Welcome
to our two churches, St John's, Markyate and St Leonard's, Flamstead.
We work together to share God's love with our communities.
We are inclusive churches:
we are all God's children, everyone is welcome here.
News from the churches
Regular service times:
8.00am Quiet Holy Communion at St Leonard's (first and third Sundays)
9.30am Sung Holy Communion at St John's, Markyate, with Rise and Shine for children
11.15am Sung Holy Communion at St Leonard's, Flamstead (Sunday School on first Sundays)
(Seekers' Holy Communion in each church on the first Sunday in the month)
Markyate Praise: Last Sunday in the month: 3.30pm at St John's, Markyate. Lots of singing; craft, flags and ribbons to wave for children; prayer and cake.
Midweek services:
Wednesday Holy Communion at 10.00am at St John's
Friday Holy Communion at 10.00am at St Leonard's
Evensong in St John's is usually the second Sunday in the month from October to June at 5pm.
Dates for your diary:
St Leonard's All Soul's Service, 'In Loving Memory' with St George's MusSoc will be at 12noon on Saturday 8th November. Please add names to the list on the table in St Leonard's.
Sunday 9th November is Remembrance Sunday. In Flamstead, please gather at the War Memorial for 10.45am, then join the service in church at about 11.15am. In Markyate, there's a service in St John's at 9.30, then procession down the High Street from the Fire Station, and a service at the War Memorial starting shortly before 11.00am.
Sunday 9th November 5pm Choral Evensong in St John's for Remembrance Sunday.
8th November 7:30pm: Opus 3 Piano Trio - our own Andy Massey expands his trio to offer a programme including Schubert’s ‘Trout Quintet’. Tickets from Anne-Francoise and Ticketsource.
30th November 6.30pm Evensong in St Leonard's with Beechwood Park School Choir.
6th December 2025 Seasonal Supper and Singalong St John's. Join us for a Christmas supper: singing Carols and Christmas songs accompanied by piano, ukuleles and kazoos. Christmas dinner in a bap. 6pm to 10pm. Ticket details to follow.
And save the date: 13th December for Charles Dickens' The Christmas Carol, performed by Clive Hayward. The last performance was a very popular success.
Advent and Christmas Services 2025
Everyone is welcome at all our services across the Benefice.
St John's
Friday 12th December 5pm: Christingle Service
Friday 19th December 6pm: Carols at the Fire Station (TBC)
Sunday 21st December 2.30pm: Blue Christmas drop in - a quiet space with time to pause and reflect
Sunday 21st December 5pm: Lessons and Carols with the St John's Evensong Choir
Wednesday 24th December 11am: Baby and Toddler Crib Service
Wednesday 24th December 2pm: Crib Service
Wednesday 24th December 11.30pm: Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December 10am: Christmas Morning Family Service
St Leonard's
Sunday 30th November 6.30pm: Advent Evensong with Beechwood Park School Choir
Wednesday 3rd December 6:30pm: New Ways to Pray: a reflective service of prayer drawing on the Nativity story
Wednesday 10th December 6:30pm: New Ways to Pray: a reflective service of prayer drawing on the Nativity story
Thursday 11th December 5pm: Christingle Service (TBC)
Wednesday 17th December 6:30pm: New Ways to Pray: a reflective service of prayer drawing on the Nativity story
Wednesday 24th December 11am: Baby and Toddler Crib Service
Wednesday 24th December 3.30pm: Crib Service
Wednesday 24th December 6pm: Lessons and Carols
Wednesday 24th December 11.30pm: Midnight Mass
Thursday 25th December 10am: Christmas Morning Family Service
Safeguarding
We take our responsibility for safeguarding very seriously.
Our parishes of St Leonard's, Flamstead and St John the Baptist, Markyate Street are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of St.Albans’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSOs.
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm in or relating to St Leonard's, please contact the PSO, Sam Davis flamsteadsafeguarding@gmail.com or Rev Jo Burke (fmvicar@gmail.com) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Jeremy Hirst on 01727 818107 or safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org. Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm and your local authority’s children social care (0300 123 4043) or adult social care services (0300 123 4042).
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm in or relating to St John's, please contact the PSO Jacky Gurney markyatesafeguarding@gmail.com or Rev Jo Burke (fmvicar@gmail.com) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Jeremy Hirst on 01727 818107 or safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org. Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm and your local authority’s children social care (0300 123 4043) or adult social care services (0300 123 4042).
Other sources of help for safeguarding:
St Albans Diocese Safeguarding website: www.stalbansdiocese.org/safeguarding
National helplines:
NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
Childline – 0800 1111
Stop it Now – 0808 1000 900
NAPAC – 0808 801 0331
Samaritans – 116 123
Family Lives – 0808 800 2222
National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
Action on Elder Abuse – 0808 808 8141
