Dear friends in Christ,
As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent, we continue our journey toward Easter. Next Sunday we look forward to Laetare Sunday, also known as Mothering Sunday. Do remember to invite family members—especially mothers—as we give thanks for our own mothers, living and departed, and for the Church, our mother in faith.
This weekend Fr Joshua, Jenny and Riah are taking some of our children to the Children’s Pilgrimage. Please keep them in your prayers and we hope it will be a blessed and joyful time for them!
This week we will also lay to rest our dear sister Audrey Reid, whose funeral will take place on Thursday. After 100 years of life she witnessed and contributed so much to the life of our church, and we give thanks to God for her.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that he will give living water that becomes a spring of eternal life. In Lent we remember our baptism, when that living water was first given to us, sustaining us through every season of life.
May all that occurs this week be a spring of God’s grace through our joyful baptism.
With every blessing,
Fr Sean
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:
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.
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
Audrey Reid RIP
The funeral for Audrey Reid will take place at St Alban’s Church, received into church for Evening Prayer 11th March 4pm, and Requiem Funeral Mass 12th March 10am, followed by the committal at Croydon Crematorium at 12noon. A reception will be held at The Prince George, opposite Church. All are welcome. Audrey lived to 100 years old! And throughout her long life she contributed much to the life at witness at our church. Please pray for her and the family.
Fulham Lay Congress, St Andrews Holborn- Sat 21st March 10am – 3.30pm
Our Bishop Jonathan invites us for an inspiring time of teaching, formation and sharing our hopes and our experience as disciples of Christ. Bishop Lindsay Urwin is the keynote speaker.
National Pilgrimage to Walsingham – Monday 25th May
Join us for a day trip to The National at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. Due to rising costs, lower grants, and lack of number of people attending, this may be our last coach trip to The National…so now is your last chance! Details on the back of the booklet.
LENT 2026
Sundays in Lent: Lent Course & Soup Lunch after Parish Mass
Holy Hour: Weekdays 9am-10am
Stations of the Cross: Saturdays 12noon
We are supporting the Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call to help schools and families in the Dioceses of Zimbabwe and Jerusalem. Please consider supporting this appeal.
We also ask you to prayerfully reflect on your giving to St Alban’s Church. Our January gas bill was £2,023.53 for the church and £1,310.53 for the hall. Utility costs continue to rise, yet giving has not increased in monetary terms.
Thank you for your continued generosity, support, and prayers.
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
