3. - 1 -

4. - 2 -
PETER D HANNABY
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior work
Undertaken
For competitive quotations
Please call
Mobile: 07765 250092
Home: 01442 288956
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING COSTS
Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business. There
are eleven issues per year with double issue in December/January.
Charges are: Full Page £115 per annum
Half Page £80 per annum
Quarter Page £60 per annum
For part year charges are pro rata of the annual rate rounded up to
the nearest whole pound (e.g. 1 month/issue full page 115/12 =
9.58 rounded up = £10 charge)
To discuss your requirements or for further information, please
contact Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or 07792 768236
or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

5. - 3 -
LETTER FROM THE LAY READER
As I sit down to write this letter, two words are uppermost in my mind:
“THANK YOU”.
Thinking back over the past thirty years since this parish encouraged me
to study and be licensed as a lay reader has left me with a deep sense of
gratitude. In a few days time I’ll be returning to Grimsby to visit, among
other relatives and friends, Auntie Winnie, my favourite Aunt. She’s in her
nineties now and very frail but I know she will be so pleased to see me.
We will reminisce and I will definitely be thanking her especially for how
much she contributed to the development of my faith as I grew. I have my
train tickets ready and my masks and I’m very excited. This will be the first
visit since the pandemic bore down on us, restricted our movements and
filled us with fear. How thankful we must be to the scientists and medics
who have worked so tirelessly to help to free us to move around once
again, but how careful and considerate of others we still need to be.
I’m acutely aware that countless others have helped me on my life
journey too, including many in this parish and many of them may never
know how much I have to thank them for.
The Saturday live programme on radio four always has a spot where
listeners write in with stories of strangers who have helped them and
whom they didn’t manage to thank adequately at the time. Some of these
stories are very moving and the contributors always hope that the ones
they want to thank might be listening.
There’s an old hymn with the lines: “Count your blessings count them one
by one and you will remember what the Lord has done”. It might sound a
bit old fashioned to some, but it still makes profound sense. Ever tried
making a list? It’s a great exercise to do, especially when your world
seems dark. It can be very humbling and uplifting at the same time.

6. - 4 -
We shall soon be holding our Harvest Thanksgiving Service and how
marvellous it will be this year to be able to sing our thanks once again at
our All Age Eucharist on Oct 3rd
.
Of course there will always be ups and downs but I’m so thankful for the
joy and the privilege of still being your friend and Lay Reader,
Bible Sunday – 24th
October
This special Sunday in the church’s calendar is an opportunity to stop and
consider the enormous blessing that the Bible has brought to people
down the centuries. Without it, we would know nothing about God our
Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. It is God-breathed – full of His love
and guidance to us. World history would have been radically different
without it.
Whether or not you are able to get to church on 24th
October, Bible Socie-
ty has some excellent resources on Bible Sunday at:
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/get-involved/bible-sunday/

7. - 5 -
PARISH DIARY FOR OCTOBER 2021
Enquiries regarding baptisms, weddings, or marriage blessings are
always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer is said Daily at St John’s at 9.00am.
You are most welcome to join the clergy in prayer.
Evening Prayer is said privately for the life of the Parish unless detailed below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays)
The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and
made available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources
Fri 1 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 2 2.00pm Service of Thanksgiving for Jenny Rodway St John’s
7.30pm Harvest Quiz Night St John’s Hall
Sun 3 Harvest Festival
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am All-Age Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
12noon Harvest BBQ St John’s Hall
No Evening Service
Mon 4 St Francis of Assisi
11.30am Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge
7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
Statues in the Abbey - Speaker: Jean Garner
8.00pm Patronal Festival Sung Mass and Benediction
St Francis’
Tue 5 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
2.15pm South Hill School Harvest Festival St John’s
Wed 6 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 8 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s

