St. Mary Magdalene Westoning

LATEST NEWS

Weekly Update for Candlemas (1 February 2026)

This Sunday is Candlemas or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. It's the Sunday where Simeon and Anna recognise Jesus for who He is - the Messiah. It's also the Sunday which marks the turning point for us from the crib - and Jesus' birth - to His passion, death and resurrection - in short our thoughts are towards Lent and Easter. Watch out over the coming weeks for details of the Lent course which is to be held in the benefice. For this week - please note the services and groups taking place and please do come along if you are able. A special note of the Monthly prayer group at St Mary Magdalene on Wednesday at 7:30pm.

Weekly Update for the Conversion of St Paul (25 January 2026)

Here you'll find all the activities going on in the benefice this week - do please take a look. This week, the service in Harlington is at the Methodist Church as we celebrate the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. We'll be joined by our friends from Life Church and the Methodist Church.

CALENDAR

Tuesday 3rd February

10:00am - 12:00pm -

Westcaf @ the Village Hall

1:00pm - 3:30pm -

Craft and Sewing Bee @ the Village Hall

1:30pm - 3:00pm -

Little Stars in the back room @ the Village Hall

Wednesday 4th February

7:30pm - 8:30pm -

60 Minutes with God

Friday 6th February

2:00pm - 3:00pm -

World Day of Prayer

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