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Enjoy Bonfire Night at St Michael’s, Saturday 8th November 4 - 6 pm
Bonfire Night is to be held on the Saturday 8th November, 4-6pm. Helpers are needed to build the bonfire at 9.30am, and to stoke and manage it when lit from 3.30pm. Please let Jane Larman know if you can help please. To book your tickets visit: https://shorturl.at/Ked25
Cranmer Awards, St Albans Diocesan Heat, Saturday 29th November
Cranmer Awards, St Albans Diocesan Heat Saturday 29th November 11am-1pm, St Michael’s Parish Centre AL3 4SL. The Cranmer Awards is a national public-speaking competition organized by the Prayer Book Society, open to young people aged 11-18 from all backgrounds. Participants recite passages from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which is foundational to Anglican worship and English literary heritage. The competition includes categories for Juniors (11-14) and Seniors (15-18), with prizes awarded for top performers at the regional level and a prestigious National Final at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace, London, on February 28, 2026.
Competitors will read a passage of their choice from the Book of Common Prayer, lasting 3–5 minutes, to a panel of judges and an audience of supporters. There are 3 prizes of £50, £30, and £20 in each age group at the regional level. Every participant will receive a certificate.
Please email vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk for an application form.
To learn more please go to the Cranmer Awards - The Prayer Book Society.
Parish Giving Scheme Update
Parish Giving Scheme The PGS, via which many in our parish make donations to support the ongoing life of our churches, is changing their direct debit processor to ‘Go Cardless’. The way Parish Giving Scheme direct debits are named on your bank statements will change, but in the reference it will still mention PGS. Nothing else will change, and they continue to be backed by the Church of England nationally which ensures there remain no transaction fees and that gift aid is claimed automatically without any extra administration for the parish. You will have received an email about this already, and can log-on to the Parish Giving website for a fuller Q&A about the change.
I also want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who gives to the parish, using whatever means. The pressures on churches like us, with significant heritage assets and an active ministry to maintain, are high, but your generosity means we are well placed to thrive as a place of Christian worship and witness for many years to come. I thank God for you all.
Jonny.
New Parish Administrator Appointed
Parish Administrator We are delighted to announce that a new appointment has been made to this position. Jane is now in post, and is going to be in the office 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Until next week though please continue to send notices to Jonny for the pew sheet while responsibilities are handed over.
All Souls Service November 2nd at 4pm
All Souls Service: Our annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving for the departed is on Sunday 2nd November at 4pm. Do please let others know, and to add names to the roll of remembrance, read in the prayers, please email admin@parishofstmichaels.org.uk by the 30th of October. Thank you.
Holy Pumpkin Trail 31st October 4.30 - 6.30 pm
Holy Pumpkin Trail 31st Oct 4.30 – 6.00pm It’s pumpkin time! Our popular pumpkin trail is back, with a chance to trick or treat safely from the cathedral to St Michael’s and celebrate the light of Christ in a service in church at the end. Anyone who is willing to volunteer as a sweetie coordinator or similar for the afternoon please let Jonny know.
Animal Service 4pm Sunday 14th September in the Garden of St Mary’s
Animal Service Sunday 14th September in the garden of St Mary’s Childwick Green, AL3 6JJ. All animals (and humans) welcome for this short service of thanksgiving and blessing, followed by refreshments.
Animal Service Sunday, 14th September 4.00pm at St Mary’s, Childwick Green
Sunday, 14th September 2025 4.00 p.m. at St Mary’s, Childwick Green, AL3 6JJ (off the A1081 between St Albans and Harpenden)
A simple and fun half-hour outdoor service to thank God for creation and to pray for animal welfare
Please keep dogs on leads
If you have a pet which you would like blessed, please bring it with you;
if your pet is of a nervous disposition, bring a photo and we can pray with that instead.
Blessing of School Bags & Teachers’ Mugs Sunday 7th September 9am
This Sunday 7th September at 9.30 am bring your bags to our special ‘Back to School’ All-Age Parish Communion. As our bags and we are blessed, we will pray for all that the new year holds. All welcome for refreshments afterwards.
There’s Still Time to Apply for the Position of Office Administrator
We have a part-time vacancy for the position of Office Administrator based in the Parish Office here at St Michael’s. If you would be interested in applying for this position, the job description and person specification is set out below. To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
Job Description and Person Specification for Parish Administrator
St Michael with St Mary, St Albans
Job title
Parish Administrator
Department
Parish Office
Main purposes of job
The Parish Administrator maintains a warm, welcoming, orderly atmosphere for parishioners and others who call or visit the church. Reporting to the Office Manager, the Parish Administrator is responsible and accountable for day-to-day coordination and implementation of administrative and business-related functions of St. Michael’s with St Mary’s.
Key tasks
Responsible for smooth, efficient operations of the parish office, including coordinating and executing all non-ministerial, non-financial parish operations
Annual task - Annual Church Meetings
− Prepare legal notices and display on appropriate notice boards.