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Sun 10 Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen's
No Evening Service
Tue 12 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 13 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 15 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 17 St Luke, Apostle, and Bible Sunday
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
Guest president: The Reverend Vanessa Hadley-
Spencer
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
No Service at St Stephen’s this week
6.30pm Choral Evensong St John’s
Mon 18 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
Air Ambulance
8.00pm PCC Standing Committee Meeting Zoom
Tues 19 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 20 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 22 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 24 Last Sunday after Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
No Evening Service

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Tues 26 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 27 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thur 28 Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles
Fri 29 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 31 ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12.30pm St John’s Lunch St John’s Hall
No Evening Service

10. - 8 -

11. - 9 -
New Chair for Christian Aid
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu, the former Archbishop of York,
will be the next Chair of the board of international development agency
Christian Aid.
Dr Sentamu – who has been outspoken on issues of poverty and justice
in the UK and globally for many years – served as the Archbishop of York
from 2005 until 2020. He was created by Her Majesty the Queen, Baron
of Lindisfarne in the County of Northumberland and Masooli in the
Republic of Uganda. He is a member of the UK Parliament, in the House
of Lords.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Dr Sentamu will be the first person of African
descent to take up the position of Chair in Christian Aid’s 75-year history.
Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and current Chair,
will stand down at Christian Aid’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in
November, having served two full terms of office.
Announcing the appointment today, Christian Aid’s CEO Amanda Khozi
Mukwashi said: “This is wonderful news for Christian Aid. Dr Sentamu
brings with him a passion and energy for global justice, a deep love of
the Church and a profound theological understanding that will be able to
speak into the crises of climate change, Covid, conflict and debt that are
affecting the world’s poorest communities. We look forward to welcom-
ing him to the Christian Aid family.”

12. - 10 -
Harvest – Service, Appeal, and Supper
Our annual Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday 3 October. The 10.00am All-
Age Eucharist will be a Parade Eucharist and will include the presentation of gifts
(money not food items this year) for DENS - our local food bank and night shelter.
There will also be Harvest celebrations during the services at St Francis and St
Stephen’s.
We shall also be supporting The Bishop’s Harvest Appeal “Water is Life” via a
monetary collection in conjunction with Tear Fund who aim to bring clean water
to many communities in the DRC, bringing with it transformation to daily lives and
hope for the future. Life in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is tough. With
a history of civil war, widespread poverty and a cycle of conflict and displacement,
communities struggle every day. Also, more than 70 per cent of the DRC popula-
tion use unsafe drinking water and so daily encounter the devastatingly high risk
of cholera, a preventable disease.
Our All-Age Eucharist will be followed by a Harvest BBQ outside the Hall at
12noon. £5/adult, £3/child.
As in pre-pandemic times, our Harvest Celebration will begin with a Harvest Quiz
Evening on Saturday 2 October at 7.30pm. Please email the office if you would
like to enter a team - (office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk)
St Francis Patronal Festival
On Monday 4 October at 8pm there will be Sung High Mass with Benediction in
celebration of the Patronal Festival of St Francis, Hammerfield. All are welcome to
join in giving thanks to God for the life and ministry of St Francis of Assisi, and for
the witness of the Church in that part of the Parish. Refreshments will be served
after the Service. Guest preacher will be announced.
Confirmation Service
If you are interested in being confirmed this autumn, or would like to explore
what this means, please speak to me or Carole. Dates for preparation sessions will
be arranged when candidates become known – details will appear in the
Newsletter. The Confirmation Service will be on Sunday 21 November, 6.30pm.

