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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.

ADVENT LUNCHES. The last lunch will be held in CHURCH HOUSE, on THURSDAY 20th DECEMBER, 2018 at 12.30pm. NO CHARGE, just a donation, please, to help the work of the Children's Society.

The lunch consists of homemade soup, bread, cheese, fruit and tea or coffee, with a special treat on the last day. So come along, bring your friends, and enjoy a lunch you have not had to prepare yourself at a very busy time of the year, and have lots of laughter and fellowship. Shirley (723309) and Di (723212).

At the PCC MEETING on 12th December 2018, the following key matters were discussed:

• To increase the cost of hiring Church House and the Parish Hall

• Discussion about the Statement of Needs document and needs of the Parish in line with the Mission Action Plan

• Discussion regarding our financial position

• We confirmed our Mission Giving from 2018 Stewardship to the Holy Trinity Night Shelter in Bishop's Stortford (UK) and Shiksha Rath, India (Overseas)

• We endorsed the continuation of the appointment of Revd Debbie Hare, Associate Minister, to 2023

• Date of pre-APCM PCC meeting moved to 11th April 2019 (from 4th April)

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN SAWBRIDGEWORTH PRAYER GROUP: Last week we attended a Prayer Group with representatives from The Evangelical Congregational Church, The Church of The Holy Redeemer and St James High Wych. We exchanged news about our Churches and then remembered in our prayers all those involved in the Street Pastors scheme and ail young people in our town that they be kept safe. We also prayed for Great St Mary as it faces a period of change, for Frances as she prepares to take up her new position and for Debbie and all those taking on more responsibility during the next few months. The Prayer Group meets four times a year, if you would like to know more about it please do not hesitate to ask one of us. Valerie Bright & Eileen Griffiths

FAREWELL to JAYNE MACKIN Jayne will be retiring this week. We are very grateful to Jayne for all she has done in the 2 years she has been working in the Parish Office and wish her well. You will be much missed, Jayne. We hope to have news about Jayne's successor in the office soon.

TORCHES: Please will Sidespersons at afternoon and evening services bring working torches with them to use in the event of powercuts.    Dawn & Anthony, Churchwardens

GREETINGS FROM SHIKSHA RATH (SR) Atula Watling the director of SR has sent an email wishing all at Great St Mary's "a very blessed Christmas". The email details how the slum clearance in Delhi has made their work even more challenging this year as families are displaced from their homes. They have also started a new project "gender equality and campaign against child marriage". Atula provides case studies of how SR has been able to help 3 of their young girls. Finally they have been visiting old age homes and the children have also been responding by helping others in even more need than themselves. The whole email is very moving and obviously our financial help is most needed and appreciated. There is a copy of Atula's message on the noticeboard at the back of church. Paul Bard

Please note that notices for the PEW LEAFLET should be submitted by 5pm on Thursday for printing on Friday morning. Please ensure that notices are copied to The Vicar as well as the office and 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.