St. John's Magazine - Oct. 23

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 -
THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
Have you noticed how everything has to be personalised
now? From personalised number plates and unique ring-
tones and covers for our mobile phones to the way we have our coffee in a
coffee shop; everything is tailored to the individual.
This is probably because we have come to place more and more emphasis
on personal choice as the millennium draws on. It may also be that we now
have the means to be distinctive and different with so much more choice
available to us via the internet. In Andrew Marr’s book The History of
Modern Britain he describes how, after the Second World War, people
showed themselves discontent with the Government’s plans to be the
provider of what they needed. They wanted more and more personal
choice. That trend has certainly continued.
The Church has not been immune to these changes either: weddings and
funerals are now far more personal than in the last century. Special read-
ings or music which have personal associations or meanings for the couple
or the bereaved are now the norm, likewise tributes are now given.
People do not want to be treated as if they were numbers. We want a
personalised service. Is it not irritating to have to phone a call centre only
to have it answered by a recorded message offering you a menu of options
– sometimes not even with the option you need? I dare say most of us
would prefer to speak to a real living person – but that costs money!
There is a healthy insight in all this, which should resonate with Christian
people. There are plenty of cases in the New Testament of Jesus treating
those he met as individuals, without preconceptions on his part. It is part of
the way he taught us how God treats us. There is no doubt we are called to
do the same.
Cont’d…...

6. - 4 -
There are dangers, however: We can over-emphasise the personal.
Personal choices should be taken seriously, but they may not always be
right. It is, for example, dangerous to say that faith is a matter of personal
choice. In effect it is saying that what we believe in is just a matter of opin-
ion. Also, it implies that it has no objective reality and is not rooted in real
life and history. If we say that, where does truth come in? Also, we have to
fit in with others and cannot always have what we choose.
Jesus’ summary of the Law could not be more applicable. When he urged
us to love our neighbours as ourselves he meant that we should treat
others as people, just as we expect them to treat us as people. This is why
we are baptised and confirmed by name – as people – and sent out to
treat others in the same way. As we continue to consider the marks and
Mission this month perhaps this needs to be built into our thinking and
doing?
Every Blessing,
Recommendations for collaboration between dioceses
The Church of England’s Dioceses Commission has shared the themes which
emerged from a recent consultation looking at bishops and their ministries.
It is part of a series of ‘listening exercises’ exploring how the Church of England
can best serve the nation in the 2020s and beyond, and also make best use of
resources.
Recommendations included suggestions for new collaborations between
dioceses in areas such as Net Zero, Racial Justice, Ministry Training and Educa-
tion, either on a regional level or between a number of dioceses.
The consultation also considered how dioceses might cooperate to use
resources better, as well as how the ministry of suffragan and area bishops can
best be delivered. There will not be any centrally led structural changes to
dioceses, or combinations of dioceses, as a result of the consultation.

7. - 5 -
PARISH DIARY FOR OCTOBER 2023
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 details are 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
Sun 1 Harvest Festival - Seventeenth Sunday of Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am All-Age Parade Eucharist sung by the Junior Choir
St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 2 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
“Sinking beneath the Waves” Speaker: Noel James
8.00pm Confirmation Class The Vicarage
Tues 3 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service
St John’s Hall
Wed 4 St Francis of Assisi
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
2.00pm Wedding Rehearsal St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thur 5 10.30am Mountbatten Lodge Communion Mountbatten
Lodge
2.00pm Harvest Thanksgiving: South Hill School
St John’s
Fri 6 12.30pm Wedding: Kennedy Morgan & Samuel Taylor
St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s

