Our first step to appointing a new incumbent here at St Lawrence Church has been completed by our PCC (Parochial Church Council) in partnership with the Diocese of Sheffield. The Parish Profile, a document which outlines what we are looking for and the particulars of the role here in Hatfield, was approved by the PCC at their February 2024 meeting.
Those interested can view the document below, or two physical copies are available to view at the back of church.
Dear Friend,
As we start the New Year, I wanted to update you on what has been going on in my position as Youth, Children’s and Families Worker at St Lawrence Church in Hatfield. I am now in my fifth year here in Hatfield and I am thankful that the PCC have continued to support me in this role by making Children and Young people one of the mission action plan priorities.
My plans for 2024 are to continue our weekly, fortnightly and monthly activities (Little Lions Toddler Group, Hatfield Heroes Youth Group, Pre-loved Uniform Bank and Cafe Church) whilst also doing outreach into local schools, holiday activities and one-off activities for our community. My big aim for this year is to increase the volunteer team and improve discipleship so that our activities are not as reliant on just me going forward. Here is a snapshot of what I got up to last year:
JANUARY – Breathe Deep Youth Event
We started the New Year by taking a group of 7 young people and 3 grown ups to the youth development day at Sheffield Cathedral, giving many of them a first experience of corporate worship with other young people.
FEBRUARY – Mental Health Prayer Spaces in school
We set up prayer spaces at Travis St Lawrence Primary School for child mental health week that the children could access during lunchtimes.
MARCH – Easter activities in schools
I took the Holy Week Chalk Prayer path out on the road to 4 local primary schools, as well as running Easter escape room workshops for Year 7 and 8 at Ash Hill Academy.
APRIL – Pet Palm Sunday (with a Donkey!)
To celebrate Palm Sunday we invited pets into church, with the exciting addition of a donkey joining us afterwards. Ethel the chicken was mostly well behaved….
MAY – Toilet Twinning Success
Our youth group finished fundraising to twin the toilet in the Barn with one in another country, the last one that needed to be twinned across all of our buildings.
JUNE – HOPE Doncaster Weekend
Our youth group joined with others across Doncaster to take on a weekend of social action in their local community, and were visited by Mayor Lee
JULY – Home Educators Morning
We hosted our first ever morning for home educated children and the grown ups, offering grave rubbing, church floorplan activities and the chance to explore our beautiful building.
AUGUST – Spies R Us Summer Club
We hosted a weeklong summer club for families where they learnt spy skills as well as bible stories. We ended with an inflatables afternoon inside church due to the rain!
SEPTEMBER – Launch of Café Church
We launched our brand new informal service that is accessible to all ages and incorporates different styles of worship.
OCTOBER – Jesus Christ Superstar Trip and Wild Away Day
We took the youth group to see Jesus Christ Superstar at Hull New Theatre and also a group of children to the Centenary Project’s wild away day at Kingswood where they did zip sliding and other activities.
NOVEMBER – Police Car Visit
Our friendly PCSO visited Little Lions Toddler Group and let them all sit inside his police car! The toddlers very much enjoyed pressing all the buttons and making the sirens go off.
DECEMBER – School Services for Christmas
Three of our local primary schools hosted Christmas concerts and services in church, with visits to two more schools made too. Over 3000 visitors to church for schools and family services in December.
As always, I would love most of all if you can pray for me and the work here in Hatfield. Our vision is to see the numbers of children and young people actively involved in church double, but to do this I need help. So please pray that volunteers increase and that we are able to disciple the people that God brings to us well. Please pray for God’s wisdom on which activities to pursue and which opportunities to pass by so that me and my team do not burn out.
If you would like to support me financially you can do so via the ways detailed below. To be able to continue in my post I need ongoing funding. A regular monthly donation is the best way to do this, and you can restrict your giving to be used towards my salary costs. One-off gifts are also appreciated and will help me be able to continue my ministry here at St Lawrence Church in Hatfield.
Thank you for your support
God Bless
Rachel Ridler
HOW TO GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Cheque: made payable to “St Lawrence Church”
Bank transfer or standing order: Please use the following details
Account Name: St Lawrence Hatfield PCC
Account Number: 31267655
Sort Code: 40-44-14
Reference: CPW
If you would like to give in another way then please contact rachel.ridler@centenaryproject.org.uk
It is with great joy that we are able to announce that Hatfield St Lawrence Church has been awarded Bronze Eco Church status in recognition of the work that we have done to care for God’s earth in many different categories. Huge thanks to the team, lead by Glenys Mashford and Chrissy Grindle, who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to keep Eco Church high on our agenda and in all our decisions as a church.
Here are some of the things that have been implemented to help us achieve this award:
If you would like to know more about Eco Church please visit A Rocha’s website, or speak to Glenys or Chrissy. They would welcome more members of the Eco Church team to work towards our Silver Award, and to encourage all members of our congregation and community to look after God’s creation.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our many Christmas Services and activities. Come to as many as you would like – you are sure to receive a warm welcome.
