Christmas Tree Festival 2–6pm on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets
The 3 Churches Benefice are holding a Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church, St Margarets. It is a wonderful opportunity for us all, as a community, to get into the spirit of Christmas!
Entry to the Festival will be FREE, but seasonal refreshments will be available to buy for those visiting. We will also have a tombola, children’s activities, a teddy tombola and craft stalls with some lovely homemade items. Any proceeds will go towards the work and upkeep of the church.
*NEW THIS YEAR* We also have a ‘Carols amidst the Christmas Trees’ at 5pm on Sunday 7thDecember. Don’t miss it!
As the weather turns colder, we’re opening our doors and hearts to offer Warm Welcome Spaces across The 3 Churches Benefice. Whether you’re looking for company, a cuppa, or simply a warm and friendly place to spend some time, we’d love to see you.
Coffee Morning – Every Monday 📍 The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts 🕘 9.00–11.00am
Come and share a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy a fun activity and connect with others in our free, welcoming space. It’s a relaxed, friendly morning where everyone is welcome!
Community Hub Drop-in – Every Wednesday 📍 St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets 🕥 10.30–11.30am
Our Wednesday session is open to anyone who needs a chat, a bit of practical help, or just a safe space to sit and relax for a while.
These sessions are part of the national Warm Welcome Spaces initiative, supporting communities to come together and ensuring everyone has somewhere warm and welcoming to go this winter.
So if you’re nearby – come and join us! Have a cuppa, meet new friends and enjoy the warmth of community.
As we approach Remembrance Sunday, The 3 Churches Benefice invites everyone in our community to come together in gratitude and reflection. On Sunday 9th November 2025, we will gather to honour the courage, sacrifice and service of all those who have given their lives in conflicts past and present.
Our services this year will be held across the Benefice as follows:
9.00am – Remembrance Sunday Eucharist Service St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell Begin the day with a quiet and reflective Eucharist service, offering time for prayer and thanksgiving for all who have served.
10.30am – Service of Remembrance Amwell Lane War Memorial, Great Amwell Join us outdoors at the Amwell Lane War Memorial for our traditional Act of Remembrance. We will pause together for the two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths. Please dress warmly and bring umbrellas in case of rain.
10.30am – Service of Remembrance St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts This service will begin inside St Andrew’s Church before moving outside to the war memorial for the Act of Remembrance. We invite everyone to come prepared for the weather as we gather together in reflection and unity.
Remembrance Sunday is a meaningful moment in the life of our community – a time to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to pray for peace in our world today. We look forward to welcoming you as we stand together in remembrance and hope.
Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from 9 to 15th October every year, is a time for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together, to remember much-loved and missed babies, and raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss.
Sands – the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity – leads this special week. It is represented by a blue and pink ribbon logo, which has been the inspiration to create Ribbon Displays up and down the UK, in every community, inviting those who have experienced loss to come together and remember their babies.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Display The 3 Churches Benefice is hosting a Ribbon Display outside St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbotts. You are encouraged to add your own ribbon of remembrance during the week. The church will also be open from 3–5pm on Sunday 12th October for quiet reflection.
The 3 Churches Ribbon Run From 3pm on Sunday 12th October, a team will run/walk the 5km circuit from St Andrew’s to raise funds for Sands. Walkers and Runners welcome!
The loss of a baby or pregnancy is heart-breaking, and this is happening to families across the UK everyday.
If you are in need of any support locally, please do reach out to The 3 Churches Benefice: vicar@3churches.net / 07488 914972 / 01920 870009.
For anyone who needs the support of Sands, you can find more information on their website www.sands.org.uk.
Saying Goodbye Service at St Albans Cathedral On 14th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral, Saying Goodbye (part of the Mariposa Trust) will be hosting one of their special services. This is for anyone who has either personally lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, or who has been affected by family members’ or friends’ loss.
To read more on the charity, please see the Saying Goodbye website, which you can find at: www.sayinggoodbye.org.
We’re excited to share something new starting on 21st September – and we’d love for you to be part of it!
Make Church is a brand new monthly gathering especially for children and families, designed to be inclusive, sensory and joyful – a place where children of all abilities can explore faith in their own way.
There’ll be:
🎶 Songs and actions 🖐 Hands-on sensory experiences 🤸 Movement and play ❤ A warm, safe space where all children are welcome
And it’s not just for the kids – parents and carers are part of the journey too. Whether your child is full of energy, prefers to observe, or has additional needs, there’s a place for them at Make Church.
🕓 When? Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4:00 PM First session: 21st September Also on: 19th October, 16th November, 21st December
📍 Where? St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots
❤ Come as you are. Let’s Make Church together. ❤
If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
Get ready for a fun-filled, active day out for a great cause – Bike ‘n’ Hike is happening this Saturday 13th September, and there’s still time to get involved!
Whether you’re a keen cyclist, a casual walker, or looking for a family day out, Bike ‘n’ Hike is a fantastic way to explore beautiful historic churches across the region while raising vital funds. The money you raise is split between a local church of your choice and the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust, helping to preserve these wonderful buildings for generations to come.
The3 Churches Benefice are also joining in the fun with a special Family Map, designed to guide you around our three lovely churches in a safe and enjoyable route suitable for all ages.
To get your Family Map, just email: admin@3churches.net
So dust off your bike, lace up your walking shoes and get ready for a rewarding adventure this weekend!
The 3 Churches Benefice are holding a special VJ Day Celebration Tea at St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell, on 17th August from 2.30 to 4.30pm.
The Fourteenth Army included troops from all corners of the Commonwealth, including Britain, India, Africa and Burma. It is often referred to as the ‘Forgotten Army’ in part owing to the focus on ‘Germany first’ and the European campaign being closer to home, but they fought in challenging terrain and ultimately contributed to the defeat of the Japanese.
Many families, including those of Churchwardens Sue and Margaret, waited until August for the homecoming of their loved ones. Their service and sacrifice is important to remember on this 80th Anniversary of VJ Day.
Have you ever wanted to understand the Bible better?
Whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer, someone who drifted away from church, or just curious about what the Bible is all about, The Bible Course is for you.
What is The Bible Course? Produced by the Bible Society, The Bible Course is a brilliant introduction (or re-introduction!) to the world’s bestselling book. Each session combines video teaching, discussion time and personal reflection. It’s accessible, engaging and genuinely eye-opening – whether you’ve read the Bible for years or are just starting to explore.
You’ll learn:
How the Bible fits together as a whole
Who the key people are, and why they matter
What themes run through Scripture from beginning to end
How this ancient book still speaks to us today
Who is it for? Honestly? Everyone. If you:
Feel curious about the Bible but don’t know where to start
Want to grow in your understanding and confidence
Have big questions about faith, life, and God
Are part of church – or not at all!
When and Where? **The course starts on Monday 23rd June** Alternate Mondays (dates: 23/6, 7/7, 21/7, 4/8, 1/9, 15/9, 29/9, 13/10) 🕕 7.30 to 9.30pm 📍 St Mary’s Church, St Margarets
Interested? Let us know you’re coming by getting in touch. Contact Rev’d Sarah (Email: vicar@3churches.net or Text/Call: 07488 914972)
The Bible Course has helped thousands of people discover the Bible as a living story – one that speaks hope, meaning and purpose into everyday life. Why not come along and see where the journey takes you?
You are invited to the annual Rogation Day Service at St James’ Church, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbotts on Sunday 25th May 2025 at 11am. All are welcome to this special thanksgiving service in the beautiful old Parish Church of St James.
Traditionally Rogation Day included ‘beating the bounds’, which was an opportunity to re-establish the area considered to be the Parish of Stanstead Abbotts and to ensure the boundaries were clear. This year, we will meet outside St James’ Church at approximately 12pm and head out on a short, led walk that is suitable for families. Do wear sturdy shoes, bring a bottle of water and, if the weather in nice, why not bring a picnic!
8th May 1945 was a day of immense relief and celebration across Britain and the Commonwealth after nearly six years of conflict.
During the war years, the villages of Great Amwell, St Margarets and Stanstead Abbotts played their part in the national effort. Residents served in the armed forces and civil defence roles, while the countryside and local facilities were used for various wartime purposes. Local residents would have experienced rationing, blackouts and the arrival of evacuees. The local railway line was a key part of the transportation network, linking local communities with the broader wartime logistics system.
This year’s 80th anniversary commemorations not only honoured the past, but also brought the community together in a shared act of remembrance and unity.
Stanstead Abbotts & St Margarets Village Club The Village Club was a hub of celebration on Sunday 4th May.Organised by The Village Club in partnership with Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets Parish Councils, the event that ran from 12 to 4pm welcomed visitors to 4–6 High Street for an afternoon filled with music, fun and community spirit.
Mick was a Paratrooper in the Falklands
St John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell In Great Amwell, delicious cream teas were served from 2.30pm on Sunday 4th May in the beautiful setting of St John the Baptist Church to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day.
It was a lovely afternoon. Sitting in the quiet of the historic church, provided an opportunity for members of the community to come together, reflect and remember the significance of the day.
Displays Information of wartime life in the villages, where Spitfires shot up our High Street, Flying Bombs took roofs off, and where our brave soldiers and airmen fought and fell are to be found on two notice boards in the villages:
One on the Local History Board at the High Street car park entrance and the other (with extra photos of VE Day street parties) outside the entrance to The Village Club (Home Guard HQ 1939–45).
These will be on show for the next few days for all to see.
As the nation reflects on eight decades since the end of the war in Europe, local commemorations such as these serve to remind us of the importance of remembering history, honouring sacrifice and preserving peace.
The Three Villages 