8. - 6 -
Sun 8 Eighteenth Sunday of Trinity Mission and Evangelism Sermon Series
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.00am St Francis’ Open Day - Stalls and Refreshments
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
2.00pm Just A Capella concert St Francis’
4.00pm Festival High Mass & Benediction St Francis’
Mon 9 2.00pm Poetry Group 53 Beechfield Road
8.00pm Confirmation Class The Vicarage
Tues 10 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service
St John’s Hall
8.00pm PCC Standing Committee Meeting Zoom
Wed 11 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 13 12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert - Pupils of the Purcell
School St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 14 6.30pm Joyful Noise Choir Concert St John’s
Sun 15 Nineteenth Sunday of Trinity Mission and Evangelism Sermon Series
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
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm Choral Evensong: St John’s
Preacher: The Venerable Charles Hudson, Archdeacon
of St Albans
Mon 16 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
“A talk about my mother Jennifer Worth, in conver-
sation with Suzannah Worth & Carole Lewis”
8.00pm Confirmation Class The Vicarage
Tues 17 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service St John’s Hall
Wed 18 St Luke the Evangelist
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
12noon Burial of Ashes St John’s
3.00pm Friendship Teas St John’s
Hall

9. - 7 -
Wed 18 St Luke the Evangelist
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
Thur 19 8.30am Unisound Recorder Day St John’s
11.00am Mountbatten Lodge Communion Mount-
batten
Lodge
Fri 20 12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
Alice Bishop soprano with David Elwin piano
Followed by MaSJ AGM
5.45pm Junior Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 22 Twentieth Sunday of Trinity Mission and Evangelism Sermon Series
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
3.00pm Messy Church St John’s
Tues 24 No Tiny Tots this week - Half Term
Wed 25 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 27 12.30pm MaSJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
Charles Sewart violin and Debbie Shah piano
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 28 Ss Simon and Jude, Apostles
Sun 29 Last Sunday of 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
Mon 30 8.00pm Confirmation Class The Vicarage
Tues 31 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service St John’s
Hall

10. - 8 -
Seeking support for the Christmas Tree Festival 2023!
The ever-popular Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s has become so
much more than a fundraising event, and has developed into a very
precious form of community outreach. But it requires a lot of help
from the congregation and community to run a big event and we
are very grateful indeed for the support and financial contributions
given in previous years. The congregation and others have been
very generous and without their help it could not be the success it
has become. We hope to do even better this year!
The planning process has already started - a new sub-committee
has been formed to organise this year’s Christmas Tree Festival. We
are very grateful to Jean and Bob Hammond for kindly agreeing to
take the reins this year, with support from Jean Garner and Anne
Lyne, and others as the process evolves, particularly Alan Munford
for his expertise on the technical side and publicity.
This year’s theme will be “Peace on Earth” and the Festival will
run from Friday 15 to Tuesday 19 December (Sunday closed
for worship).
Be warned, we WILL be writing letters to people, tapping you on the
shoulder or trying to persuade you in various other ways to get
involved and enjoy being part of the Festival. We need as much
help as we can get. Very soon, we will be contacting you about
sponsoring trees, indoors or outdoors, and decorating the indoor
trees. The cost of the trees must be covered before the Festival
opens. Later on, there are many tasks to be signed up for. Mostly
these are not too demanding. If you are not asked, but would like
to participate, please let us know! If you are new to the congrega-
tion, please do not hesitate to get involved. The more the merrier
and it makes such a fun Christmas! Anne Lyne

11. - 9 -

12. - 10 -
Autumn Sermon Series: Mission and Ministry
During September and October the Ministry Team are running a Sermon Series
on Mission and Ministry. Following in the footsteps of Christ, the Church is called
to proclaim the nearness of God’s Kingdom; forgiveness in the name of Jesus, and
life and love for all people. Often, we – The Church – are not very good at telling
other people about the Good News we have inherited. The sermon series will
hopefully give us some food for thought and some helpful tips for sharing our
faith.
Harvest
As usual we shall offer to God our thanksgiving for his gifts in creation and those
who bring-in the harvest. Our celebrations will include a special All Age Eucharist
on 1 October; a Quiz Night on Saturday 30 September at 7.30pm; a monetary
collection for the Bishop of St Alban’s Harvest appeal to provide Chickens for
families in Uganda; and a produce collection for DENS and our local Food Bank.
St Francis Patronal Festival and Open afternoon: Sunday 8 October
On Sunday 8 October at 4.00pm 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. The service will be preceded by an Open Day at St Francis,
beginning at 11.00am, with stalls and refreshments available throughout the day,
including Cream Tea and a raffle. The will also be a short recital given by
A Cappella at 2.00pm. Please do come along and support.
Confirmation Service
If you are interested in being confirmed this autumn,
or would like to explore what this means, please speak
to me. 7 people (of all ages) have already
expressed an interest in being confirmed. On Monday
evenings, 8.15-9.15pm starting on 2 October, I will
hold preparation session at the Vicarage ahead of the
service on 26 November, 6.30pm.