− Request reports from the various committees, groups etc., including the annual accounts from the Treasurer, for inclusion in the Annual Report.
− Collate, prepare and publish the Annual Report.
Quarterly tasks
Assignment of Fees to Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)
− Collate fees for occasional offices (weddings, funerals, burials of ashes).
− Complete DBF spreadsheet and arrange for BACS payment of the clergy fees in these offices.
Payment of Organist’s Fees (Occasional Offices)
− Collate fees and provide information for the Treasurer for inclusion with the quarterly expenses’ payment.
Monthly tasks - bank account reconciliation
− Receive the monthly statement and input the information for received by BACS into the accounting system.
− Liaise with Treasurer to resolve any unidentifiable items shown on the statement to enable to be input into accounting system.
− Complete reconciliation and provided agreed specific reports created by the system to the Treasurer.
− Ensure that utilities are tracked and accounted for.
Weekly/Ad hoc tasks
− Create weekly pew sheets using information provided by vicar, organist, etc.
− Receive invoices from suppliers and raise appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Receive expenses claims from church personnel, raise the appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Handle phone calls, postal enquiries, face-to-face enquiries and emails and deal with as appropriate.
− Deal with enquiries relating to weddings, baptisms funerals etc. and take the appropriate action to:
a. Send an application form (baptisms)
b. Send the information pack (weddings)
c. Liaise with clergy (funerals and burials of ashes)
d. Raise invoices at the appropriate time for services provided
e. Monitor receipt of payment
− Create and maintain baptism and wedding diaries, and distribute to the appropriate personnel on a timely basis.
− Maintain a record of payments made to show:
a. the recipient
b. the sum paid
c. the allocation codes used
d. the method of payment (BACS or cheque)
e. the date of receipt and closure
− Monitor office supplies and re-order as required.
− Monitor church supplies as above.
− Monitor office equipment, and handle problems as they occur.
− Keep porch and notice boards up to date and post notices as required.
− Other administrative tasks as required by the Vicar.
Key results / objectives
Completes all annual, monthly and weekly tasks in an efficient and timely manner. Working closely with all church staff, volunteers, Treasurer, Wardens and Clergy to provide support services for all church operation.
Note: specific projects & activities to be scheduled for the coming year to be added by agreement with your Line Manager
Reporting to
To the Parochial Church Council via the Vicar and Office Manager appointed to act as your Line Manager, presently Stephanie Rainbow.
Person specification
A successful candidate will have good IT and communication skills, and will be comfortable communicating both via email and on the telephone.
They will be organised and numerate, and able to either demonstrate knowledge of or willingness to learn bookkeeping skills and the sometimes unintuitive ways a Church of England parish works as a legal and pastoral entity. They will be in sympathy with the Christian ethos of the parish and keen to work as part of a small office team.
Typical hours
16 hours a week, normally 09:00-13:00 Tuesday-Friday. There is a requirement that at least three of these days be spent in the office.
Salary
£15,543.00 per annum
To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
All-age Eucharist with our annual bag blessing 7th September
Sunday 7th September we have an all-age Eucharist with our annual bag (or satchel, or pencil case, etc!) blessing in readiness for the new academic year. Spread the word with all starting afresh.
Junior Church Restarts Sunday August 31st
Junior Church celebrated their final meeting of the term last week. They restart on Sunday 31st of August.
Vacancy for the Position of Office Administrator
We have a part-time vacancy for the position of Office Administrator based in the Parish Office here at St Michael’s. If you would be interested in applying for this position, the job description and person specification is set out below. To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
Job Description and Person Specification for Parish Administrator
St Michael with St Mary, St Albans
Job title
Parish Administrator
Department
Parish Office
Main purposes of job
The Parish Administrator maintains a warm, welcoming, orderly atmosphere for parishioners and others who call or visit the church. Reporting to the Office Manager, the Parish Administrator is responsible and accountable for day-to-day coordination and implementation of administrative and business-related functions of St. Michael’s with St Mary’s.
Key tasks
Responsible for smooth, efficient operations of the parish office, including coordinating and executing all non-ministerial, non-financial parish operations
Annual task - Annual Church Meetings
− Prepare legal notices and display on appropriate notice boards.
− Request reports from the various committees, groups etc., including the annual accounts from the Treasurer, for inclusion in the Annual Report.
− Collate, prepare and publish the Annual Report.
Quarterly tasks
Assignment of Fees to Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF)
− Collate fees for occasional offices (weddings, funerals, burials of ashes).
− Complete DBF spreadsheet and arrange for BACS payment of the clergy fees in these offices.
Payment of Organist’s Fees (Occasional Offices)
− Collate fees and provide information for the Treasurer for inclusion with the quarterly expenses’ payment.
Monthly tasks - bank account reconciliation
− Receive the monthly statement and input the information for received by BACS into the accounting system.
− Liaise with Treasurer to resolve any unidentifiable items shown on the statement to enable to be input into accounting system.
− Complete reconciliation and provided agreed specific reports created by the system to the Treasurer.
− Ensure that utilities are tracked and accounted for.
