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BANNER UkraineUkraine

Information about how you can offer support to our Ukrainian friends


One year on...

Friday 24 February 2023 marked the first anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A candlelit vigil was held at County Hall, with Rev. Alan Stewart leading the prayers. 

"The candlelit vigil and prayers show our support to Ukrainian families who have found refuge in Hertfordshire after fleeing their country and that they are a welcome and valued part of our community." County council chairman Cllr Annie Brewster


Home

This powerful video was recorded at the Sanctuary Foundation's World Refugee Day event in Trafalgar Square last year, with the award-winning actor Jonathan Pryce reading the poem 'Home' by Warsan Shire:


 

St Andrew's Welcome


For ten months up until the end of February 2023, we hosted a weekly afternoon Tea Club at St Andrew's for those who had arrived from Ukraine. We welcomed families and also people hosting guests from Ukraine. 

Project coordinator Chris Seward said: "It was a very positive response to a particular need. We have all been affected by the grace and gratitude of the Ukrainians who appreciated the wonderful cakes and refreshments as well as the opportunity to meet their compatriots and establish links and friendships which have sustained them through recent months." 

Our thanks go to all those who volunteered to prepare refreshments and host our guests each week in the church. Tea Club volunteers and attendees reflect:
  • It has been "a cornerstone in giving our Ukrainian community a place to network and build friendships... the fact that there is no longer a need is testament to its success."
  • My guest "really appreciated her visits... especially the cakes."
  • "It's been a lovely way for my guest to meet new people... thank you."
  • "Such generosity sustained over ten months..."

Hertfood Collections

Items are needed by those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Please donate at Manic Ceramics (22 Port Vale, SG14 3AB) 10.00am-5.00pm, Tues-Sat. Financial contributions help to purchase supplies and transport goods to those in need. For more information, please contact: aid4ukr2022@outlook.com 

Hertfood for Ukraine 180722
 

Hertfood Community Organisation - Facebook page 


Ukrainian Institute London

There is lots of information available from the Ukrainian Institute in London:
Humanitarian donations - Physical donations - Helping refugees - Helping animals - Volunteering - and much more

Most charities are asking now for financial donations rather than items, as it is a quicker and more efficient way of getting what is needed to where it is needed. You may wish to donate to one of these charities:
 

dec-logo-red




DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

A joint fundraising appeal organised by 15 UK charities:
https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal


The British Red Cross


Worldwide humanitarian charity: https://www.redcross.org.uk/



Unicef

Children's charity: https://www.unicef.org.uk/
 



Pray Candle

Say a prayer. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't matter if you don't have the words; close your eyes and focus your thoughts. You may like to light a candle and read this Prayer for Peace from the Church of England.

Glenys
Hello and welcome to St Andrew's. If you are new, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

No one belongs here more than you.

We look forward to meeting you! Here's some information so that if you're planning a visit you know beforehand what to expect on a Sunday morning.  We have other pages telling you more About Us, our approach to Faith and our Online services.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details below) for our main Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you find a parking space and can settle in before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Plan your journey:
While, unfortunately, St Andrew's does not have its own carpark, there is a council-run pay and display carpark a short distance along St Andrew Street, to the east of the church; there is a £1.50 flat-rate charge for parking in this carpark on Sundays (though half an hour or less is free).

This is a useful East Herts Council website page for full details of parking in Hertford.

There are single yellow lines outside the church with parking restrictions, but some 30-minute parking bays are situated on the opposite side of the road for short stays (longer on Sundays).

Open Google Maps

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet towards the back of the church, behind the kitchen.

Our Service

The service will usually begin promptly at 10.30am and will last between 60 and 75 minutes. We enjoy the presence of an excellent choir who help us sing hymns (modern and traditional) as well as provide anthems and special songs through the period of communion. We have a traditional organ but also benefit from music played on the piano and by our band (eg on the Second Sunday of each month when we have an All-Age Service in which our children and young people are fully involved).

Each 10.30am service includes a sermon, prayers and eucharist.

After the service, everyone is invited for coffee and conversation - some like to stay for a quick chat while others remain in the church for a longer time.

Communion

Children and Young People

Children are never too young to come to church. You and your children are very welcome at St Andrew’s. 

We really value worshipping God together as a family, so children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service before being invited to leave for the young people's activities after the first hymn. Junior Church meets in the St Andrew's Centre (our adjoining hall), accessed through the church on Sunday mornings. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy.

The children and young people then return to the main service in time to join the eucharist and, if confirmed, take Holy Communion or, if not, receive a blessing. We offer a grape or a little box of raisins to children being blessed at the altar.

There is a Children's Corner in church where you can go at any time. You will find books, toys and drawing materials there.

Toilet and baby-change facilities are located at the back of church, behind the kitchen.

There's lots more information here: Children and Young People at St Andrew's

Junior Church celebration

Getting Connected


Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week. Check out Home Groups on our website and see if there’s one that you could join. Alternatively, speak to a member of the Welcome Team who will give you the information that you need.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. Please contact Phil in the Church Office.

Get in touch with us
If you have any questions, please do get in touch. You'll find our contact details here.

We hope that you will feel at home at our church.