13. - 11 -
Choral Evensong
Following September’s delightful offering of Choral Evensong, when the choir
returned from their summer break in great voice once again, a reminder that the
next offering will be on Sunday 15 October, 6.30pm, when the guest preacher
will be The Venerable Charles Hudson, Archdeacon of St Albans. This will be the
Archdeacon’s first visit to the parish so I hope we will make him welcome.
I repeatedly hear folk saying how much they miss this simple service and the
glorious sound of our choir. Now’s your chance to come and let the beauty of
worship wash over you as we come into God’s presence.
Countdown to Christmas Fayre
Advance notice that this year’s Fayre will be held on Saturday 18 November,
10.00am-2.00pm in St John’s. All the usual stalls plus refreshments. Please help
with preparations and on the day.
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, borders, 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 Churchward-
ens.
DEC Appeal
Thank you also for your generosity towards helping the peoples of Morocco and
Libya following the horrendous lost of life due to earthquake and floods. More
donations are still being received – I’ll update you on a total next month.
All Souls’ Services 2023
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 10.00am Service of
Holy Communion at St John’s on Wednesday 1 November and at the 8pm
Requiem Mass for the Departed at St Francis on Thursday 2 November. You are
invited to light candles in memory of departed loved ones and, should you wish
for names to be read out, do please provide these on the relevant form at the
back of our churches on the Sundays leading up to November.
Cont’d.

14. - 12 -
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 5 November at 4pm, we shall be inviting
friends and families of those who have died during the past 12 months to remem-
ber 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.
News from our Administrator
On Sunday 17 September it was publicly announced that Hilary will be leaving
Hertfordshire for the sunny shores of north Devon. She is to take up the post of
Team Vicar within the Torridge Coastal Mission Community in the Diocese of
Exeter. This is a fantastic opportunity for Hilary to exercise her priestly ministry
and the wide variety of gifts she possesses more fully. Of course, this mean we will
be looking for a new Parish Administrator and an advert will be coming out very
soon. Hilary will be leaving us at Christmas – more will be said in the December
magazine.
*********
SMILE-LINES
Don’t mention it!
As part of his annual talk to our local Town Council, our minister told some
funny stories. Since he planned to use the same anecdotes at the forth-
coming Harvest Dinner at church, he asked the young reporter covering
the event not to include them in his report.
Reading the newspaper on the following morning, he noticed that the well-
meaning reporter had ended his story on the banquet with the observation
“The minister told a number of stories that cannot be published.”
Working
First friend: Who are you working for nowadays?
Second friend: Same people. The wife and four kids.

15. - 13 -

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

19. - 17 -
Toe-tal
FOOT CARE
Safe, hygienic, friendly service for all the family
For the treatment of corns, callus,
ingrown or thickened nails,
nail trimming, cracked heels
In the comfort of your own home
Call Graham Spendlove, MCFHP, MAFHP
Qualified Foot Health Professional
Book now 07799 033974

20. - 18 -
Herts Musical Memories deliver vibrant, therapeutic music
sessions designed to help connect people to their memories
through singing. The group is aimed at people worried about
their memory or their voice, those living with dementia, their
carers, or anyone who likes to sing and have fun - everyone
is welcome!
The Hemel group meets on Tuesday afternoons at
St George's URC Hall. For more information please call
07515 633486.

