VACANCY - Our Parish is currently in a `Vacancy' - which means we don't have a full time Vicar at present. Our Associate Priest, Debbie Hore, is working hard to manage the workload, ably supported by our Lay Reader, Di Kitson. If you wish to speak with a priest, please contact Debbie; for other matters, please contact Chrissy Goan in the Parish Office. The Churchwardens are also available to assist if required. Please see the back of this leaflet for all contact details. Anthony & Shona

PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK is one of our priorities as a church. If you would like anyone included in our intercessions, please fill in a prayer Request Form which are on the table at the back of church, and pass to either Revd Debbie, Di, or one of the Churchwardens. Thank you. Shona & Anthony

Please submit notices for the PEW LEAFLET to the Parish Office by 1 pm on Thursday for printing on Friday morning. PLEASE INDICATE (IN THE SUBJECT BOX) THAT THE EMAIL IS FOR THE PEW LEAFLET. Thank you. Anthony & Shona

CHRISTMAS CARDS now on sale. Sample at the back of the church. Buy from Di Kitson 723212. Limited number in church for sale now! £5 for 10 cards.         Friends of Gt. St. Mary's

FIRST AIDERS - If you have current (or lapsed) first aid training and are a member of the regular congregations on Sunday Sam 09.30am and 6.30pm or Thursday 09.30, please can you let either of the Churchwardens know. Thank you. Anthony & Shona

TRAVELLING CRIB - the nativity figures will soon be making their way around the parish. Please see the sign-up sheet at the back of church if you would like to 'host' the Traveling Crib during Advent. Rev Debbie

CHRISTINGLE -- Helpers are needed for the preparation of the Christingles on SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER, for the service on SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER 3.30pm. As Church House had been previously booked for the morning, I will be preparing them there between 2pm and 5pm. I know this time could be awkward for many of you but they must be ready for the service, therefore I would appreciate it if you are able to spare a couple of hours to give a hand. Refreshments served. Thank you. Debbie Dear

PRAYER POINT - We need your prayers please to find the person who can help improve our communications, both within our Church family and the wider Parish. If you can pray for this specific point, and if indeed think you might be the person, do speak with either of the Churchwardens. Thank you. Anthony & Shona

VACANCY - The Churchwardens have sincerely appreciated the many ways in which people have helped us during the vacancy process, most especially your prayers which have been so important to us.  Anthony and Shona.

ADVENT LUNCHES -We are still very short of helpers. Please look at the sign­up sheet at the back of the Church to see if YOU can help. The first lunch is scheduled for Thursday, 28th November, but if no help is forth-coming we shall not be able to go ahead.  Thank you.      Di and Shirley

FATHER CHRISTMAS, COFFEE AND CAKE - Save the date! Saturday 14th December, 10.00 -12.30, Church House. Chocolate and bottle tombolas, Father Christmas, teas, mince pies and cake. Proceeds in aid of Church House fund. We would be very grateful for the following donations to make this event a success: Chocolate bars or anything chocolate mainly aimed at children, bottles or jars for the bottle tombola ...including but not exclusively alcoholic! Contributions for the cake stall and importantly, help on the day. Contributions can be given to Cathy, Ann, Penny or Val. There will be a sign-up sheet for helpers at the back of the Church. Thank you.      Cathy

FOODBANK - If you find that you have missed our Foodbank collection in Church there is now a collection point in Budgens. We are very grateful for their support. Please don't forget our sale today in Church House come along and have a look you may find something nice.  Ann and Cathy

On a sad note, Gary Knott's funeral is on 20th November so please keep Theresa and her family in your prayers.           Ann and Cathy

STATEMENT OF NEEDS - At the last PCC meeting it was agreed to form a working group to review the various assessments and plans associated with the needs of our Church, and formalise recommendations for firm decisions at the next PCC on OE"' February. Anyone who would like to be part of the working group is warmly welcomed, please speak to one of the Church Wardens. Thank you.         Anthony & Shona

Please note that notices for the PEW LEAFLET should be submitted to the Parish Office by 1pm on Thursday for printing on Friday morning. Please send copies to the Churchwardens. PLEASE INDICATE (IN THE SUBJECT BOX) THAT THE EMAIL IS FOR THE PEW LEAFLET. There is limited space. Please try to keep them brief. Thank you.

DIOCESAN PRAYER DIARY can be found on the St Albans Diocesan website at www.stalbans.anglican.org/ministry/prayer-diary/

E-News will replace SEEROUND as a fortnightly e-mail roundup of news from the diocese and from parishes, forthcoming events, people notices and vacancies. Do make sure you are signed up to receive this by signing up at www.stalbans.anglican.org/news/signup-see-round-online

Alban Life is a new quarterly printed magazine. To be published at Advent, Lent, Pentecost and Harvest, each edition will give you encouraging, informing and inspiring stories about current issues and themes relevant to the life of people and churches in St Albans Diocese. The first few copies of Alban Life are distributed free of charge so we can get to know it. Please take a copy today. A short survey will be available after the magazine has been released, and the diocese would be grateful for any feedback as planning and writing future editions begins.