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Animal Service Sunday 13th September, 4pm at St Mary’s, followed by refreshments in the churchyard.
Animal Service Next Sunday, as if blessing bags weren’t enough, at St Mary’s at 4pm there is also the annual blessing of animals, followed by refreshments in the churchyard or schoolroom depending on the weather. This is a real highlight of the year, and all creatures great and small are welcome!
Annual Bag Blessings, Sunday 13th September
Bag Blessings Next Sunday (13th) we will have our annual blessing of school bags (and general back to school equipment!) asking God to help them carry our loads to the best of their ability this new year and for his support and guidance for us all.
Talk by Deborah Spring at St Mary’s, Sunday September 27th at 4pm: ‘Religious Upheaval and Change at the Time of Francis Bacon.’
Talk with Deborah Spring at 4pm on Michaelmas (Sunday 27th September) Lady Deborah Spring is giving at talk at St Mary’s Childwick on the religious upheaval and change at the time of Francis Bacon. It will be followed by tea and cake at 5, and evensong at 6. Do come along and enjoy the afternoon and her expertise on this fascinating period in the life of our parish.
Nicodemites and Nonconformists: the Bacons and religious change in Tudor England
As St Albans marks the 400th anniversary of the death of celebrated statesman and philosopher Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban, Deborah Spring explores how the Bacon family negotiated and survived the roller coaster of religious upheavals across the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, and into the reign of James I. Active in religious reform during the reign of the boy king Edward VI, the family employed careful tactics to negotiate the perils of Catholic Mary’s reign. During the reign of Elizabeth I, with England once more a Protestant country, the widowed Lady Anne Bacon gave refuge at Gorhambury to the dissident Puritan preachers of Hertfordshire and with the support of her son Francis and brother-in-law Lord Burghley, campaigned vigorously on their behalf. This talk highlights the extraordinary story of how the Bacons successfully navigated a dangerous era of tumultuous political and religious change.
Deborah Spring is a researcher and writer, the author of Lady Anne Bacon: A woman of learning at the Tudor court (University of Hertfordshire Press, 2024). She lives locally, and is a member of SAHAAS.
Month of Prayer for the Holy Spirit this August
Month of Prayer for the Holy Spirit. During August we are encouraged to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit both for ourselves and our church community, daily if we can. You might like to use this prayer from the Confirmation Service. Try keeping a minute of silence then say:
God of mercy, by whose grace alone your people are accepted and equipped for your service: stir up in me the gifts of your Holy Spirit and make me worthy of your calling; that I may bring forth the fruits of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God.
Amen.
Harry Christophers & ‘The Sixteen’ performing in St Michael’s, 17th Sept at 7.30 pm
‘The Sixteen’ are performing in St Michael’s on the 17th Sept at 7.30 pm. One of the final events of Bacon400, this concert of words and music from the time of the Tudors led by this world-famous consort is expected to be a sell-out. Tickets available at: tinyurl.com/cm3mkufb. They have been held for the parish for two weeks and will now go on general sale.
‘Christophers is probably the best-known choral director in the world. For 45 years, his professional vocal ensemble, The Sixteen, has set the gold standard, especially in the sacred-music repertoire.’ The Times
Any account of choral music in the early twenty-first century would be incomplete without a chapter dedicated to the work of Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. The conductor, in partnership with the ensemble he founded over 45 years ago, has set benchmark standards for the performance of everything from late medieval polyphony to new works from today’s finest choral composers. While his artistry arises from the great British tradition of cathedral and collegiate choral singing, it soars above convention to open fresh perspectives on Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary music.
Muskets, Ruffs & Revels! Step Back in Time at the St Michael’s Tudor Fayre! July 11th between 11am and 4pm. Free to Enter
There will be games, refreshments,Tudor historical re-enactors, a flower extravaganza, face painting, local crafts, music, dancing and much, much more in the churchyard and paddock. Free to enter 11th July between 11am and 4pm.
09.30 Service 12th July: All music will be contemporary with Bacon’s world in celebration of his 400th Anniversary.
In celebration of Sir Francis Bacon’s 400th anniversary, all the music at the 09.30 service on July 12th will be contemporaneous with his historical time and the 1662 liturgy will be used. All are welcome.
Sir Francis Bacon Exhibition now on at St Michael’s Church until September
As part of the Sir Francis Bacon 400th Anniversary, St Michael’s Church is now hosting an excellent exhibition covering different aspects of his life and works running until September this year. The display panels are situated throughout the church.
Rebooting the St Albans Diocesan Branch of the Prayer Book Society 21st June 2026
After the 6pm Evensong at St Mary’s Childwick there will be drinks and a presentation on our aspiration to restart a branch of the Prayer Book Society for this Diocese. The Society exists to promote the use of the jewel in the crown of the C of E, the Prayer Book, authorised by King Charles II in its final version in 1662. Please do spread the word, and even better come along to see what it’s all about.
Reminder of upcoming July Events!
Folk Night 1st July is fast approaching. This is a staple event in the St Michael’s Village Calendar, and great fun. If you have an hour to spare either in the day setting up or from about 7-11pm to help run the bar or tidy up at the end please let Alison, Steph, or Jonny know. Thank you.
