MESSAGE FROM HITCHIN TOWN FC's CHAPLAIN MAXINE HOWARTH

Hello!

Here at St Mark's we are planning for what is one of the busiest terms of the church year.

Children heading back to school means Harvest assemblies and celebrations aplenty, alongside the churches traditional service of thanksgiving for all we believe has been provided for us.

This is one of the most joyful of our celebrations, as we remember how fortunate we are in all that we have.

Of course, everything that is happening at St Mark's is happening for the first time with me as the priest, so familiarisation takes a while because each church does things slightly differently.

Not right or wrong, just different. The same can be said of Chaplaincy – I've worked in schools, airports, prisons and hospitals and they are all very different.

I am really enjoying my new role as chaplain to Hitchin Town Football Club.

I have only managed to take in a couple of games so far – a spirited defeat at the hands of League One Stevenage and a victory for the Canaries in the FA Cup (preliminary rounds) against Welwyn Garden City.

I will be hoping to attend more regularly to cheer them up the League over the coming months.

My family and I have really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and welcome at the ground (and also the chips at half time).

It has been good to get so close up to the action in the way you can't at larger stadia and we have been impressed by the quality of the football at this level.

Do come and say hello if you see me at Top Field with my family!

MAXINE

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Hitchin Town FC warmly welcome Maxine Howarth as new Top Field chaplain