News
Interviews for new Bishop of St Albans
Bishop Alan Smith retired as Bishop of St Albans at the end of May 2025. The interviews for the next Bishop will be held on 20-21 January. We invite you to join us in praying for those being interviewed and those involved in the process, for discernment, clarity and for God’s guidance in all.
Generous God, we pray for our Diocese of St Albans.
As we continue this journey of discernment for our new bishop, bless all involved with wisdom and grace.
Be with those being interviewed for this ministry, with those making decisions, and with all who lead and serve us at this time.
In this shared discernment, and always, draw us deeper into your love, that we may live it with joy and courage for your world.
In the name, and for the sake, of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Find out more about the process of appointing a new bishop for our diocese.
Meanwhile The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, the Bishop of Bedford celebrates 40 years in ministry. He reflects here.
Foodbank requests
St Mary's has been involved with Dunstable Foodbank for many years. The first Sunday of the month is our usual collection day in church.
This month they are particularly asking for tinned solid meats, tinned fruit, long life fruit juice in cartons, tinned meat in sauce, tinned veg, savoury treats such as crackers and savoury snacks.
Christmas Puzzle 2025
CARNIVAL 2025
The Carnival Committee is now in the process of distributing the monies raised this year - their proposal having been agreed by the PCC in October. A total of £12,000 having been raised, the St Mary's Fabric Fund will benefit by £6000 whilst £3000 will be paid to College Lake Nature Reserve at Tring (The Bucks,Berks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) the principal charity for this year. The remaining £3000 was then divided between a total of 17 local organisations, charities, schools and parish councils.
All that remains is to thank everyone once again for all your support. Chris Banks
MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING
Sheila Banks, on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support would like to thank everyone who supported the coffee morning on 26th Sept 2025 in any way. It was a tremendous success and all donations of cakes, savouries, raffle prizes and money were much appreciated. A grand total of £1,050 cash and £65 in card payments was raised. Thanks also to all the willing helpers.
Talking Point - Artificial Intelligence
The North Chilterns group presented ‘Talking Point’ on the subject of Artificial Intelligence on 22nd October at St Mary’s Eaton Bray.
We were expertly guided by our speaker, the Revd Canon Dr Tim Bull. Tim is currently an Anglican Priest serving at St Albans Cathedral and as the diocesan director of ordinands for the diocese of St Albans. He has previously been a member of the Lee Abbey Community in Devon, and a vicar for 10 years in the Chelmsford diocese.
Prior to ordination, Tim gained a PhD from Durham University in software engineering. He worked as a chartered software engineer, and a university lecturer in computer science. Tim is a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists and a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. His interests include faith responses to fake news and disinformation, and the interface between theology and Artificial Intelligence – a topic on which he has spoken widely. He is a founder member of the AI Christian Partnership.
There was a great turnout from the North Chilterns churches, with an interested, engaged, and concerned audience.
For more information see the AI Christian Partnership - https://aichristian.org/
New Safeguarding Officer
We welcome Elisabeth Jones as the new Parish Safeguarding Officer. Elisabeth has been associated with St Mary’s in various capacities for many years. She currently serves on the PCC and is instrumental in organising and serving the delicious coffee and croissants for café church
Elisabeth’s contact information, along with other relevant safeguarding information is posted in both porches. There is also a pink safeguarding binder in the book swap area at the back of the church should you require further safeguarding information.
We are very grateful for all the work carried out by Gaye Soule, the previous Parish Safeguarding Officer to ensure that St Mary’s is compliant with diocesan procedures.