Welcome

                       Photo large of St Johns Church

 

 

Please click on the link below to watch an aerial video of the church and listen to our bells.

Drone photography courtesy of https://www.upaerial.co.uk

 

Welcome, and thank you for visiting our website.

Our church is situated in the picturesque village of Lemsford, close to Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City and opposite Brocket Hall. 

We warmly welcome all visitors to our church and we would love you to come to one of our services or events.  We hope that you find what you are looking for in these pages, but if you have any questions and would like to speak to someone about the church, please do contact one of the team members listed in the Who's Who and Contacts page.

We look forward to seeing you.

 
__________________________


WHAT'S ON AT ST JOHN'S IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AT A GLANCE

   

       
  • Thursday 7th May
    • 10am - Morning Prayer
       
  • Sunday 10th May
    • 11am - Holy Communion with Sunday Club* - Exploring Faith Together - wk 3
    • 12am - St John's APCM (Annual Meeting)
       
  • Tuesday 12th May
    • 2:30-4pm - Friendship Tea
       
  • Thursday 14th May
    • 10am - Morning Prayer
    • 6:30pm - TEAM Ascension Day Service at St. Mary's Church North Mymms
       
  • Sunday 17th May
    • 8am - Quiet Communion (BCP)
    • 11am - Reflective Worship
    • 3pm - St John’s@3 Wild Spring*
    • 5pm - Choral Evensong at St Michael's with our joint choirs
       
  • Thursday 21st May
    • 10am - Morning Prayer
* Children are welcome at all our services, but these services and events are especially suitable for families and children (as well as people of all other ages!)
 
  •  

    • Readings 

      Fifth Sunday of Easter 

           First Reading: Acts 7:55-end - to read click here (opens in new window or new tab)

Gospel: John 14:1-14 - to read click here (opens in new window or new tab)

 

This Sunday at 11am it's Holy Communion with Sunday Club - featuring our Exploring Faith Together sermon series (wk 3).  The theme this week is Following with the help of the church.  For more on this series see below.  And, following our Sunday service it's...

St John's ACPM - Sunday 10th May


 This Sunday (10th May) it's St John's APCM (effectively the AGM of the Church). This takes place after the Service on Sunday, about midday.  All are welcome to attend.

We sent out a link to download the report pack in a separate email.  If you didn't download it, don't worry, you get it in pdf format by clicking here.

In the message in that separate email we asked you to reply if you wanted a printed copy.  The good news is that no one did reply and we save some forests and ink.  So if you want to bring along a copy for reference, I suggest you download it to your iPad, Android tablet or PC. 

As usual there isn't time in the meeting to read out all of the reports (52 pages in total) and so people will jus be presenting their respective section highlights.  If you have questions, bring them along to the meeting.  See you there!

 

CAR PARKING

Because car parking at the church is becoming difficult, we are  opening up the school playground on Sunday mornings for everyone to use.  The playground is at the back of the school, and is large enough to accommodate about 30 cars.  Please do use this area to park in, but take extra care when exiting into the street as cars do tend to speed up and down the hill.


THE LEMSFORD FETE

 It was an absolutely incredible bumper Fete on Bank Holiday Monday. An amazing turn out on fete day (see the photos below) and this year, finally, the weather was kind.
Thank you so much to Paul (Fete Chair - see below in the yellow jacket), Gina, the fete organising team and everyone who volunteered, supported, and came along to make this such an incredible 2026 fete!  With a theme of Star Wars - 'May the 4th be with you' it was good to see a small Darth Vadar making an appearance too!  

_____________________________



THE CHRISTIAN EXPLORER (A WEEKLY EVENING) COURSE

 

Exploring Our Easter Faith Together This spring we're inviting everyone — long-faithful, newer, returning, or simply curious — to explore Christian faith together.

Sunday Services Four Sundays of sermons shaped to speak to people at every stage of faith.

  • 26 April — Invitation (from God the Father) 
  • 3 May — Following The ‘Way' (of God the Son) 
  • 10 May — Following with the help of the church — St John's APCM
  • 17 May — Following with the One who walks beside us (God the Holy Spirit)

Christian Explorer Morning (Adults) A relaxed, informal morning to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and talk things through - with the option of confirmation.

School Explorer Sessions (Years 5 & 6) Four lively sessions in school exploring the big questions of faith — with the option of confirmation.

  • 28 April | 5 May | 12 May | 2 June | St John's School

Confirmation Preparation (All ages — 11-12pm, Saturday 9 May) At the end of the  Explorer Morning, adults, children and families are warmly invited to join for a conversation about confirmation and a walk-through of the service. 

