Second Sunday Services at St Lawrence Abbots Langley
These services have been going for about 20 years at St. Lawrence, Abbots Langley. They used to be called Family Services. There are no set rules, but we do try to include most elements of worship every time.
Each one is different, but we usually include a welcome to families who have had a baby baptised during the month since the last one.
Services are devised by teams of three or four people who start literally with blank sheet. So far more than 40 people have been involved. Each service lasts 45 minutes and we have a Junior Choir to help lead the singing and to contribute an anthem. Children often come to front and play a part, but sometimes they do their own thing in the hall and come into the church later to tell us all about it. There may be a play, and we have included a musical, and there is always lots of audience participation.
On Remembrance Sunday the theme was ‘Fightin’ and Feudin’’ and a local artist contributed some drawings which showed how easily nice, ordinary peaceful families can develop feuds.
During Fairtrade Fortnight there was a four part playlet. It began with five adults behaving as children complaining ‘That s not fair!’ when they heard about starving children in Namibia. There was then a summit conference where the possibility of helping them was discussed; the next part moved us to the children’s village in Nambidia; finally, Fairtrade met with the family from village to work out strategies so they could help themselves.
These services are well attended by people of all ages. Sometimes Communion is included,
though usually not, but there’s always fun, enjoyment, worship, reflection, prayer
and fellowship -
More details through the website: www.abbotslangley.org.uk
Messy Church in Abbots Langley
Messy Church started last May. It's a joint activity between the Methodist and Anglican
churches in Abbots Langley, but it is open to absolutely anyone, and helpers come
from both churches. It happens once a month, on the second Wednesday afternoon from
3.30 to 6.00.
The Methodist Church is ideal for this kind of activity. It is a combined Church
and Hall building with all the necessary facilities. Margaret Davis, the Curate
at St Lawrence Church and Gill Hulme, the Methodist Minister, are involved and organise
the story time and the worship.
The whole thing is based it very clearly on Lucy Moore’s book 'Messy Church'. To begin with ideas from the book and from the Messy Church website were used but, as confidence is gained, the organisers are starting to develop ideas of their own.
Between 12 and 15 families come regularly and between 40 and 50 people are fed. Some
families include very small babies and two teenagers come simply because they love
look after them!
Messy Church began with just £50 from each church. Then both ASDA and Marks & Spencer, where one of the helpers had a contact, offered some sponsorship. Now donations from those who come ensure that the whole enterprise is self financing.
On a typical Messy Church day people start to get together over tea and coffee any
time from 3.30 to 4 o’clock according to their school run. Then from 4 to 5 there
is a Bible based story and related messy activities. This is followed by Family
orientated worship and songs until 5.20 when supper is served. Everyone goes home
at 6 o’clock.
More info can be found on the two church websites: various groups/children on www.abbotslangley.org.uk and www.abbotslangleymethodist.org.uk