13. - 11 -
Parish Mission Action Plan
“I have a cunning plan…” said Baldrick in the Blackadder TV series. As a Parish, we
too, have a cunning plan to help us restore and develop our common life to
levels seen pre-pandemic and the way in which we live and take the Good News
of Jesus Christ to and into our community. I hope, however, that our plan will be
way more successful than Baldrick’s, normally flawed, offerings. The PCC have
recently approved a new Mission Action Plan which will give us direction and
priorities for the coming year(s). Together, I am confident we can continue to
build on the legacy of faith entrusted to us and be active disciples for Christ in
this Parish in the years to come.
Countdown to Christmas Fayre
Advance notice that this year’s Fayre will be held on Saturday 20 November,
10.00-14.00 in St John’s. All the usual stalls plus refreshments. This year we will
also be raffling-off a sensational painting of the St John Memorial window in the
Lady Chapel of St John’s, painted by local artist and member of the congregation
Graham Cutts. The painting is valued at £850 but tickets will be sold for £10. This
original painting is simply stunning and I wholeheartedly recommend buying at
least one ticket, perhaps even five! All contribution to the Fayre (time/produce/
merchandise) will be gratefully received. Please see the Newsletter for details.
Thank you to our Gardeners
Over the summer months it is always pleasant to be out in the open making the
most of the warm, (hot!) sunny days. Many people choose to come and sit in our
church yards and enjoy the peacefulness of the well-cared for environment.
Sincere thanks to those who keep our church yards trim and tidy and especially
the Thursday working group who are keeping the Rose Garden and lawns at St
John’s looking so inviting. Should you wish to help keep the outside of our
churches looking appealing and loved, please speak to our Churchwardens.
Audio-Visual Project – update
At Easter the Churchwardens launched an appeal to raise funds to update our AV
system to provide capability to live-stream services. Although this is not yet
possible and we continue to pre-record services for those unable to attend in
person, the working group are nearly ready to install what we hope will be a
system that should last us for many years. Thank you to the working group for all
their efforts and to everyone for their patience. We are nearly there.
Cont’d….

14. - 12 -
All Souls’ Services: Tuesday 2 & Wednesday 3 November
There are many in the Parish who have lost loved ones, both in recent months or
years, and in years gone by. Although they have died, our prayer and certain
hope is that they live on with Christ in his eternal Kingdom.
Names of departed loved ones will be read out at both the 8pm Requiem Mass
for the Departed at St Francis on Tuesday 2 November and at the 10.00am
Service of Holy Communion at St John’s on Wednesday 6 November. You are
invited to light candles in memory of departed loved ones and, should you wish
for names to be read out to, please provide these on the relevant form at the
back of our churches.
Annual Service of Remembrance
Over the past year the Ministry Team has taken, or assisted with, many Funerals,
Memorials, and Interments of parishioners. At our Annual Service of Remem-
brance, to be held this year on Sunday 7 November at 4pm, we shall be inviting
friends and families of those who have died during the past 12 months to
remember their loved ones before God and to give thanks for their lives. Should
you wish to remember loved ones from previous years you will be most
welcome.
Observations on daily life
Monarchs have their times and their turns, their rises and their ruin. –
John Trapp
If deeds are fruit, words are leaves. – Anon
Progress is a tide. If we stand still, we will surely be drowned. –
H Mayfield
It was a brave man who ate the first oyster. – Anon
Never report what may hurt another, unless it be a great hurt to conceal
it. – William Penn
Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop. – Anon
Much that is good and useful is made of chocolate. – Anon
Archaeologists will date any old thing. – Anon
Courage is fear that has said its prayers. – Anon
In giving until it hurts, some people are extremely sensitive to pain. –
Anon

15. - 13 -
Magazine Advertising Costs
Have you thought about using Boxmoor Parish Magazine to advertise/
promote your business in the local community?
There are eleven issues per year with double issue in December/January.
Charges are: Full Page £115 per annum
Half Page £80 per annum
Quarter Page £60 per annum
For part year charges are pro rata of the annual rate rounded up to the
nearest whole pound (e.g. 1 month/issue full page 115/12 = 9.58 rounded
up = £10)
To discuss your requirements or for further information, please contact
Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

16. - 14 -

17. - 15 -

18. - 16 -
HALLS FOR HIRE
ST JOHN’S HALL - Well equipped hall suitable for use by special interest
groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and special occasions.
Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary on 07939 226977 or email:
hallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and availabil-
ity.
ST STEPHEN’S HALL, CHAULDEN - (opposite Tudor Rose) - Sunny Hall with
tiled floor suitable for dancing and exercise groups as well as being ideal for
children’s parties. Please contact Jean on 01442 257023 for further
information and availability.
ST FRANCIS HALL, HAMMERFIELD - Well equipped hall suitable for use by
special interest groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and
special occasions. Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary by email: stfran-
cishallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and
availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul
Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908
To the Son
Most gracious Son, may your teaching dispel the darkness of ignorance
in our mind, and may your commands be beacons of light showing us
the path to peace. And as we walk on that path, may we find your foot-
prints on the ground, that we may place our own feet where you have
trodden. We believe that you will strengthen our limbs when they grow
weary, and raise our spirits when they become heavy, because nothing
gives you greater pleasure than watching us follow the way of salva-
tion. We pray that you will always be our friend and our guide, and so
bring us to your Father’s heavenly kingdom.
A Prayer of Erasmus, 1469–1536 – most renowned scholar of his age.

19. - 17 -
Please Note: St. John's Church PCC cannot accept any responsibility for goods or services

20. - 18 -

21. - 19 -

22. - 20 -
David Pickup, a solicitor, is a keen supporter of church magazines. Here’s
why!
Good reasons to have a church magazine
After a year of lockdown, should we still bother with church magazines
now that church life is picking up again? Yes!
It is read by lots of people. If each issue is read on average by two people,
then more people see it than ever go to church. So, it is a very good way
of putting Christian values and ideas into people’s hands, whether they
come to church or not.
It is a service to the community. Communities need local networks to
thrive. Magazines are a great way of binding the people who live in one
place together. Just delivering the church magazine is a way to get to
know the area and the people.
It helps build bridges with other Christian churches in the area. We can
share some details of their meetings and events.
It can make money. Well, enough to cover the costs of production! Let’s
aim for a revenue balanced on paid subscriptions and advertising.
It is seen by those outside the church family. Think of the people just
moving into our area, or those who live here already and want to get
married or to baptise their child. Our magazine can help them see the
sort of community we are, and that we would welcome them to join us.
It is read by people who do not go to church, but who know someone who
does. This is a major way of how groups, including churches, grow. Not
many people walk into a church off their own bat. Most people are
invited, or already have a connection.
It supports local businesses. Local businesses who advertise locally, can
thrive.

23. - 21 -
It helps people develop skills. The editorial team will learn about design,
marketing, GDPR, editing, copyright, writing, selling, artwork – and apol-
ogising.
It can help inform our community about itself – especially if we include a
local history or local natural history section!
So, don’t believe it if someone tells you that print is dead. It is not. Many
people still prefer to read something they can hold in their hands. The
future is not EITHER print OR digital, but BOTH AND. People will flick
through a magazine that arrives through the door, even though they may
never dream of visiting their local church’s website.
Prove it
Prove it they cried that you’re the Messiah
Wouldn’t He come as a conquering king?
Not as a poor man riding a donkey
How do you think we’d believe such a thing?
Wherever He went large crowds would follow,
He calmed the storm and turned water to wine,
The lame could walk and the deaf made to hear,
Fully a man and yet also divine.
His teaching had never been heard before,
He fed the five thousand with fish and bread
Gave sight to the blind and lepers were healed,
He cast out demons and raised the dead.
He died on a cross to take away sin
Rose up from the grave, what more could He do
To prove of His love for all of mankind?
Believe it or not – it’s all up to you.
By Megan Carter

24. - 22 -
'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the August Music
Percentage Club draw:
Sheila James 1st £15
Marion Roff 2nd £8
Jennie Whitefield 3rd £4
If you know of someone who would be interested in joining the Music
Percentage Club and supporting Music at St John’s in this way there are
forms in church or please contact Mark Harbour on 01582 841019 or see
him in church. Mark Harbour - on behalf of MASJ
*************
BOOK REVIEW
Holier Than Thou
By Jackie Hill Perry, 10Publishing, £12.49
Why is it so hard to trust God sometimes? We say we trust Him, but often
we live as if He can’t be trusted. We assume that He doesn't really want
what is best for us; that He withholds good things from us.
Bestselling author Jackie Hill Perry walks us
through Scripture, shaking the dust off of the
concept of ‘holy’ as we’ve come to know it. The
concept of ‘holy’ is something that offers us an
amazing truth – God is good, He is trustworthy.
So, God being ‘holier than thou’ is actually the
best news we can possibly have.

25. - 23 -
NOVEMBER 2021 EDITION - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the November edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 3rd October.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
monthly basis, please email alan.munford@btinternet.com or telephone him on
01442 242543 or complete your details below and return tear-off slip to:
Mr. Alan Munford, 16 St Nicholas Mount, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BB
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
...........................................................................................................................
Contact Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………...

26. - 24 -

27. - 25 -
Here are some more real-life extracts from church bulletins and notices that
didn’t come out quite in the way intended!
The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and
gracious hostility.
Harvest Supper Friday at 6pm. Prayer and medication to follow.
The Men’s group will meet at 6pm. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, wine
and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
Jumble sale: The ladies of our church have cast off clothing of every kind. They
may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back
door.
For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nurse-
ry downstairs.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ Come
early and listen to our choir practice.
**************
It is the season of thanksgiving – and giving
Harvest time for YOU
Sometimes a law of nature is very similar to a law of the spirit. Take the whole
business of harvest, or ‘sowing and reaping’. The Bible tells us: “A farmer who
plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will
reap much.” (2 Cor 9:6)
The most sensitive nerve on our body is the one that runs to our cheque book!
Money represents our time, our security, and our hard work. It gives us
independence and power. So, when God begins to talk to us about giving more of
our money to Him – sowing it in His service – we can feel very alarmed.
The seed a farmer sows in a field may sometimes be lost, but not the seed that
we give to God. What we sow with regards to our time, gifts and money in
service to others God will make sure we one day reap – in a harvest of spiritual
riches that we can never lose.

28. - 26 -
St James the Least of All
The Revd Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from
‘Uncle Eustace’…
When the film makers come to church
The Rectory
St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren
It has all been excitement and activity here this last week, with a period
drama being filmed using our church. It was remarkable how many
people felt the need to drop in to church to collect magazines, check the
reading rota or arrange flowers, just happening to stumble over the film
stars en route. If only they were filming every week, then our brasses
would be permanently gleaming, woodwork smothered in beeswax and
the notice board kept in a state of perpetual tidiness.
Our Ladies Guild was thrilled to be asked to take part in a crowd scene. I
saw little point in the wardrobe department taking hours fitting them out
with Victorian dresses, as the result was little different from normal. The
only awkward moment came after filming, when Mrs Simms was told she
could now remove her bustle. She told the girl she already had.
The producer thanked me for taking the trouble of going round church
before they arrived, removing all those modern conveniences that would
not have been there in the nineteenth century. I hadn’t the heart to tell
him that nothing was any different from normal.
Lord Marchmount was thoroughly miffed that they were not also using
his castle for filming, even though the producer explained with exempla-
ry patience that they needed a nineteenth century setting, not one which
looked as if the cast had just returned from the Crusades. His revenge,
getting the farm staff to spread slurry in all the surrounding fields
throughout filming, has apparently meant that film stars now have a
clause in their contracts protecting them from rural life. Cont’d…..