  • Confirmation takes place at the cathedral on Saturday 23 May — evening (exact time to be confirmed)
  • Under 18s need parental permission


Friendship Tea - Tuesday 12th May - 2:30-4pm



All are very Welcome!



ELECTORAL ROLL UPDATE

Each year we review our church’s Electoral Roll — a list of people who consider St John's their church and want to be part of its life and decision-making.

If you’re not yet on the Electoral Roll, you’re very welcome to join at any time. Being on the Roll is a simple way of saying “this is my church,” and it allows you to take part in things like the Annual Meeting. Forms are available at the back of church — just fill one in and return it to Lucy of Kathryn
 


🌿 St John’s@3 – Wild Spring - Sunday 17th May at 3pm



Join us on Sunday 17th May at 3pm for a relaxed afternoon gathering for all ages.
This month we’ll be celebrating Wild Spring — getting outdoors, noticing the beauty and new life of the season, and exploring faith together in a simple, creative way.
Expect activities for children and adults, story, music, prayer, conversation, and cake. 
📍 Meet outside St John’s Church Annexe (around the back of church)
🧥 Please come dressed for the weather.
St John’s@3 is informal interactive church for everyone — especially families, children, and anyone looking for something a little different.
 


                      CHORAL EVENSONG


We are holding a special Choral Evensong for Ascensiontide, with the Joint choirs of St Michael's and St John's, Sunday 17th May, 5.00pm at St Michael's.. Should be amazing! All are welcome. 



 
We also launched our new April/May Parish Magazine last Sunday. Those of you who were in church will have seen the printed copies, but here is the pdf version, in full colour as usual for those who prefer to read it this way.
I'm sending this a few days early as Holy Week is starting today, and the 1st of April is this Wednesday.
It's got lots of great articles as usual, and this edition is a bumper one covering Holy Week, Easter and the Fete.  To download it click here.  Enjoy!




Churchwarden and other vacancies

 As Rev Kathryn shared in church last week, Nigel will be stepping down from his church roles, including churchwarden, at the May APCM. I know you’ll join me in thanking him wholeheartedly for everything he has given over many years — his commitment, his steadiness during the vacancy, and the wisdom and support he has offered me personally since I arrived. We will, of course, say thank you properly in May.
Lorraine will be continuing as churchwarden, and I’m so glad — her stability, care, and continuity matter enormously as we move forward. We’re also fortunate to have a wonderful team of assistant churchwardens and other volunteers who already support the life of the church in so many ways.
Change like this can sometimes feel unsettling. But there is a hopeful energy in St John’s — including within our PCC — as we continue to build a vision of shared and sustainable leadership, where responsibilities are spread and people offer what they can.
To help bring that vision to life, there are a number of different ways people can get involved in the short term..
  • We’re inviting people to take a delegated lead — or simply to offer support — working alongside Lorraine and me, in any of the following areas: 
    • Buildings maintenance
    • Building compliance and safety (could be combined with maintenance)
    • Church/Annexe cleaning (could be combined with maintenance and compliance)
    • PCC Secretary
    • Website management
    • Website redesign oversight
  • Please also consider whether you could serve as churchwarden alongside Lorraine. This is a role that can be shaped around you — your gifts, your availability, and your other commitments. It’s a hugely rewarding role, and even fun sometimes!
St John’s has so much potential, and it grows best when many people play a part. If any of this sparks curiosity — whether you might lead, support, or simply explore what could work — Lorraine and I would love to have a conversation.




Exciting News! Dan Ide will be joining us at St John’s and St Michael’s as a full-time stipendiary curate
We’re delighted to share that Daniel (Dan) Ide will be joining us at St John’s and St Michael’s as a full-time stipendiary curate from July 2026. 🙌🏼
Dan is currently training for ordained ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and we can’t wait to welcome him — and to share in this next stage of his journey with God.
Please keep Dan in your prayers over the coming months as he completes his studies and prepares to begin his curacy here with us. 🙏🏽


 



THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE
What are your gifts and skills? How might you help St John’s flourish?
Last Sunday, Revd Kathryn shared some simple ways we can all play a part in church life. From welcoming at the door to helping with refreshments, music, or tech — every role makes a difference.
You can explore the lists here:
 👉 Sign-up link
Feel free to add your name online or on the paper versions in church. Thank you!

 
 

Ignatian Spirituality Session - Saturday 4 July from 8.45 to 10am

Revd Kate Pearson (Marshalswick) will be hosting an introductory contemplative session on Ignatian spirituality at the Welwyn Garden City Quaker Meeting House. 
Saturday 4 July from 8.45 to 10am (followed by coffee and croissants). 
All are welcome to attend, please email wgcquakermeeting@gmail.com to book a place.
Note from Kathryn: Kate is amazing. I went on an Ignatian retreat with her and it was absolutely wonderful. Can highly recommend! 




