News

I know that people are interested to know what will be different about Church now Freedom Day has passed.

Our hope - our vision - and our goal - as we ease the final lockdown restrictions, is (as Keith said ) that we will rediscover the joy of being together, worshipping together, singing together and yes, having an after church cup of tea and catch up together.

There is much to consider - and it is our aim to move forward with care and caution - but to move forward. For the present socially distanced seating will remain and people will be encouraged to wear masks although this is no longer a requirement. To begin with, we are now inviting people to stay for drinks and fellowship after church and we will be singing the final hymn at our services. We would like the rota of readers and intercessors and sides people to resume - please let us know if / when you are willing to resume your role.

We envisage that 9and9 will continue online!

When you are booking a place at the service - please let us know if you need / wish to be extra cautious and we will arrange seating for those with that need.

The Church Wardens and I would really like to know your thoughts and feelings as we move forward - so please do speak to us, or email us if you have something to say.

We also envisage moving back as soon as possible to “ Every Sunday in Church” with two services of Holy Communion and two Services of Morning Worship in the Church each month…. Possibly as soon as September - but we will be keeping a close eye on how things are going.

Forthcoming Services in the Church

We will continue to observe Covid safe practices. Please contact me, Roni - well in advance - if you intend to be at Communion services so we can plan seating. You are encouraged still to wear a mask and bring your red service book if you have been given one already. P lease let us know if you wish to sing - or if you need / wish to be extra cautious and we will arrange seating for those with that need.

Dear All

Following lengthy discussions with churches in the deanery - A significant change is coming our way!

The Diocese of St Albans is proposing changes to the Benefice of Meppershall and Shefford - to become in future the Benefice of Campton, Meppershall and Shefford. That means that the Church of St Michael and All Angels Shefford will become part of the Benefice of Campton, Meppershall and Shefford. At the time of change - Revd Roni will continue as first incumbent/ Rector of the new benefice.

There is a formal consultation process ahead of this change, and I am asked to let people know of the proposal, and that anyone may make representations for or against all or any part or parts of the draft Scheme. If you would like to make your views known (please include the reasons for your views) preferably by email or by post to the Church Commissioners at the following address no later than midnight on Monday 2 August 2021. If they have not acknowledged receipt of your representation before this date, please ring or e-mail them to ensure it has been received:

Mr Matthew Crowe

Church Commissioners

Church House

Great Smith Street

London

SW1P 3AZ

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel 020 7898 1784

This draft Scheme provides for:

• the dissolution of the four benefices of Campton, Clophill and Haynes;
  Maulden; Clifton and Southill; and Meppershall and Shefford
• the creation of three new benefices of (i) Campton, Meppershall and Shefford; (ii) Clophill and Maulden; and (iii) Clifton, Haynes and Southill, for the appointment of their first incumbents and their places of residence, and for the future patronage arrangements for each new benefice; and
• the transfer of the parsonage house of the benefice of Campton, Clophill and Haynes to the Saint Albans Diocesan Board of Finance for diocesan purposes

A notice giving the objects of proposed pastoral reorganisation affecting this parish has or will be displayed near the main door of the Church and is available on the Church of England website www.churchofengland.org/consultation

All Pastoral Schemes follow the Diocesan Principles of Pastoral Reorganisation agreed in 2018. These are publicly available on our website: www.stalbans.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/Pastoralre-organisation-principles-2018.pdf

If they receive representations against the draft Scheme, the Church Commissioners will send all representations, both for and against, to the Bishop whose views will be sought. Individual representors will then receive copies of the Commissioners’ correspondence with the Bishop (including copies of all the representations) and they may comment further in writing to the Commissioners in light of the diocesan response if they so wish.

If there are no representations against the draft Scheme, the Commissioners will make the Scheme and arrange for it to be brought into effect.

You can download the original source document here

Source: Emma Critchley - Diocesan Pastoral and Advisory Officer

Date: 17th June 2021

Despite the pandemic, we are celebrating Easter in church today. There are still many restrictions however, including our inability to perform the joyous sermon of Hippolitus.

So, here's a video of the last time we were able to do it (a nice sunny day, just like today):

And in case you didn't get it all (quite a bit of traffic noise, sorry), here's a transcript:

Pascal Sermon - HIPPOLYTUS of Rome

Are you God's friend and lover? rejoice in this glorious feast of feasts!

Are you God's servant, knowing God's wishes? be glad with your Master, share his rejoicing!

Are you worn down with the labour of fasting? now is your payday!

Have you been working since early morning? you will be paid fair and square.

Have you been here since the third hour? you can be thankful, you will be pleased.

If you came at the sixth hour, come up without fear, you will lose nothing.

Did you linger till the ninth hour? come forward without hesitation.

Even if you came at the eleventh hour? have no fear; it is not too late.

God is a generous employer, treating the last to come as he treats the first arrival.

God gives to the one and gives to the other: honours the deed and praises the intention.

Join, then, all of you, join in our Master's rejoicing.

You who were the first to come, you who came after, come now and collect your wages.

Rich and poor, sing and dance together.

You that are hard on yourselves, you that are easy, celebrate this day.

You that have fasted and you that have not, make merry today.

The meal is ready: come and enjoy it. The calf is a fat one: you will not go away hungry. There's hospitality for all, and to spare.

No more apologizing for your poverty: the kingdom belongs to us all.

No more bewailing your failings: forgiveness has come from the grave.

No more fears of your dying: the death of our Saviour has freed us from fear.

Death played the Master: but He has mastered death

Isaiah knew this would happen, and he cried: "Death was angered when it met you in the pit."

It was angered, for it was defeated.

It was angered, for it was mocked.

It was angered, for it was abolished.

It was angered, for it was overthrown.

It was angered, for it was bound in chains.

Death swallowed a body, and met God face to face.

It took earth and encountered heaven.

It took what is seen and fell upon the unseen.

O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory?

Christ is risen and you are overthrown.

Christ is risen and evil has fallen.

Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.

Christ is risen and life reigns.

Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the tomb.

Christ is risen indeed from the dead, the first of all who had fallen asleep.

Glory and power to him for ever and ever!

Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Christ is risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Video: Stephen Lines

Date: Easter Sunday, 4th April 2021

Dear All.