Issue 23 | Summer 2026 | www.stalbansdiocese.org
Archdeacons’ Visitation News we commend them to you. Please do be in touch with any of the Teams with questions or enquiries as you plan and develop ideas to encourage and enable the worship and work of God in your communities.
Thank you Welcome to the new look Archdeacons’ Visitation News containing even more local news and articles written by members of our Diocesan team to support our Churchwardens in their role. We offer our thanks for the generous sponsorship of this publication by Ecclesiastical Insurance and for its ongoing support of our church life in so many ways across the Diocese. For the Archdeacons this publication provides another opportunity for us to publicly thank our Churchwardens and all who support them with their work in our parishes and benefices in all parts of the Diocese. This faithful service of God in our churches and local communities undertaken week by week supports our mission and ministry across the Diocese. So whether you are a newly elected Churchwarden or you are returning to serve again in this role, we thank you for your commitment and ministry, your partnership with us and your support of us as we seek together to bring the Good News of the love of Christ to those around us. Please do continue to pray for us as we pray for you. In all our work, whatever our role, we are supported by our dedicated team of Diocesan Officers and staff and we thank them for their contribution to our work. This includes providing articles for this publication to support the work that you and others are doing or planning for in your parish or benefice and
In the past year we have seen the retirement of both Lynne Griffiths and Shirley Lee as PAs in our offices. We thank them for their work and service over many years. This means that we have welcomed two new colleagues - Kate Casey is working as PA with Archdeacon Janet and Natalia Deas is working as PA with Archdeacon Charles. Alongside Tricia Reed, working as PA with Archdeacon Dave, they too are always ready to offer support and advice. The Diocesan website also provides a wealth of information. At the time of writing this article, we are still waiting and praying for an announcement of a new Bishop of St Albans. By the time you are reading this article it is likely that this announcement will have been made and we will know who the person is that God has called to lead us. In the uncertain world in which we are living, we are blessed by the steadfast love of God sustaining and supporting us day by day. As we encounter those seeking meaning in their lives, we give thanks that our churches and communities are able to offer that welcome to those we serve. Thank you for your ministry and service.
Ven Janet Mackenzie The Archdeacon of Hertford
Ven Dave Middlebrook The Archdeacon of Bedford
Ven Charles Hudson The Archdeacon of St Albans