St Michael’s Tudor Fayre on the 11th of July there is going to be a Tudor fair for Bacon400 in the churchyard and paddock, including living history re-enactors, flowers in church, and games outside. Please put it in your diaries, and if you are able to help with the set-up, stalls, or general merriment on the day please let Steph, Kathryn or the Vicar know. Thanks very much to all who have responded so positively so far!
Open Garden at Maynes Farmhouse 3pm to 6pm, Tuesday 14th July. In support of the Friends of St Michaels, you are invited for tea and cake and to enjoy the garden and wildflower meadow at Maynes Farmhouse, Gorhambury Estate, by kind invitation of the Earl and Countess of Verulam. Non-members can either pay £12 or, alternatively, if you sign up as a Friend (which costs £10 per annum), entry is free. If you would like to come, please email thesallylunn@me.com for payment details, or a membership form if you would like to join the Friends.
Concert: Music of the Early Renaissance, Friday 1st May, 7pm, St Michael’s Church
Ad Parnassum presents: ‘Flos Florum’ - The Art of Musical Construction of the Early Renaissance.
St Michael’s Church, Friday 1st May 2026 at 7pm. (Entry is free, donations welcome).
This is a free concert ahead of their London programme and we are delighted to be able to welcome them here for a first UK visit. Please do share this widely. They are exceptional.
With the music of G Dufay, J Constable, G Binchois, L Power and anonymous composers from the XV century. Ensemble Ars Cantus Mensurabilis (Maria-Lisa Geyer - voice, Riccardo Parravicini - portative organ, and Christiano Brunella - vielle).
Bacon 400: Evening Talk & Garden Visit, 25th June at Serge Hill, with Paula Henderson
Bacon 400: Sir Francis Bacon’s ‘greater perfection’ and his passion for plants with Paula Henderson
The Apple House, Sergehill Lane, Bedmond, Hertfordshire WD5 0RZ
Thursday 25 June 2026, 6pm–8pm
2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Sir Francis Bacon, one of history’s greatest philosophers, scientists, and statesmen. As his home and final resting place, St Albans will be the focal point for Bacon400 global commemorations, featuring a wide programme of lectures, exhibitions, and community activities that celebrate his enduring legacy.
Join us for an unmissable evening in The Apple House, with architectural and garden historian and award-winning author Paula Henderson as she celebrates Sir Francis Bacon’s passion for and expertise on plants. An evening which will appeal to gardeners, garden designers, history lovers and anyone with a passion for plants and gardens.
This event is run in association with Hertfordshire Gardens Trust and as part of the Bacon400 celebrations.
St Michael’s Tudor Fair, 11th July 2026
St Michael’s Tudor Fayre on the 11th of July. There is going to be a Tudor extravaganza for Bacon400 in the churchyard and paddock, including living history re enactors, flowers in church, and games outside. Please put it in your diaries, and if you are able to help with the set-up, stalls, or general merriment on the day please let Steph, Kathryn or the Vicar know.
Visit to Trinity College Cambridge, May 31st
31st May visit to Trinity College, Cambridge.
The Parish has been invited to Trinity to see their collection of ‘Baconia’ in the Wren Library, a tour of the college, and to join them in the chapel (where there is a copy of St Michael’s statue of Bacon) for evensong on Sunday 31st May. We would aim to arrive in time for the early afternoon. Anybody interested in joining the outing please email Jonny on vicar@...
Lloyds Bank Chaos
Lloyds Bank Chaos: Our giftaid charity account was unexpectedly closed last week (we’re trying to get to the bottom of why) which means if you give to the Parish by standing order this month’s payment will not have gone out and you should cancel your SO. We will be writing to all our generous doners with details of the new account when we’re able to set it up, but if you would like more information please speak to the Vicar.
An Evening with Mark Rylance & Peter Dawkins for Bacon400, 9th April at 6pm
On the anniversary of Bacon’s death, join Mark and Peter at St Michael’s on the evening of April the 9th at 6pm for a discussion and examination of the man and his legacy. With readings from Bacon and Shakespeare, and a lively examination of the ‘Shakespeare question’ this is an evening not to be missed. Tickets available here: https://tinyurl.comjkrccekz
Joint Evensong with singers from St Michael’s Church, Trinity College Cambridge & St Albans School.
Sir Francis Bacon was closely associated with each of the three organisations represented in the choirs at this service of Evensong; St Albans School was re-founded by his father, Bacon was a graduate of Trinity College Cambridge, and he was patron of and buried in St Michael’s church.
With music and liturgy that Bacon would have known, all are welcome to this service of Choral Evensong.
‘Bacon 400’ Fireside Talk at Gorhambury, January 22nd, 7pm
As part of the events this year to commemorate the life and legacy of Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Gorhambury is hosting a ‘Bacon 400’ Fireside Talk with Suzannah Lipscombe and Jesse Norman, January 22nd at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased through the website: Gorhamburyestate.co.uk
Medieval Carols at St Michael’s 11th December 7.30pm
Leading UK choir ‘Opus Anglicanum’ are coming to St Michael’s for a candlelit concert of words and music into the spiritual heart of Medieval Christmas. Described last year by the Guardian as ‘one of the top-10 carol concerts’ in the UK, to get tickets visit: https://www.opusanglicanum.org/event/2025/medieval-carols-st-albans