21. - 19 -

22. - 20 -
JUST ACROSS THE ROAD from St John’s Church is a square, unassuming
brick building, which is one of only two theatres in Hemel Hempstead.
Some people living in the village still don’t know that the BOXMOOR
PLAYHOUSE is at 72, St John’s Road and are amazed when they come to a
show for the first time.
Unlike the other playhouse at the Old Town Hall Arts Centre, this is not a
professional theatre (although the BBC has filmed here in the recent
past). It belongs to HEMEL HEMPSTEAD THEATRE COMPANY, a long-
standing amateur group which is coming back to life in a big way after
Lockdown.
Boxmoor Playhouse has special links with St John’s because for many
years it was the church hall and was robustly built with a proper stage
because it was seen as a community facility. Under HHTC ownership, it is
still available for hire as a venue for small concerts, local events and
family celebrations and regularly hosts the local U3A.
In recent times, another link between church and theatre was Ben
Weitzmann, former curate at St John’s, who was our panto musical
director for several years and who still comes back from Portsmouth to
see shows and meet friends.
There’s an exciting schedule planned for the theatre in the next couple of
years! In the short term, there is a workshop production of a Harold
Pinter one act play, Celebration, which will be presented for just one
night on Wednesday, October 11th at our weekly club night. Pinter fans
who are non-members are very welcome to attend (tickets for all shows
are available from www.hhtheatreco.com). Just be warned that the
language is fruity and the material adult!
Dick Whittington, this year’s panto is also in rehearsal. It will be on-stage
for two weekends starting on Thursday, November 30th. Our pantos are
always very popular – so get booking! Our other seasonal activity is our
first radio play, A Christmas Carol, complete with sound effects provided
by a special team. The live performance will be recorded in front of an
audience on November 4th and will hopefully be broadcast on a local
radio station. Tickets will be on sale very soon.

23. - 21 -
Moving on to 2024, we plan to present our version of the television
comedy classic ‘Allo, ‘Allo and the musical Little Shop of Horrors. For
youngsters, we are planning a third, week-long intensive production in
the summer and in October we are gearing up for Shakespeare’s comedy,
Much Ado About Nothing. Then, it will be time for panto again!
Do come and see us. We have a performance bar, staffed by friendly
volunteers and if it gets too hot, there will be ice creams in the interval!
Better still, come and join us. Contact Linda Vincent, our membership
secretary on hhtc.membership@gmail.com and you can meet some of us
at a club night on Wednesdays at 9 pm. If you don’t want to strut your
stuff on stage, there are lots of backstage jobs to be filled.
We are so lucky to have our own theatre; but it’s not there just for us.
We want to be better known as a part of the Boxmoor community –
some live entertainment on your doorstep.
Photo of the cast of this summer’s production of 'Our House'

24. - 22 -
'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the August Music
Percentage Club draw:
Gill Williams 1st £15
Zoe Proehl 2nd £8
Job Rombout 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.
*********
Note of thanks
I would like to personally thank Yvonne and Alan Munford for delivering to
me the weekly Newsletter and the monthly copy of the Parish Magazine,
which is very much appreciated.
Margaret Gunning
*********
Falling Leaves
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
From a poem by Emily Bronte (1818-48)