The only service that we ask you to book in advance for this year is our Christingle so that we know roughly how many Christingles to prepare. You can book online here:
On Sunday 10th September we held a celebration to service to thank Rev Liz for all that she has done for our church and community over the last 9 years as Priest-in-Charge. It was a service of joy, as she allowed other members of the ministry team to do various parts of the service, sharing some of her memories and offering communion to her congregation here in Hatfield for the final time.
Vernon Hoyle, our organist, has composed a special piece just for Rev Liz which was performed for the first time at the end of the service.
We then finished with sharing a brilliant spread of food together.
Rev Liz, her husband Philippe and their dog Max will be greatly missed, although they are stopping in Hatfield for a few extra months whilst they complete on their house move. Please pray for them in this season of transition and for their extended family.
We now enter a period of vacancy as our PCC completes the process required to find a new incumbent. This could take upwards of six months, so please pray for this process, for our new incumbent and for our teams who will be holding down the fort during that time. Viv and Vera, our churchwardens, will need plenty of help and support from us all.
Hatfield St Lawrence Church would like to invite you to join us for one of our many services, events and activities this advent and Christmas season. Please find details below, including any booking links (booking preferred but NOT ESSENTIAL – everyone is welcome at all of our services).
Friday 2nd December 5:30pm
A short family friendly time of singing carols together, followed by the switch on of our Tower Christmas lights. We are then invited to head down to Hatfield Community Library for mulled wine afterwards.
Saturday 3rd December 11-3pm
Sunday 4th December 10am
Join us for our family friendly all-age service. Messy Church will be celebrating Christmas by learning more about ASTRONOMERS – the wise men in the Christmas Story. There will be crafts, stories and songs. Everyone welcome, no booking necessary.
Sunday 11th December 4pm
Our traditional family friendly Christingle service where we celebrate Jesus as light of the world. Booking preferred but not essential – it will help us know how many oranges to buy! Book here
Saturday 17th December 2-4pm
Our local school children will be contributing to a special art installation this Christmas entitled “Angels and Stars” where we will be creating a net ceiling from which will hang hundreds of angels and stars. The church will be open from 2-4pm for visitors to view it. Drop in anytime.
Sunday 18th December 6:30pm
Our traditional Christmas Carol Service where we will be accompanied by our oragnist – Vernon Hoyle. Booking is preferred but not essential – it will help us to know how many mince pies to buy! Book here.
Monday 19th December 10-2pm
Would your child like the opportunity to learn some fun new Christmas songs to perform at our Christmas Eve 5pm Service? If so, book them on to our Noisy Children’s Choir Workshop Day (and enjoy a child-free day of Christmas shopping!). Places are £5 per child to cover snacks and activities. Places are limited so book early. BOOK HERE.
Thursday 22nd December 10-2pm
From gingerbread to mince pies – Christmas food is just the best. So pop down to church the Thursday before Christmas to make some fun edible crafts. A great way to keep the children occupied in the week off before the big day.
Saturday 24th December 3:30pm or 5pm
Join us for our Christmas Eve service complete with children retelling the Christmas Story. Narrated by our Hatfield Heroes Youth Group, you are invited to come dressed up as your favourite nativity character. Booking preferred so we know how many extra chairs to put out.
Our 3:30pm is a toddler friendly early bird service – book here.
Our 5pm service is for all ages – book here.
Saturday 24th December 11:15pm
A traditional Holy Communion Service where we bring in Christmas Day together.
Sunday 25th December 10am
A short service to celebrate Christmas morning together.
Easter is a time to reflect, pause and also to celebrate new life found in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This year we have lots of different activities taking place to help every member of our congregation, both young and old, to explore this more together.
Holy Week and Easter at St Lawrence Church, Hatfield
Palm Sunday – 10.4.22
10.00 Celebration Service for all ages! Will there be a donkey? Watch this space!
18.30 Palm Sunday Holy Communion Service
Monday 11.4.22
13:00-15:00 Noisy Children’s Choir Workshop.
Book your free place for your child here. They will be performing the song they learn at the Easter Sunday Service.
Tuesday 12.4.22
10:00 – Chalk Prayer Path open around the outside of church
11:00-13:00 – Pop up Pre-loved Uniform Bank stall outside church (inside if weather is bad)
18.00 – 20.00 “Time to pause and be still”
An unstructured evening of peace and quiet in our beautiful church building for personal reflection with prayer stations, art work, tea, coffee and people on hand to talk to if you wish….. Come for a few minutes or for the full evening and use this time and space for your personal refreshment.
Wednesday 13.4.22
Chalk Holy Week Prayer Path open all day
10.00 Holy Communion followed by drop in open church until 12.30
Maundy Thursday 14.4.22
13:00-15:00 – Easter Family Quiz and Bingo afternoon
19.00 Maundy Thursday service with Communion, followed by hot cross buns and drinks
Good Friday 15.4.22
09:00-10:00 – Hot Cross Bun Brunch
10:00-13:00 – Free Easter Crafts in Church – drop in anytime
14.00 – 15.30 “Journey to the cross” with reflections, songs, time to be quiet
Stay as long as you like.
