Dear friends,
This Sunday we celebrate Mothering Sunday, a lovely and uplifting moment in our Lenten journey together. It is a time of refreshment and rejoicing as we continue to draw nearer to the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection.
Holy Week and Easter are now not far away, and before long we will be keeping the most important week in the whole Christian year. As we approach these sacred days, do please think about inviting friends, family, and neighbours to join us at St Alban’s. A simple invitation can make all the difference, and it would be wonderful to welcome many people through our doors as we celebrate the heart of our faith.
On Sunday we give thanks for our mothers and for all who have cared for us with a mother’s love. We will remember in our prayers our mothers, living and departed, our families, and the life of Mother Church which nourishes us in faith.
We will also ask the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, that she may intercede for us and ask God’s blessing upon all our worship in the days to come.
I look forward very much to seeing you on Sunday as we gather in thanksgiving and prayer.
With my prayers and every blessing,
Fr Sean
Notices
Mothering Sunday – 15 March
Please invite family members, especially mothers, to our Mother’s Day service. Our Children’s Church will help lead and included is our distribution of flowers.
Fr Sean annual leave
From Tuesday next week Fr Sean will be away and will return Wednesday 25 March.
Solemnity of St Joseph – Thursday 19 March 7pm
We’re delighted that Rev’d Peter Welby (Archbishop Justin’s son) will be celebrating the Mass of St Joseph. A welcome break from our Lenten Fast on this Feast Day! Join us for a fish/sausage and chips supper afterwards.
Fulham Lay Congress, St Alban’s Holborn- Sat 21st March 10am – 3.30pm
Our Bishop Jonathan invites us for an inspiring time of formation and sharing our hopes as disciples of Christ. Bishop Lindsay Urwin is the keynote speaker.
Flowers for Easter
Please do make a contribution towards the flowers for Holy Week, so the church looks bright and beautiful for Easter.
Palm Sunday Stewards
For our outdoor palm procession, we will need stewards to help organise the zebra crossings. Please see Jenny.
Have your say on the next Bishop of Southwark
Our Diocesan Bishop – Bishop Christopher – will be retiring this summer, after many years of faithful leadership in our diocese. Because of this, we’re preparing to begin our search for the next Bishop of Southwark – and in doing so, we want to ensure that we hear the views of as many people as possible across our communities.
We’d love for you and those in your parish to fill it out. The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 5-7 minutes to complete.
Please use the link below to fill in the survey:
NEQE Safeguarding
NEQE Safeguarding Group has been commissioned to conduct an Independent Safeguarding Audits of the Church of England to make sure dioceses and cathedrals are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected.
Please see below a letter and the link below from the INEQE audit team explaining the need for surveys to be answered.
This Week at St Alban's
Contact
Vicar:
Fr Sean Gilbert SSC (020) 8653 6092
Assistant Curate:
Fr Joshua Pollard SSC 07466 574714
Churchwarden:
Jenny Sturtevant 07745 017607
Safeguarding Officers:
Shelley Leckey (020) 8240 9188
Margaret Earle 07972647007
Hall Hire:
Tammy Sprosen 07944435013
hmalbanse25@gmail.com