25. - 23 -
NOVEMBER 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the November 2023 edition of the maga-
zine is Sunday, 1st 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/A4 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 -
St James the Least of All
On the perils of Harvest
The Rectory
St James the Least
My dear Nephew Darren
In the unlikely event of ever being put in charge of designing the course
for those being trained for ordination, I would make a few significant
changes. Modules on doctrine, Church history and Greek would all be
dropped as unnecessary. In their place, I would add courses on how to
run a tight jumble sale, ways to keep your church council in order – and
especially close to my heart at present, how to negotiate Harvest.
The first skirmish starts in early Summer when it becomes clear that the
flower arrangers’ plans mean that the choir would disappear behind a
huge array of chrysanthemums. The choir then retaliate by announcing
that their Harvest anthem must take place just when the Sunday School
intended to re-enact the parable of the Good Samaritan. They, in turn,
raise the stakes by insisting that a stage will be needed for their perfor-
mance, thus ensuring that I will be separated from the congregation by
an impenetrable barricade.
In September, therefore, there is the traditional meeting to iron out all
these little difficulties. This inevitably results with the annual act of the
verger handing in his resignation, of the bell ringers threatening a mass
walk-out, and those who organise coffee afterwards demanding that my
sermon lasts no more than three minutes, so there will be plenty of time
for socialising after the Service.
I greet all suggestions with a spontaneous burst of indifference, smile,
agree with it all – and do nothing (this, incidentally, is a good policy for all
decision-making). Inevitably, everything goes ahead exactly as it has
always done for the last century.

27. - 25 -
Come the day, there will be the usual arrangement of eggs round the
font, with the strategically placed card saying ‘Given anonymously by
Elsie Jones’ and the pyramid of apples temptingly near the choirboys, so
designed that when someone tries to pinch one during the sermon, the
whole pile disintegrates as they roll all over the chancel.
On the following Friday, all will leave after the Harvest Supper saying that
the entertainment was worse than the previous year and that the
absence of red cabbage had quite ruined the hot pot. Everyone therefore
has had an enjoyable evening.
My Harvest training course would be compulsory and a pass mark of 90%
would be needed before ordination could be considered.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
*************
SMILE-LINES
Those Church Bulletin notes that didn’t quite work as intended:
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’
The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’
Ladies, don’t forget the jumble sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those
things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.
Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t
care much about you.
Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.

28. - 26 -
St Francis of Assisi, Hammerfield
St Francis Church, which celebrated its Centenary in 2014, enjoys the
strong support of The Bishops of St Albans and Richborough, The Vicar,
and Frs. Anderson, Banister and Grant to proclaim God’s word. We also
remember with great fondness the help given by Frs. Benjamin
Weitzmann, Alasdair Coles, James Reveley, Rex Merry, John Belither,
Alexander McGregor, and others.
Our worship of almighty God is further enhanced by the services of Paul
Davies, our regular organist who plays most weeks, and Keith Beniston,
parish director of music, who joins us for festivals and Evensong & Bene-
diction. The building – modelled in the style of the Basilica to St Francis
in Assisi – is fortunate in having very good acoustics which assist our
offering of praise at the Sung Eucharist each week despite our smallish
congregation. Indeed, the acoustics have attracted several choirs to come
and perform at the church.
Our style of worship at St Francis’ can best be described as traditional
Catholic (within the Church of England) with the Mass being celebrated
and offered each week at 10.00am. We sing the traditional and serene
Merbecke setting in conjunction with plainsong psalmody and hymns
taken from The New English Hymnal – occasionally augmented by some
more contemporary hymnody. Feast Days are observed throughout the
year including the feast of Corpus Christi at which all Eucharistic
Ministers within the Parish are invited to attend and be re-commissioned
in their ministry. After Mass refreshments are served – tea, coffee, and
biscuits each week and sherry, fizz, and nibbles after Festivals. This
usually occurs in the hall where we sit around a table and chat, which is
helpful in addressing church issues, as well as cementing our Christian
witness. Members of the congregation also say Evening Prayer (according
to the Book of Common Prayer) on Wednesdays at 5.00pm each week
which is also much appreciated.
The Covid-19 Pandemic presented various challenges to us, as indeed it
presented challenges to every worshipping community within the
Church. It was difficult not being able to worship in the liturgical space
and custom which feeds our sense of mission and evangelism.

