This document is a parish newsletter containing information about local church services, events, and notices for the community. It includes the vicar's letter discussing the popularity of Christmas services compared to Easter services and how society sometimes wants benefits without costs. The bulk of the newsletter lists the church calendar and activities for December 2022 and January 2023, including services, concerts, school visits, choir rehearsals and more.

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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

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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
With the full re-opening of our churches over the last year, it
is reasonable to expect that all our churches will, once again,
be pretty full this Christmas. This will certainly be true of the services where
children are involved. This is something to be thankful for and to celebrate,
but there is a certain sense of unreality about it – despite our good and
well-grounded work with young people through Junior Church, Junior
Choir, Messy Church, Tiny Tots, and schools work. This comes partly from
the sure knowledge that when we get to Good Friday the numbers will be
nothing like as large – even though we hold a Stations of the Cross for
children and families!
This sort of mirrors something in our society. This is the tendency to want
good things without having to pay for them. For example, we sometimes
hear of marriages falling apart after a ridiculously short time in which the
couple could not possibly have put in the effort to make the relationship
work. We hear and read of people who want to be famous without having
achieved anything at all. Then there are those who expect our schools to
make their children well behaved and high achievers without spending the
necessary time with them themselves. Most of us are guilty of wanting
better public services, both locally and nationally, but we resent having to
pay more taxes especially now that services will be reduced thanks to the
cost of living crisis! Many applaud the work done by voluntary groups and
the Church (and often benefit from it), but do not want to take responsibil-
ity for it or take on the mundane regular tasks that make it possible.
All this is a gross over simplification of the picture, but there is nevertheless
some truth in it. There is a tendency in contemporary society to want the
benefits, but not the cost. Which takes us back to the popularity of Christ-
mas compared to the response to Good Friday and Easter. Christmas is
based upon two very attractive accounts of the birth of Jesus as told by St
Matthew and St Luke in their gospels. It is associated with nice things like
special meals, presents, parties, holidays, and joyful singing. The idea that
this baby is the Son of God is a wondrous thing and it is right to celebrate it
in our homes and in our churches, but it is not the end of the story. Cont’d

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We cannot, and should not, forget what happened to Jesus and that he
could only fulfil his vocation by enduring the terrible experience of death
on the cross and subsequently being transformed through the resurrec-
tion.
In the life of Christ we see absolute integrity and consistency, and a will-
ingness to face the consequences. If we choose to look deeply into it, we
may see an indication of something fundamental about/for our own lives.
This is what we need to give if we want to receive. We are not likely to get
“ought for nought” as some would say. What we get out of life depends
on what we put into it. The most worthwhile things in life are not usually
just handed to us on a plate, but that we need to work for them. And
there is often a personal cost to face.
All this is not intended to suggest that we should not celebrate Christmas
to the full. Of course we should – especially this year as we are once again
able to – but also and primarily because this is the start of God’s renewed
mission of love as seen in the face of Jesus. This is the beginning of the
most costly yet benevolent sacrifice ever made.
As we go out from our churches this Christmas we should go into the New
Year ready to practise our faith without fear of the consequences and be
ready to face any costs it may involve.
Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year,
In Christ,

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PARISH DIARY FOR DECEMBER 2022
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)
Fri 2 7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s
Sun 4 Second Sunday of Advent
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am All-Age Eucharist sung by the Junior Choir St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon St John’s Lunch Club - Christmas Lunch St John’s
Mon 5 7.00pm Carol Service: The Hemel Hempstead School
St John’s
7.45pm Together on Monday Club
Christmas Entertainment St John’s Hall
Tue 6 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: PCC Standing Committee St John’s
Hall
Wed 7 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
1.30pm Boxmoor Primary School rehearsal St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thurs 8 10.00am Carol Service: Pixies Hill Primary School St John’s
1.30pm Lockers Park School rehearsal St John’s
6.30pm Carol Service: Boxmoor Primary School St John’s
Fri 9 from 9am Christmas Trees installed St John’s
5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s
Sun 11 Third Sunday of Advent
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

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Mon 12 from 9am Christmas Trees to be decorated
Tue 13 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play and Service St John’s Hall
6.30pm Concert: Dacorum Community Choir St John’s
Wed 14 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
2.15pm Carol Service: South Hill Primary School St John’s
7.00pm Carol Service:Lockers Park School St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 16 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s
7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s
Sat 17 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s
2.00pm Outdoor Community Carols around the Trees
St John’s
Sun 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent
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
6.30pm Traditional Festival of 9 Lessons and Carols
- admission by free ticket St John’s
Mon 19 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s
Tue 20 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s
6.00pm Candlelit Carols in aid of The Hospice of St Francis
St Francis’
Wed 21 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
3.30pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis
Fri 23 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s
Sat 24 Christmas Eve
2.30pm Christingle Service - admission by free ticket
St John’s
4.30pm Christingle Service - admission by free ticket
St John’s
6.30pm Carols at the Crib - admission by free ticket
St John’s
11.30pm Midnight Mass - admission by free ticket
St John’s

