
Away Day 2026: 'Belonging'
Sunday 10 May, 9.20am - 4.00pm, at All Nations College, Ware
-
Worship, workshops, free time
-
Activities for young people
-
Beautiful surroundings
-
Two-course lunch
-
Newcomers especially welcome

We are looking forward to our Away Day, when members of St Andrew’s and St Mary’s churches can come together for a wonderful day of worship and fellowship back at the beautiful and very accessible (including wheelchair access) All Nations College venue (more details about All Nations below).
* * The deadline for bookings has now passed and all the places have been allocated. If you're unable to attend this year, we hope that you'll come to our Away Day in 2027! * *

PROGRAMME
The day will start with coffee and then a short introductory all-age session with worship, followed by some deeper reflection for the adults through belonging-themed workshops and separate activities for the children and young people. We will then share a hot lunch, have some free time to chat, play, read, relax or walk around the lovely college grounds. We will conclude with an all-ages Eucharist. The day will end at approximately 4.00pm with time for a final drink and chat before heading home.
Timings for the day
Arrival 9.20am Please aim to arrive in good time for parking your car/bike, finding your way, grabbing a drink, having a chat, and getting to the hall for a prompt start. There is ample car parking.
10.00-10.10am Welcome and information for the day.
10.10-11.00am An all-age introduction to our theme of “Belonging” with reflection and discussion (Note: children will leave earlier for their activities)
11.00-11.30am Coffee
11.30am-12.45pm Workshops (see below)
1.00pm Lunch
1.30-3.00pm Free time, play outside, or join one of our themed drop-in activities (see below)
3.00pm All-Age Eucharist
4.00pm Tea, cake and departure
WORKSHOPS
The overall theme is 'Belonging' - here are the four workshops:
WORKSHOP 1
Theme: “Nobody belongs here more than you”
Type of workshop: opportunity to share experiences and discuss ideas.
This is the strapline for both St Andrew’s and St Mary’s churches. So, we will be exploring questions such as:
· What helps you feel you belong?
· What makes some people think they don’t belong in a church?
· What can we do to remove the barriers to belonging?
Suitable for adults
Convenors: Kath Oates and Nick Hoyle
WORKSHOP 2
Theme: Home
Type of workshop: Mediative and thought provoking with opportunity for input and discussion.
Within this workshop we will be considering what makes us feel at home and what that means as we embark on our Christian pilgrimage throughout life.
What to bring: Your favourite copy of the Bible and a pen, if you can
Suitable for adults and older teenagers
Convenors: Juliet and Alastair Curry
WORKSHOP 3
Theme: Playing your part in God’s family
Type of workshop: Drama. This will be an action activity with lots of fun along the way.
An opportunity to explore what it means to belong though games, warm-up exercises, improvisation and the acting of scenes from the Bible. We hope to have, by the end of the workshop, a deeper understanding of belonging through the joy of bringing Biblical stories to life.
Suitable for adults and children over the age of 12
Convenors: Jules and Mick Donovan
WORKSHOP 4
Theme: Can prayer unite?
Type of workshop: Creative exploration of senses to help us pray.
In this workshop we will be asking questions such as: how can prayer unite us, can it break down barriers and help us forgive? We will explore creative ways to pray using our senses and objects that remind us of belonging.
Suitable for adults and teenagers
Convenors: Alan Stewart and Jane Chaplin
PLUS 1.30-3.00pm: Afternoon activities
-
Join Julie Hollings and Chrissy Barclay to make your part of a string of bunting to depict your interpretation of belonging.
-
Visit Kath Oates on her discussion table in the Windsor room.
-
Follow the short prayer route which includes thoughts and reflections on belong and the natural world to coincide with the Hertford Eco-Fest day (weather permitting).
-
Join the children playing a bat and ball game (or cheer them on) - weather permitting.
-
Or just - sit, chat, make new friends in the lounge.
The choice is yours!
Please note that there won’t be a 9.15am service at St Mary’s or a 10.30am service at St Andrew’s or on Zoom that day. There will be a short 8.00am service at St Andrew’s.

Covid:
If you are testing positive for Covid, please don't attend the Away Day - get in touch with us and let us know that you're unable to be there. If you have been in contact with someone else who has tested positive for Covid, please seek advice from us before the day. Thank you.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please speak to Jenny or Melanie or email:
awayday.hertfordstandrews@gmail.com
A DAY AT ALL NATIONS
We are returning to the beautiful venue of All Nations College, Easneye, Ware. Just a short journey from Hertford, we will experience a building that dates back to 1869, since when it has maintained a consistent Christian presence. In 1979, it took on its present name and is now one of Europe’s largest centres for ministry and missionary training. It is also a regular venue for conferences, with most rooms, including toilets and communal areas, having wheelchair access. More information about the college can be found here: https://www.allnations.ac.uk/