29. - 27 -
We are grateful to the Vicar and Churchwardens for the way in which
they managed our safe return. And closing for a while has not all been
bad news! Since returning we have seen our regular worshipping
community grow – numerically and spiritually – with numbers up by
approximately one third from various age ranges. One of the casualties
of the pandemic was the loss of the monthly service of Evensong &
Benediction. It hoped this will return (albeit not monthly) in the near
future. Details will appear in the Magazine calendar and weekly
Newsletter.
This year, on 28 January, we welcomed the Bishop of Richborough to
preside and preach followed by our annual lunch. Next year will be the
last such Mass and lunch attended by the Right Reverend Norman Banks,
since he retires in April. It is always a joy to welcome those from the
wider parish and from further afield to attend this Mass and/or the
lunch, and we hope that many will be able to come in January 2024. A
formal invitation will be sent out nearer the time.
Like all churches, Fundraising is a necessity. This year we will have our
usual fundraising event – an Open Day – to be held on Sunday 8 October
(the nearest date to our Patronal Festival). Various stalls will be selling
books, jewellery, toys, greeting cards, and bric a brac (including from the
Hospice of St Francis) along with a raffle, from 11.00am, with Just a
Capella singing at 2.00pm, and Cream Teas and cakes will be provided
throughout the day. At 4.00pm there will be Festival High Mass & Bene-
diction followed by Fizz. We cordially extend an invitation to you to visit
the church at some point during that day.
Plans are in place to host our annual service of Carols by Candlelight on
Tuesday 19 December at 6.00pm. This is often supported by the wider
Parish and includes biblical and poetic readings along with many of our
favourite carols. The Vicar often sings a solo, and the during the service
children are invited to make the crib in preparation for our celebrations a
few days later. The collection will once again be donated to The Hospice
of St Francis. Over the past 4-5 years We have raised several thousand
pounds, from this service and from fayres and our coffee monies, for this
Charity. Cont’d.

30. - 28 -
This year some of us visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in
Norfolk for a Parish Pilgrimage. The Parishes of Boxmoor and Hemel
Hempstead, Old Town, combined forces under the direction of the Vicar
and Rector respectively. This was a welcome time of refreshment and
renewal and we hope a monthly group might now be established, in
connection with Walsingham.
A warm welcome awaits you at St Francis’ – we hope to see you soon.
Trevor Standen
********
A Prayer for October
Dear Lord and Creator of all things,
In this fast-moving and high-tech world, help us to slow down – just
occasionally – to notice the rhythms of Your creation; the beauty of the
colours of autumn; the annual ritual of falling leaves and darkening
evenings. All part of Your cycle of the year that we often take for granted.
And yet Lord, there is evidence of changes in our climate – extremes of
temperature, droughts, floods and wildfires. There is evidence that our
behaviour might be responsible for damaging Your world.
Lord, we thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness and grace to us.
We are sorry when we get things wrong. Thank you for sending Jesus to
show us the way to be in a right relationship with You. Help us to put our
trust in Him and as part of living Christian lives, to accept our responsibil-
ity for caring for the world You created.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
By Daphne Kitching

31. - 29 -
Bike ‘n Hike
Thank you to all who sponsored Andy Fisher, Mark Harbour, and myself
to cycle round as many churches as possible on Saturday 9 September –
one of the hottest days of the year! I managed 10 churches in 10 miles,
whilst Andy and Mark visited another 12 churches managing in total 22
churches in 22 miles. If you did sponsor us, please make sure you honour
your pledge. Funds raised will be split between our parish and the work
of the Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust. We will raise over £300.
Thanks to Dee Fisher who manned the church and also to Graham Gibbs
who also helped to man the church! Dee painted an old bicycle yellow to
promote the Bike ‘n Hike and attached are a few photos from the day
kindly provided by Dee.
Thanks also go to Glen at St
Francis’ for opening the
church.
Mike Macey
Marian Davies, Churchwarden who
did The ‘Hike’.

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month August
HOLY BAPTISM
There were no baptisms in August
HOLY MATRIMONY
24 August Juliet Cumberland and Vinosh Sivaneswaran
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
3 August Mary Elizabeth Warysniuk Hanger Close
23 August Dorothy Margaret Freeman The Lodge Nursing Home
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
20 August Philip Lloyd Worth St John’s Road

33. - 31 -

34. - 32 -

35. - 33 -

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor