A Letter From Our Vicar

You may have thought I had written my last letter in the September edition but these really are my final words as Vicar in the Preston Newsletter. I will no longer be around in the parish in October but I … Read More

As I write the very hot weather has subsided, we have enjoyed some rain and the more usual summer temperatures are with us. Quite a relief!  But I’m sure that farmers and gardeners are very concerned and I understand that … Read More

I have been looking back over the letters I wrote in last summer’s Newsletters and found my opening words for July 2017: As I write, the general election is only a week away and the story dominating the front pages … Read More

I am writing this two or three days late so that I can include some details of the two visits we have had this week from the Bishop of Hertford, Bishop Michael. He led our worship and preached on Sunday. … Read More

It is now two weeks since Easter and the weather looks like it might warm up later this week. It was lovely that many of you worshipped with us on Easter Day at St Martin’s and All Saints’ and the … Read More

We now have just one Soup Lunch and Lent Group left and it has been great to see so many joining us.  We are all very grateful to those who have hosted the lunches and the group meetings. We have … Read More

I am writing this on the day after Ash Wednesday. Yesterday we held the first Soup Lunch in Whitwell Village Hall followed by the first Lent Group. We had a good number for lunch including some children who enjoyed the … Read More

My January letter was, of course, written before Christmas itself and before most of the Christmas services. It was good to see so many of you at All Saints’ and St Martin’s and I am delighted to let you know … Read More

In church we have had an unusual start to Advent this year. On Advent Sunday we held a joint service with St Martin’s as it was the first Sunday of the month and the following weekend the snow came. So I wasn’t able to get any further than the centre of Hitchin on Sunday morning. But those who managed to get to church sorted out an appropriate service for themselves. Morning Prayer with unaccompanied hymns including the Advent Candle ceremony happened at St Martin’s and at All Saints’ Peter Liddell was present so there was a communion service and there were hymns with piano accompaniment rather than organ. Peter, our organist, lives in Letchworth too. I was delighted to receive emails about these services during the afternoon; I had returned home, with some difficulty, and my worship was thanks to BBC Radio IPlayer.… Read More

Advent, as a church season, begins on Sunday 3 December this year and it is almost a week shorter this year. So we have less time to prepare for Christmas, less time for sorting out community Christmas trees and fitting in Carol Services. On Advent Sunday the lights will be switched on the Christmas tree outside the Red Lion on 3 December.… Read More