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Sun 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
10.00am Parish Christmas Eucharist St John’s
Bring an opened present and help the Vicar retell the
Christmas Story
10.00am Mass of Christmas Day St Francis'
Mon 26 St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
10.30am Holy Communion with Carols St Stephen's
Tue 27 St John the Evangelist, Apostle
No services - transferred to May
Wed 28 The Holy Innocents
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
PARISH DIARY FOR JANUARY 2023
Sun 1 The Naming of Jesus - New Year’s Day
8.00am No Service
10.00am Combined Parish Eucharist St John’s
No Services at St Francis’ or St Stephen’s today
Wed 4 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 6 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 8 EPIPHANY SUNDAY
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
Tue 10 10am-12noon Tiny Tots New Year Party St John’s Hall
11.30am Church Meeting: Bereavement Group St John’s Hall
7.30pm GSS Service and AGM St Francis’
Wed 11 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 13 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s

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Sun 15 The Baptism of Christ - First Sunday after Epiphany
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
Mon 16 12.30pm Together on Monday Club Lunch Redbourn Golf
Club
Tue 17 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play, and Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: PCC St John’s Hall
Wed 18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
3.30pm Friendship Teas St John’s Hall
4.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Marriage Preparation Evening St John’s
Fri 20 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 21 7.30pm Concert: Hemel Symphony Orchestra St John’s
Sun 22 Second Sunday after Epiphany
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
Mon 23 9.30am Westbrook Hay School: Year 6 visit St John’s
8.00pm Church Meeting: Finance Committee Zoom
Tue 24 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play, and Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications Committee
Zoom
Wed 25 Conversion of St Paul - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
concludes
10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 27 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 28 7.30pm Church Quiz St John’s Hall

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Sun 29 Third Sunday of Epiphany
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass Bishop Norman presiding & preaching
St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
Mon 30 9.30am Westbrook Hay School: Year 3 visit St John’s
Tue 31 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play, and Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Church Meeting: Fundraising Committee Zoom
BOOK REVIEW
Companions on the Bethlehem Road
By Rachel Boulding, BRF, £14.99
This book of daily Bible readings and reflections for
Advent and Christmas is based around spiritual insights
gleaned from some of the best-loved poets of the past
– T.S. Eliot, George Herbert, Tennyson and Auden,
among others.
While they come from different ages and backgrounds, these writers
wrestled with the same questions that we do, about God, love, hope, and
suffering. This book is not a literary study of their work, but a quest to see
what they can tell us about life and faith today.
The poems are quoted in short sections, with suggestions about what they
might mean for us now. While we can glimpse only part of the picture of
God’s love for us, it often seems that, in poetry, our deepest yearnings can
come to the surface.
As we travel the road to Christmas in the company of these great poets,
we may find our minds enlarged and our hearts touched with something
of the wonder and joy of this special season.

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Advent: a Season of Watching and Waiting…
Advent is traditionally a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Christ.
We know he is to be born on Christmas Day, so in the preceding weeks we take
time to look for the signs of his coming among us. This is often done in prayer.
During Advent, as has become our tradition, I encourage you to join me in
contemplative quiet for 5 minutes before our Services begin. This time will be
triggered by the organ playing before the Service. I hope you will find this time
helpful to your journey of faith.
You might also like to use the Church of England’s daily resource for Advent
#follow the star to add your personal preparation for Christmas.
Christmas
As we look forward to celebrating afresh the birth of Jesus please note the
Service times and perhaps even bring someone with you to one of the services.
The Parish Carol Service, Christingles, Crib Service, and Midnight Mass tend to be
very busy so we ask that you book a FREE ticket via our website.
Now that fewer restrictions are upon us services will be back to full capacity.
Please feel free to wear a face covering if that makes you more comfortable.
If you are going away for Christmas, have you planned where you will give thanks
to God for the birth of his Son – our Saviour? You will be made most welcome
wherever you go. This link will help you find the nearest CofE church.
www.achurchnearyou.com
Parish Carol Service: A Festival of Lessons and Carols… 18th December 6.30pm
… The perfect service to begin our celebrations of Christmas. Many will remem-
ber that in recent years (even during the Pandemic) our worship at the Parish
Carol Service has been augmented by the presence of The St John’s Ensemble. It
is a pleasure to be able to welcome the ensemble back again this year – thanks to
the generosity of Music at St John’s who have sponsored this service – for what
promises to be another fabulous service in honour of Lord’s birth among us. This
is an ideal service to bring along friend or neighbour. It will be followed by Mulled
Wine and Mince Pies. Don’t forget to book tickets via our website.
Christmas Morning Sermon
As you know I like to set myself little challenges. For the last couple of years (pre-
pandemic) I have told the Christmas Story of Christmas morning using only the
gifts you have been given and opened that day – some of which (garden wire

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springs to mind!) are harder to incorporate that others. I’m up for this challenge
again, so… please bring along a gift you have already opened and help me tell
the Christmas Story. I hope to incorporate as many gifts as possible, but certain-
ly gifts brought by children.
Parish Christmas Card/Flyer
Once again, as a Church we will be wishing every household in the Parish a
Happy Christmas by giving them a Christmas card which includes all our Service
times on it. If you are able to help distribute these cards, please collect a
‘distribution route’ from the back of St John’s. Thank you in advance for helping
share the Good News of the birth of Jesus with all who live in the Parish.
Christmas Greetings
The tradition of exchanging Christmas Cards lives on – sometimes the only
communication we might have with some each year. For our Church Family I
should like to invite you to sign our Big Christmas Card – specially created for
this year – rather than sending individual cards. It will be available from Advent
Sunday. We hope the money you would have spend on cards/postage will be
donated to our charity Bibles for Children where every school child in Hemel is
given a Bible in years 3 and 6. Thank you in advance.
Christmas Tree Festival
Once again our Christmas Tree Festival looms ahead of us (16-20 December)
with a theme of This is Christmas. This is a great community event which I urge
you to support and to encourage friends and neighbours to attend. We shall
sing Carols round the Trees OUTSIDE on Saturday 17 December at 2.00pm
where Mulled Wine and Hot Dogs will be available – I believe Father Christmas
will also be making an appearance. Thank you to everyone for putting such a
huge amount of effort into this valuable fundraising and community building
event.
St Stephen’s Day Celebrations
I’m aware that for many the prospect of coming to Church on Boxing Day is not
very appealing – you’re ‘churched out’ by that point. But in this Parish we are
blessed with a Church dedicated to God’s glory in the name of St Stephen,
deacon and first martyr for Jesus Christ, whose Feast Day is 26 December. Once
again we shall give thanks to God for Stephen at a Service of Holy Communion
with Carols at 10.30am in St Stephen’s, Hazeldell Road. All are most welcome as
we give thanks for the ministry and presence we have within the Chaulden area.
Cont’d...

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New Year’s Day – The Naming of Jesus
New Year’s Day this year falls on a Sunday. At the time of writing I plan to be
away for New Year so there will be only be one Service in the Parish that Sunday
– the 10.00am Parish Eucharist at St John’s.
The Epiphany of our Lord
This year the Epiphany of our Lord will be celebrated on Sunday 8 January. We
will celebrate the Magi’s offering of gifts to the infant Christ in our usual way by
processing their gifts through St John’s at our Parish Eucharist. Chalk will also be
on hand for those who wish to mark their homes symbolising the arrival of the
Magi in our own homes.
Congratulations to our recent Confirmands
It was a true joy to see 6 members of our congregation come to Confirmation on
Sunday 20 November at a special Deanery Confirmation Service, conducted by
Bishop Christine (former Bishop of Newcastle), where 11 people were Confirmed
– 2 of whom were also Baptised, and a further child was also Baptised. Please
continue to pray for these people as they, like us, grow as disciples of the God
made manifest in the face of Jesus Christ. They are: Gary, Danielle, Sadie, and
Maddie (Baptised) Mullery; James, Catherine, and Lauren Duvall.
Warm Hub
The Cost of Living increase is starting to bite. Fuel bills are exorbitant, inflation is
high, food bills are higher, and taxes are rising. It paints a bleak picture! Many
this winter will have to choose between feeding themselves or heating a room in
their homes. For some this is not a choice they can make due to illness or vulner-
ability.
St John’s has signed-up to a Government and Church-wide scheme – Warm Hub
– where a warm place is opened to all. Our plan is heat St John’s every Tuesday –
11.00am-5.00pm and be a place where anyone can come and sit in relative
warmth. Plans are developing as to whether some refreshments might be
offered. Please share the word that this is happening – sadly I think it might get
rather well used this winter!
Messy Church
A fabulous Messy Church: Joseph and his amazing coloured coat - was held on
13 November. Fun and laughter, worship and mess abounded. If you have a
young family or grandchildren this is definitely the place to be! Our next Messy
Church will be on Sunday 22 January at 3.00pm. All are welcome for this time of
craft, stories, prayer, singing, and refreshments – but it’s especially suited to
under 11s.

