A CHURCHWARDEN WRITES …..

Spring flowers show in the Churchyard as Candlemas brings a warm glow to February and our Silent Film show returns for the ninth year next Saturday…

As we emerge from 'Dry January' it is a sobering thought that Lent is just a few weeks away.

But this weekend in early February is the feast of Candlemas in the Christian calendar, and we have an excuse to follow the continental tradition of eating pancakes, so we can get some practice in for Shrove Tuesday. 

Candlemas recalls the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and another tradition involves the blessing of candles.

This Sunday our informal family service at 10am will explore these topics and at 630pm we have our traditional Choral Evensong, so join us if you can for this wonderful spiritual and musical service with historic hymns sung by the choir, including this moving and timely anthem: 

Light in the darkness, piercing the gloom, 

Life-giving candles the shadows consume; 

Light in the darkness brings hope to all people; 

Light, hope, light.  

Candle of hope, candle of peace, 

Sending a message for anguish to cease; 

Candle of joy, candle of love, 

Granting the gift of the Saviour above. 

Light at the daybreak, waking our hearts, 

Life-giving comfort as darkness departs; 

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Next time we will bring you a report on the many exciting plans being made to 'futureproof' St Mary's building and facilities - but in the meantime the fundraising team are preparing Hitchin's annual Silent Film treat to help raise funds.

St Mary's annual Silent Film Show is back on Saturday, February 10, for its ninth year with a 100th Anniversary showing of JM Barrie's 'Peter Pan' first filmed in 1924, preceded by a short 1929 fantasy 'Joyland', where Toys come to life. It's coming next Saturday 10th Feb. Doors open 6:15pm for 7pm start.

Virtuoso organist Donald McKenzie, who performed at the Odeon Leicester Square for many years, is our guide and accompanist for this unique evening of entertainment, as the music is improvised on our historic instrument and the film shown on our big screen in the Nave. 

Specially themed Burritos from Cantina Carnitas can be ordered on arrival to be served in the interval, there is a bar for drinks and a great prize raffle. Tickets £16, under 16s free. Tickets from Hitchin Information in the Churchyard, David's Bookshop Letchworth, or go to wegottickets.com/StMarysChurchEventsHitchin 

Coming up this week we also have our 8am Said Eucharist followed by our 10am One Bread One Body Family Service then at 6.30 pm Choral Evensong for Candlemas which is also livestreamed.

Other Services at St Mary's next week:

Monday,February 5 - 9am Morning Prayer

Tuesday, February 6 - 9am Morning Prayer

Wednesday, February 7 - 9am Morning Prayer – 

11am Mother's Union Corporate Eucharist followed by refreshments

Thursday, February 8 - 9am Morning Prayer

Sunday, February 11 - 8am Said Eucharist - 10am Sung Eucharist -   

The next meeting of the Theological Society is on Sunday, February 11, 630pm to 730pm in St Mary's.

The theme will be Journeys of Faith, with presentations by Rev Charmaine Sabey-Corkindale and Rev Katy Little, and the usual general conversation at the end. All welcome.

LIVESTREAMED Services on Sundays are available to watch live at 10 am, 6.30 pm or anytime afterwards on our Youtube channel available on this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/stmaryshitchin

Further updated details of our services, opening times and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin    .

Further information is found on our website:

https://www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/

You can follow us on the following platforms: 

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