Weekly/Ad hoc tasks
− Create weekly pew sheets using information provided by vicar, organist, etc.
− Receive invoices from suppliers and raise appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Receive expenses claims from church personnel, raise the appropriate paperwork to arrange authorisation and payment.
− Handle phone calls, postal enquiries, face-to-face enquiries and emails and deal with as appropriate.
− Deal with enquiries relating to weddings, baptisms funerals etc. and take the appropriate action to:
a. Send an application form (baptisms)
b. Send the information pack (weddings)
c. Liaise with clergy (funerals and burials of ashes)
d. Raise invoices at the appropriate time for services provided
e. Monitor receipt of payment
− Create and maintain baptism and wedding diaries, and distribute to the appropriate personnel on a timely basis.
− Maintain a record of payments made to show:
a. the recipient
b. the sum paid
c. the allocation codes used
d. the method of payment (BACS or cheque)
e. the date of receipt and closure
− Monitor office supplies and re-order as required.
− Monitor church supplies as above.
− Monitor office equipment, and handle problems as they occur.
− Keep porch and notice boards up to date and post notices as required.
− Other administrative tasks as required by the Vicar.
Key results / objectives
Completes all annual, monthly and weekly tasks in an efficient and timely manner. Working closely with all church staff, volunteers, Treasurer, Wardens and Clergy to provide support services for all church operation.
Note: specific projects & activities to be scheduled for the coming year to be added by agreement with your Line Manager
Reporting to
To the Parochial Church Council via the Vicar and Office Manager appointed to act as your Line Manager, presently Stephanie Rainbow.
Person specification
A successful candidate will have good IT and communication skills, and will be comfortable communicating both via email and on the telephone.
They will be organised and numerate, and able to either demonstrate knowledge of or willingness to learn bookkeeping skills and the sometimes unintuitive ways a Church of England parish works as a legal and pastoral entity. They will be in sympathy with the Christian ethos of the parish and keen to work as part of a small office team.
Typical hours
16 hours a week, normally 09:00-13:00 Tuesday-Friday. There is a requirement that at least three of these days be spent in the office.
Salary
£15,543.00 per annum
To apply please send a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, a CV, and the names of two referees to vicar@parishofstmichaels.org.uk
Wimbledon Men’s Final at Kingsbury Manor, 13th July
Wimbledon Men’s Final 13th July
Adam and Jill Singer have kindly offered their cinema room in the Bothy at Kingsbury Manor so we can host an event for friends, former friends, and future friends to watch the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, enjoy drinks and nibbles, and raise money for the Friends of St Michaels. Tickets will cost £50 per person for which you will get plenty of drinks, food, and great company while you watch the final. If the weather is kind, we can also sit by the river before and after the match. We are limiting the numbers to around 20 so it will be first come first served.
This year the final starts at 16.00 and we will be ‘opening the doors’ at 15.30. There is parking at the Manor if you need it.
To secure a ticket or for more information contact Charles Naylor at thesallylunn@me.com.
Cake Sale, the Parish Centre, Sunday June 1st
In support of Christian Aid, there will be a cake sale in the Parish Centre after the 9.30 a.m. service on Sunday, 1st June. Can you bake (or buy) a cake or make some small cakes, muffins or the such-like to help raise funds for Christian Aid? If you are making cakes, please label them if they contain nuts or other items to which people may be allergic. If possible, please bring your cakes to the vicarage from Thursday 29th May onwards or preferably, on 1st June itself. Thank you.
Future Sunday Parking Provision
Parking from June will be available in the St Michael’s Top School playground. We need a steward on the gate to help people maximise the use of spaces from about 9 to 9.30am- if you’re willing to take on a session every now and again please contact Ken Young on kenyoung22@hotmail.com. Thanks to all who have volunteered already.
Emily Lloyd Ordination to the Diaconate
Emily will be completing her parish placement at St Michael's at the end of May. As she prepares for her ordination to the diaconate and her new ministry as curate at St Saviour's, you are invited to contribute to a monetary gift towards the purchase of clerical clothing as a token of the good wishes of the Parish. Please, pass your donation - cash only please - to John Bannister or Georgie by 16th May. Thank you.
The Annual St Michael’s Folk Night 2nd July
Wednesday, 2nd July – the annual St Michael’s Folk Night event from 7.00 p.m.
St Michael’s bellringers will signal the start of the event, and we will once again welcome the UK’s number one Anglo-Cuban band, the SwanVesta Social Club to the churchyard. Delicious food and beer will be available.
Proceeds from the evening will be donated to the church. Further details to come.
Farewell Service for Bishop Alan 18th May from 3pm
There will be a Farewell Service for Bishop Alan on Sunday 18th May, starting at 3.00 p.m. at the Cathedral, all are welcome to attend. If you wish to make a contribution towards the gift which will be presented at this service, the information is as follows:
Account Name: St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance. Account Number: 20776041
Sort Code: 20-05-03 Reference: BISH2025 (please note that without this reference funds will not be allocated to the gift).