THE YEAR OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND WELLBEING
This year, St Albans Diocese invites us all to embark on a journey of reconnecting with our faith and discovering the renewing life of the Holy Spirit. There’s a wonderful new website full of opportunities, including retreats, quiet days (some specially for churchwardens), pilgrimage walks, talks, online accompanied prayer weeks, courses, and a special summer Cathedral celebration.

You’ll also find resources for prayer, as well as helpful guidance to care for your own wellbeing.

Why not take a look? You can book events directly, but if something catches your eye and you’d like some company, let us know, and we can see if others would like to join in too.

Visit: year.stalbansdiocese.org


 

'IOO CLUB' APRIL DRAW WINNERS

The winning numbers of the April '100 Club' Draw were:

1st prize:  Number 18  £92.70
2nd prize:  Number 7  £55.62
3rd prize:  Number 115  £37.08

To join the 100 Club contact please Nigel.


FOOD BANK
Our local Food Bank at the New Zion Christian Fellowship church would appreciate receiving donations of food and other things from us now and all year round. It would be wonderful if you could support them by bringing various things in on Sunday mornings, and placing them in the big plastic box which will be placed in the porch. The sort of things the Food Bank would like to receive are:
  • All food with good sell by dates (tins of fruit and veg, jams, packets of cereal, coffee, tea, long life milk and so on)
  • Toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner and toilet rolls
  • Cleaning products (kitchen and bathroom cleaners etc)

We are asked not to donate clothes.

Nigel will arrange to take our offerings to the New Zion church every Wednesday morning.



TEAM ASCENSION DAY SERVICE

On May 14th there will be a TEAM Ascension Day Service. 
The service will take place at St. Mary's Church North Mymms starting at 6.30p












COULD YOU BE A ST JOHN'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION GOVERNOR?

St John’s school currently has a vacancy for a Foundation Governor. Foundation Governors are nominated by the PCC, represent the Church of England on the Board, and help ensure that the Christian ethos of the school is maintained.
 
Please pray and think about whether you - or someone you know - would make a great governor. They don’t need to be a member of St John’s church, but would need to be able to fulfil the role description above.
As a governor myself, I promise you that it’s an extremely rewarding (and often fun) role, and is manageable alongside other responsibilities.
Please contact me if you’re interested.
Rev Kathryn




CHURCH GIVING

We greatly value, and desperately need, your financial support to help with the running of St John's Church.  We are always delighted to receive weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual or ad hoc donations, and these can be made in the following  different ways:

  • By bank transfer or Standing Order.  Our church bank account details are:  HSBC Bank, sort code 40-46-08, account number 51431609.
  • By cash into the church plate during services.
  • By using the contactless card machine near the main door of the church.
  • By using the link from this QR code:
This code is also printed into many of our church service leaflets.
  • By using our Quick donation page via this link
CLICK HERE

  • By text.  Just text the word LEMSFORD followed by a space and then an amount that you wish to give, to 70085, e.g. to give £10 type LEMSFORD 10, and send to 70085.
  • By using the Parish Giving Scheme, which is a direct debit scheme.  Please ask the Treasurer or a Church Warden for more information.

MANY THANKS INDEED




 HOME INSURANCE

If you need to take out, or renew, a home insurance policy, please think of using Ecclesiastical Insurance as they will donate £130 to the church through their Trust 130 Promotion.  All you need to do is to say that the donation is to go to St John's Church, Lemsford.  Find out more at www.ecclesiastical.com/trust130 or call their team on 0800 783 0130 and quote Trust 130.

 



Please sign up for a spot in the Cleaning Rota or to help with refreshments after our Sunday services


More volunteers are needed to help us. All the materials you'll need for church cleaning are provided. All that we need is your time.

Please contact the churchwardens if you would like to take a turn with either cleaning or by helping with refreshments 
You can choose dates that suit you.




 

2026 PCC meeting dates


2nd February 2026 at 7.15 pm

20th April at 7.15 pm

APCM - 10th May at 12 noon

16th May 2026 Away morning at Codicite Church at 9.30 am

14th July 2026 at 7.15 pm

29th September 2026 at 7.15 pm

 


  


    

 

  

 

To email us either click the button below or go to the Who's who and Contacts page and click on the person you would like to contact.  Alternatively please use the form at the bottom of the Who's who and Contacts page.