyond – a chance to start (or top up!) your Christmas Gift Shopping. There’ll be a special Christmas Raffle, and The Hatch will be open with seasonal soup, treats, cakes and drinks. Share the news we are open for (early) Christmas business!
Following advice from the Three Rivers District Council Tree Team, it has been determined that the Cedar Tree in the grounds of All Saints’ Church must be removed to ensure the safety of the community.
The Cedar Tree, which has long been a symbol of resilience and beauty in our church grounds, has sadly succumbed to the fungal infection Phaeolus schweinitzii. This disease has caused significant decay, hollowing out sections of the tree’s root base and main trunk. As the tree leans over a pathway, road, and car park, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to fell it, prioritising the wellbeing of all who pass by.
The Vicar of All Saints’, the Revd Deborah Snowball, expressed the church’s sorrow in taking this step: “The decision to remove the Cedar Tree was not taken lightly. It is a sad day for our church and our community, as this tree has been a much-loved landmark for so many. However, our foremost concern must be the safety of everyone who visits and worships here.”
Looking to the future, 2025 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the current All Saints’ building. As part of the celebrations, we are pleased to announce that a new Cedar will be planted to commemorate the old tree and symbolise the hope and continuity of our community’s growth.
The Vicar added:”While we mourn the loss of this beautiful tree, we also look forward with hope and anticipation to the planting of a new Cedar. This new tree will stand as a testament to our enduring faith and the lasting legacy of All Saints’ Church.”
We invite all members of the community to join us in the celebrations that will take place through next year, and to take part in the planting of the new Cedar, which will carry forward the spirit of the old tree into the next chapter of our church’s history. We propose to plant the new tree on Sunday 5 January 2025 when The Reverend Anne Douglas will be present. Anne was the Vicar when the new church building opened in 2000. (Due to delays in felling the tree, a revised date for planting the new tree will be announced in due course).
Our Harvest Festival is Sunday 29 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:
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.
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With the blessing and distribution of Palms and Palm Sunday Procession Recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem
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This Service provides space for reflection on Christ’s final journey.
We recall the Last Supper and keep Watch – until 10.30pm.
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.
With quiet music in church, take time to pause and pray in this Holy Day.
We share the bread and wine consecrated on Maundy Thursday evening – reminding us of Christ’s body and blood given for all.
Creating the Easter Garden Help to create the Garden at the front of the church and afterwards enjoy Hot Cross Buns!
The most important day of the Christian Year. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of Eternal Life.
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.
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!
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.
This Lent, All Saints’ will be supporting Christian Aid’s (CA) Middle East Crisis Appeal to provide aid in Gaza and Israel.
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.
All Saints' Church 