St. Mary Magdalene Westoning

LATEST NEWS

Weekly Update for the second Sunday before Advent (16 November 2025)

As the end of the church year draws near (next Sunday is the final Sunday of the church's year and is called Christ the King. This week, we have our usual Sunday service at 11:00 where we will be celebrating Holy Communion. Do come along where you will receive a warm welcome! The events for the week are also on the website - do please take a look and come along to support any of the events you feel you may enjoy. Don't forget, if you can't get to our Sunday communion, we do have a midweek at St Mary's Harlington beginning at 10 o'clock on Wednesdays. Look out for a card through your door (if you live in Westoning) which will detail all the services happening in the run up to and over Christmas.

Weekly Update for Remembrance Sunday (9 November 2025)

As this week is Remembrance Sunday, some of our services are slightly different. At Harlington, the Act of Remembrance begins at the war memorial at the crossroads, assembling from 10:40 when the procession moves off from Harlington Lower School. At 11:00am the two minutes silence is observed followed by the laying of wreaths and then an invitation into church for a shortened act of worship. At Westoning, we begin in church at 10:50am with the reading of names and the two minute silence and then a service of Holy Communion. We gather at the War Memorial by Westoning Lower School at 12:30pm for an act of remembrance with the laying of wreaths by the community. Next weekend we have the Craft Fayre at Westoning Village Hall - please do come along and support the independent traders who have items for sale. Tea, coffee and cake as always are on offer! There are a number of opportunities to show generosity through various collections taking place - these are detailed on the sheet - please do consider if you are able to assist.

CALENDAR

Friday 21st November

2:00pm - 3:00pm -

Friday Fellowship

Sunday 23rd November

11:00am - 12:00pm -

All Age service

Tuesday 25th November

10:00am - 12:00pm -

Westcaf at the Village Hall

1:00pm - 3:30pm -

Craft and Sewing Bee at Westoning Village Hall

1:30pm - 2:45pm -

Little Stars (baby/toddler) meets @ the Village Hall)

Friday 28th November

2:00pm - 3:00pm -

Friday Fellowship

ST MARY MAGDALENE WESTONING SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

St Mary Magdalene Westoning is proud to be a part of the Church of England in the Diocese of St. Albans, who’s Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and leaders are absolutely committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.

Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play.

The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

Although safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone here at St Mary Magdalene; Jane Steer is our designated Safeguarding Lead and can be contacted about any safeguarding matter on 07800862124 or email jmsteer.jms@gmail.com

You can also speak to our priest-in-charge: Father Mark Edwards on 07305822186 or email revmarkedwards@outlook.com

Two very useful links:

More information on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding can be found here: www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding

More information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding

The diocesan safeguarding advisor contact details are:

Jez Hirst Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

Diocese of St Albans, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE 01727 818107 | 07867 350886 | safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org

Central Bedfordshire Social Services can be contacted on 03003008303