Easter Sunday 17.4.22
5.00? (keep an eye on our Facebook page for the exact as this is done as dawn breaks!
Lighting of the Easter Fire on Zoom! Short service
10.00 Easter Celebration with Communion – suitable for all ages. Bring a few flowers to decorate our Easter Cross
18.30 Easter Songs of Praise with Communion.
There is lots planned at St Lawrence Church to celebrate Christmas 2021 back in person. We are, however, being very cautious and asking that adults wear facemasks to our services and that spaces need to be pre-booked for our most popular events and services.
For all the booking links and more information about each service/activity see below:
Join us at 5:30pm on Friday 3rd December for carols in the church as we switch on the Tower Christmas Lights. You are then invited to join us at Hatfield Library for festive refreshments afterwards. (No booking necessary)
On Saturday 4th December you can pop in to have some FREE crafting fun with Rachel and the Children’s Team. Not only will we be emptying the cupboards and using up any Christmas craft materials we have, but we’ll also be building a “RECYCLED NATIVITY” from things that would have been thrown away. Bring your own recycling or just come and witness the fun. No booking necessary. Donations welcome and a tombola will take place on this day too.
Our family friendly, all ages Messy Church service will be celebrating Christmas on Sunday 5th December at 10am in church. Messy Church involves crafts, stories and songs suitable for everyone to engage in, and this month will be gingerbread themed!
No booking necessary, but if you don’t normally come do let us know to expect you by emailing rachel.ridler@centenaryproject.org.uk
If you love Christingle as much as we do, then make sure you get booked on for one of our two services this year. Places are free but numbers will be limited for safety, so book early to save your space:
SERVICE 1 – Sunday 12th December at 4pm
SERVICE 2 – Saturday 18th December at 6:30pm
Our traditional Carol Services featuring 9 lessons and carols will take place twice to accommodate more people safely. Adults are asked to wear facemasks and numbers are limited at each service for safety, so please book your free space now:
Service 1 – Sunday 19th December at 6:30pm
Service 2 – Wednesday 22nd December at 7pm
Our very popular Christmas Eve Service for children and families is returning this year. Narrators (from our Hatfield Heroes Youth Group) will retell the Christmas story for all to take part in. Come dressed up as your favourite Nativity Character ready to join in, and bring a torch for a torch lit carol! Adults are asked to wear facemasks and numbers are limited for safety. Book your free spaces here:
Service 1 – 3:30pm (ideal for those with babies and toddlers)
Midnight Communion – 23:15 on Friday 24th December
Christmas Day Communion – 10:00 Saturday 25th December
Noisy Children’s Choir Christmas Workshop
Monday 20th December
10-2pm in church
£5 per child (plus option to purchase hoody)
For those who have been struggling to access our Easter Trail using the what3words app, here are the locations of our Easter eggs around Hatfield. Please follow them in order:
1. Church door
2. 60 Station Road (by the plant trolley -telegraph pole)
3. 72 Station Road (corner of pudding and dip lane -driveway gate)
4. 115 Ash Hill Crescent (lamppost)
5. 81 Ash Hill Crescent (driveway gate)
6. 2 Brokenhurst Road (side driveway gate on ash Hill Crescent)
7. 26 Manor Road (driveway gate)
8. Coffee at No 4’s (window)
9. 2 Vicarage Close (driveway gate)
10. The Barn
As we face another lockdown, we are pleased to be able to announce that we will be launching some new virtual activities for children and families to provide support in our local area.
Messy Church will continue via our Facebook Group and with postal packs. If you would like to sign up to this please send your postal address to rachel.ridler@centenaryproject.org.uk
Join Rachel and her two boys for an interactive after-school club for primary aged children. We will have a lego themed game, a bible story and a lego building challenge every week.
Tuesdays on Zoom at 4-4:45pm
Struggling to keep the kids engaged? Then why not borrow something from our toy library. Ideal for toddlers and young children. You can borrow a toy for 2 weeks, and at the moment they will be delivered to your door whilst we are in lockdown. Deliveries will be made on the following dates and you will need to reserve by 7pm the day before using the eventbrite links below:
Thursday 18th Feb
Thursdays is going to be our Little Lions Day with activities aimed at babies, toddlers and their families. We had hoped to launch these in person in January, but we’ll make a start online and transition to in person when we feel the timing is right.
1-1:45pm Bumps and Babes – bring your cuppa for a chat with other mums, finishing with some fun songs together (you can be on mute!)
2-2:45pm Toddlers and Over 1’s – join us for a short time with a story, songs and play idea each week.
Sign up here to be sent the Zoom Codes
Please read our Zoom Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct here before taking part in these meetings.
Hatfield St Lawrence Church