29. - 27 -
The issue of whether the outbreak of salmonella poisoning in the cast had
anything to do with the catering caravan being liberally coated is to be
settled in the courts.
When all was finished, I thought it only right to invite the film crew and
actors to the vicarage for sherry. When the producer left, I was delighted
to be told he had just discovered the perfect home for filming his next
project – which is about Elizabethan poverty.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
Autumn Prayer
Dear Loving, Father God,
As the season changes and we enjoy the beautiful colours of autumn,
there are other changes which we don’t enjoy. Changes we cannot
control; changes and suffering in the world, beyond our comprehension;
changes to our work routines, or health, or circumstances; changes which
cause us anxiety and uncertainty.
When everything seems to be falling around us like the autumn leaves,
help us, Lord, to remember that you stand firm. You are our rock. You
never change. You are always faithful, always with us, as we move into
each new day and each new season.
Thank you for loving us so much that you gave us Jesus, so that by putting
our trust in Him, we can know the security of your love, for ever!
In His name, we thank you, Sovereign Lord.
Amen,
By Daphne Kitching

30. - 28 -
Bishop Alan calls for all churches to turn up the heat on Climate
issues
17th August 2021
Bishop Alan was among the welcomers at the Cathedral on Wednesday
August 11th when the Young Christian Climate Network relay pilgrimage
to COP26 reached St Albans. In glorious sunshine, supporters from across
the Diocese and from local churches of all denominations gathered to
hear leaders from YCCN speak about their inspiration and to pray together
for wider awareness of the environmental crisis and for a greater commit-
ment for action from global leaders.
Bishop Alan said, ‘It is wonderful to greet the pilgrims to St Albans as we
work together for the good of the planet. Caring for creation is a theme
that runs through the entire Bible, from start to finish. Christians are
called to be good stewards of the planet and to care about the environ-
ment. This is an area where many young people are taking the lead. Your
relay to Glasgow for COP26 demonstrates that you are taking a lead and
you are turning up the heat on climate issues. I call on us all in the
communities of this diocese to hear the call and turn up the heat on
climate issues so we can turn down the heat on the planet.’
YCCN pilgrims at Berkhamsted
YCCN pilgrims at
Berkhamsted Castle
Castle
YCCN pilgrims at Berkhamsted Castle

31. - 29 -
Churches along the route have been involved in the organisation of the
pilgrimage with St Michael and All Angels, Borehamwood and St John’s,
Boxmoor generously providing overnight hospitality; thanks also to
St Peter’s London Colney and St Peter’s Berkhamsted and representatives
from many other churches who provided support and encouragement
along the route, and to the Abbey Eco Team for expert boat building and
co-ordinating a wonderful picnic lunch.
Starting from Carbis Bay in Cornwall, site of the G7 summit in June and
ending in Glasgow for the climate talks in November, the pilgrimage will
cover more than 1000 miles and involve hundreds of walkers in a relay to
call for climate justice for the world’s poorest and most vulnera-
ble. Travelling with them is The Pilgrim, the boat which is the symbol of
the YCCN’s call for climate justice. More information about the pilgrimage
can be found at www.yccn.uk

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at St John’s
in the month of AUGUST 2021
HOLY BAPTISM
1 August Stanley Michael Miller Kingsland Road
8 August Hannah Sofia Elizabeth Eustace Grove Road
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
1 August Jessica Mary Elms and Niall Mitchell Woods
7 August Tara Carn and Stephen James Avis
O God, our Father, whose greatest gift is love, bless those, we ask you,
who within your presence take each other in marriage.
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
9 August John Humphrey Baldwin Deaconsfield Road
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
No burials of ashes took place in August.

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34. - 32 -

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SMILE-LINES
Who’d be a landlord?
Excerpts from real life requests sent by tenants:
The toilet is blocked, and we cannot bathe the children until it is cleared.
This is to let you know that there is a smell coming from the man next
door.
The toilet seat is cracked: where do I stand?
I am writing on behalf of my sink, which is running away from the wall.
I request your permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor