St. Helen's Parish Church &
St. Peter's, Gustard Wood

Groups & activities

Environment Group
 
Our Curate, Martin King, is the St Albans Diocesan Environment Officer.
 
Our Parish Environment Coordinator is Charlotte Tudway, who will be happy to answer any questions she can, or will enjoy finding out the answers to any she cannot.

If anyone is interested in discussing environmental matters, a Google discussion group has been set up for this purpose.  Visit this group  
 

Bellringers

We have an active Bellringers group.  Contact details Gill Clark,  16 Tudor Rd, AL4 8NW.  Telephone 01582 832579.  email - 
The group practices each Wednesday evening at 8.00pm.  Bell details.

Choir

The Choir leads the congregation in singing each Sunday at St. Helen’s under their Musical Director.  They rehearse on Thursdays at 7.45.

Friends of St. Helen's

Founded in 1970-71, the Friends of St. Helen’s was registered as a charity in 1995-96. The constitution expresses their aim as “The preservation, repair and restoration of St. Helen’s church building for the benefit of the public by the provision of funds and equipment in co-operation with the Parochial Church Council”.

Over the years, the Friends have contributed to the:

• Repair and support of the North Wall
• Recovering of South Transept roof
• Renovation and repair of the tower and spire
• External stonework repairs
• Repair and renovation of the triple lancet windows
• Stained glass window protection
• Publication of St. Helen’s Church: A Brief History and Guide
• In 2002, the Friends contributed to the timber treatment of the belfry and tower and the repair of the collapsed West End gable.
• In 2008 the Friends met one half of the costs of the restoration of the chancel, including the cleaning and re-gilding of its ceiling.
   

Wheathampstead Churches Together

The parish engages with other Christian churches in the village under the auspices of Wheathampstead Churches Together, and joint activities include Christian Aid Week, Lent study groups, the Good Friday Procession of Witness and united Services. Wheathampstead Churches Together produces a monthly magazine of 500 copies that are distributed around the Parish. If you would like to receive a copy, contact the Editor, Marie-Rose Low.

Junior Church groups

Junior Church takes place during the 9.30 service at St Helen’s each Sunday during school term time, apart from the first Sunday in each month.

Scramblers (3-5 year olds) are in church until the start of the sermon, then meet in the vestry until Communion.

Climbers (5-7 year olds) are in church until the start of the sermon, then meet in the vestry until Communion.

Adventurers (7-10 year olds) are in church until the start of the sermon, then meet in St Helen’s school until the end of the service.

Seekers (10-12 year olds) are in church until the start of the sermon, then meet in St Helen’s school until the end of the service.

Pathfinders (12-14 year olds) are in church until the start of the sermon, then meet in St Helen’s school until the end of the service.

Youth Fellowship (14+ year olds) meets once or twice a month during the first part of the Sunday morning service.  We then join the rest of the congregation before the Communion Prayer, as most of our members are confirmed. We also meet once a month on a Sunday evening for informal drama/chat/games/worship. On the first Sunday of the month we usually go to St. Peters for the 10.00 Morning Praise, where we often read, lead the prayers, or play in the music group. Once or twice a term we go out for a social event, such as pizza or bowling.

Tots’ Time is an informal service and meeting place that takes place every Thursday in term time at 10.30.

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Stewardship & administration

We would like to thank all those who contribute to the life of our churches in so many different ways. Individual members of St Helen’s and St Peter’s are generous with their time, energy, talents and money, in supporting all we are able to do and offer in the name of Christ. We could not be the churches we are without that committed support of so many.

Christian Stewardship – what’s that?

It is about facing squarely the implications and invitations of our faith: saying ‘yes, I am a Christian’; and drawing from that a desire to live our lives in response to Christ and his love.  It is recognising that we can look to God to guide us in the public and private course of our lives; and seeking to be generous, within the constraints of wisdom, in serving him and one another.  Christian Stewardship has to do with the overall balance of our lives, that they may reflect the love, peace and hope that we meet in Jesus.

What is possible, and right, for one person, will however be quite different for another: and this goes to the heart of Stewardship, as we view it in this parish.  For each of us, the invitation is to respond appropriately, and as God may guide, in the true light of one’s circumstances, strengths and limitations.  Some are able to give a lot, others a little; some are rich in money, others in time, or in the sharing of their talents. It is for each individual to determine the nature and extent of their involvement; and whatever the response, it will be valued.

External charities we are presently supporting include (2008): Church Mission Society; Church Army; TEAR Fund.

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The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The PCC is responsible for the running of the Parish.  It consists of the Rector, Churchwardens, Readers, Synod representatives and 10 elected lay persons from the Parish Electoral Role.  It normally meets 10 times a year.  Please talk to any of the PCC members if you would like a question or concern to be raised at one of their meetings.

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Links 

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