News
CTHH Holds Refresh Event
Posted: Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead held a Refresh Event for leaders on Thursday, 19 May 2011, looking at ways in which all the churches in Hemel Hempstead can work together more effectively. The event was well attended and generated a lot of feedback and much food for thought. A second Refresh Event will take place tomorrow, Thursday to build on the momentum created from the first event.
Archived News Articles
Parliamentary Candidates Hold Public Debate
Posted: Friday, 30 April 2010
Ayfer Orhan (Labour), Dr Richard Grayson (Liberal Democrat) & Mike Penning (Conservative) with Anthony Styles (Chairman of West Herts Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society) before a public debate at a hustings meeting sponsored by Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead.
The three main parliamentary candidates for the constituency of Hemel Hempstead locked horns on Thursday in the usually-more-sedate environment of St John the Evangelist Boxmoor Parish Church at a hustings meeting sponsored by Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead. Discussing questions proposed in advance by audience members were Ayfer Orhan (Labour), Mike Penning (Conservative) & Dr Richard Grayson (Liberal Democrat).
The evening was recorded as a podcast & is available for download at the Churches Together website at http://www.hemelchurches.org.uk/.
Questions raised by the audience of around 200 constituents were as follows:
Who is going to open our A&E department and maternity unit - in fact the whole hospital - for the local people? Will it be the first and foremost priority?
Will the freedom for independent bodies to set up new Academy schools be to the detriment of existing schools whose numbers will fall?
It is of concern that the current government has not taken up the recommendations on the long-term care of elderly people and has stalled on its own proposals. If elected, how would you ensure that the needs of elderly people are met - financially and socially?
£68 billion of government savings equates to around one million jobs, based on around £68,000 per job (£34,000 salary & 100% overheads). Is this a fair understanding and if so how can this number of jobs be lost without impacting every frontline service? Wouldn't a fairer solution than cutting jobs be to put up taxes, starting with income tax at least back to the 22p it was at until fairly recently?
How do you think the British government should react to the Israeli building of settlements on occupied Palestinian land?
Should it be a crime to say that homosexuality is sinful?
Whether your party has control of Parliament or not, what will be your three main personal objectives for Hemel Hempstead over the next four years?
LISTEN NOW TO AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THE HUSTINGS DEBATE.
The full list of candidates standing for the Hemel Hempstead constituency in the election are as follows:
David James Alexander - UK Independence Party
Dr Richard Grayson - Liberal Democrats
Ayfer Orhan - The Labour Party
Mike Penning - The Conservative Party
Janet Dorothy Price - British National Party
Mick Young - Independent
Christian Aid Organiser Honoured
Posted: Friday, 22 January 2009
Jean Garner (Centre) being presented with a framed long service testimonial certificate by Christian Aid worker Catherine Loy, and a bouquet of flowers from Chris Jones treasurer of Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead.
Mrs Jean Garner of Boxmoor has finally stood down as town organiser for Christian Aid collection in Hemel after 35 years of faithful and successful service. She took over the role in 1975 and during that time over £250,000 has been collected in Hemel and given to overseas development work and disaster relief.
A special buffet evening was arranged to mark this event at St Mary's Church Old Town where many of Jean's friends and helpers gathered to thank her and wish her well.
Catherine Loy from CA Oxford came and gave a talk on the difference CA work is making around the world including in Haiti. She especially spoke of people in Burkina Faso whose lives have changed for the better following CA support there.
Christian Aid week will be 9-15th May this year. If anyone would like to help with the street collection or help with the organising of the week would they please contact Rev Stephen Wood, Chair of Churches Together in Hemel. (T 256433)
St George's opens new extension
Posted: Monday, 16 March 2009
Cllr Mrs Carol Green, the Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum, cut a ribbon to open a new purpose-built extension to St George's URC Church at an open day on Saturday (14th March).
A service to dedicate the building for the work of the church was held to mark the occasion.
Vicar Retires
Posted: Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Rev Peter Cotton, Rector of St Mary's Church and Rural Dean of Hemel Hempstead, retired on 29 January 2009 after 12 years of active service in the town, including serving as Chairman of Churches Together.
Peter & his wife Liz plan to return to Hampshire where Peter is looking forward to doing some gardening & bird-watching.
Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead wishes him God's very best for this new season of life.
Church Moves Location
Posted: Saturday, 06 December 2008
New Church Hemel will begin meeting at Galley Hill Primary School from Sunday (7th). A special opening service will be held at 10.30am at the school to mark the occasion of the church opening its doors to the wider community.
Council Consults on Development Plan
Posted: Monday, 24 November 2008
CTHH have been invited to play their part in the Dacorum Site development plan consultation. Proposals were recently featured on the front page of the Hemel Gazette on Wednesday 19th November 2008. Plans include 17,000 new homes and new possible sites for gypsies and travellers.
Plans can be viewed and questions questions put forward by visiting www.dacorum.gov.uk/planning or by calling 01442 228660. Responses must be made by 15th December.
If anyone feels that CTHH should make a group response please contact Stephen Wood. Thank you.
Mustard Seed closes. Thanksgiving service held
Posted: Tuesday, 30 September 2008
A service of Thanksgiving was held at St Mary's Church on Tuesday (30th September) as the Mustard Seed closed its doors for the last time, after eight and a half years of Christian presence in the town.
It was with a mixture of real sadness and yet a profound sense of gratitude that many past customers, volunteers, staff & trustees gathered to remember all the hard work that went into making the Mustard Seed a blessing for the community for so many years despite changing market conditions.
The service was attended by the Rev Peter Cotton, Dean of Hemel Hempstead, who opened proceedings with warm recollections of the Christian bookshop as his literal neighbour in the town.
Although the Mustard Seed will be missed, Andrew Liversidge, one of the former trustees, gave a hope-filled encouragement as he shared that as one seed falls to the ground so new life springs up in new ways.
New Horizons Celebrates 10 Years
Posted: Saturday, 20 September 2008
New Horizons Christian Fellowship celebrated ten years of service & worship in the community of Hemel Hempstead on Sunday, 14 September 2008 with a special day of celebration including food, fun & entertainment throughout the day! They were joined by Baroness Caroline Cox who in a keynote address spoke on the theme of 'Social Justice in a World of Trouble.'
Congratulations to all at New Horizons on reaching their key milestone.