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Countdown to Christmas Fayre Thank you
Sincere thank you to all who: helped organise; baked; ran stalls; publicised;
attended and spent money at our Fayre. A splendid effort. You never cease to
surprise me with the skills and dedication you offer. As I write the total raised
stands at just over £2650 – but it’s possible more will drip in. Tremendous effort
in difficult circumstances. Of course the Fundraising is important but so too is
the welcome and outreach to our wider community – a wonderful atmosphere
where all were truly welcomed. Thank you all very much.
Photos by
kind permission
of
Sally-Anne
Bates

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Quiz Night
This Parish has a tremendous history of organising Quiz nights – fun, social, and
stimulating evenings. The downside is that their popularity often prevents a wide
take-up from members of our own congregation. From experience I know that it
is far easier to pray for someone you know, and social events enable this fellow-
ship and sharing. I therefore hope that you will want to join me on Saturday
28 January at 7.30pm at St John’s for a Quiz Night. More details will be published
in the Newsletter.
Pastoral Care and Prayer
You may or may not know that every day Morning Prayer is offered to the praise
of God’s name where we pray for the life of the Parish, those who live or work in
the parish, members of our congregation by name, our schools, health care
providers, emergency services, civic leaders, those in distress or need, those who
are sick, those who are bereaved, and those who have died. We are only too
happy to pray for you or someone you know who is in need of prayer - but it is
not easy to pray for you/them if we don’t know of the need. Please speak to a
member of the Ministry Team to share any Prayer Requests and do keep us
informed of any changes. For some I know confidentiality is an issue. But to over-
come this I have my own private list of people to pray for in addition to the
Parish List in the Newsletter. So please, how can we pray for you?
Christmas Day
Here is an acrostic poem, using the first letter of the word
CHRISTMAS DAY to start each new line.
Carols sound throughout the land
Heralding a special birth
Rejoicing as from Heaven’s realm
Immanuel comes to bless the earth.
So in the town of Bethlehem
The Saviour Jesus gently lies,
Mary rocks the tiny child
As angels serenade the skies.
Shepherds told the awesome story
Divinity will now reside
As He who ruled in Heaven above
Yet Lord of all comes as a child.
By Megan Carter

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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

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Christmas Prayer
Father,
Thank you for creating us and for loving us so much that you sent Jesus
to become one of us and to be our way to you. This Christmas may we
know the love, peace, comfort and joy that only You can give, no matter
what our circumstances. And may we reflect Your light and love in this
dark world to bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
By Daphne Kitching

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the October
Music Percentage Club draw:
Gill Williams 1st £15
Catherine Holness 2nd £8
Noel James 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
SMILE-LINES
The Holy Family
A Sunday school teacher asked her class, “What was Jesus’ mother’s
name?”
One child answered, “Mary.”
The teacher then asked, “Who knows what Jesus’ father’s name was?”
Another child ventured: “Verge?”
Confused, the teacher asked, “Where did you get that?”
He replied hesitantly: “Well, you know they are always talking about Verge
n’ Mary.
Good home
After the christening of his baby brother in church, young Jason sobbed all
the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times
what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That minister said he wanted us
to be brought up in a good Christian home, but I want to stay with you
guys.”
Visiting Father Christmas
A mother took her young daughter to visit Father Christmas in his grotto at
the garden centre. He greeted the youngster merrily and asked: “And what
would you like for Christmas?”
The little girl stared at him, open-mouthed with horror. “Didn’t you get my
email?!”

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FEBRUARY 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the February 2023 edition of the maga-
zine is Sunday, 1st January.
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 ………………………………………………………………………...

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Christmas Tree Festival
Friday 16 – Tuesday 20 December, 2022
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Christmas Tree Festival at St
John’s, would it?
The Fundraising Committee and others have been
working hard behind the scenes to make sure this
year’s Festival will be another successful one. We
will still need more help in early December to set up
the Festival, to assist with the technical set up (e.g.
Alan Munford and the cabling), to man the Festival
itself, and then after Christmas to help dismantle it
(not such a joyful task!) If you can offer any assistance, please let Jean
Garner, Alan Munford or the Vicar know, and do sign up on the lists
which will be at the back of church.
When all that is done, the Festival itself will open on Friday 16 Decem-
ber at 10.00 am and run until Tuesday 20th
at 5.00pm. The Festival will
not open in Sunday 18th
as the church will be in use for worship, includ-
ing the service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, by
adapting the way the inside trees were displayed, and by installing
brightly lit trees in the grounds of the church, we were able to shine a
light in the darkness and engage with the wider community in an appro-
priate way even then. This year we sincerely hope that everyone will be
able to come along and view the results of the decorators’ artistic skills
on the inside trees as well as the lights of the outdoor ones.
The innovation of the Outdoor Carols around the Trees on the Saturday
afternoon has been very popular and will take place this year at 2.00 pm
on Saturday 17 December. There will be the added attraction of hot
dogs and glühwein to warm those cold fingers, and of course, the
traditional flying visit by Father Christmas. So, bring along your best sing-
ing voices and join in the festive cheer!

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The church will be open from:
Friday 16December: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday 17 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 18 December: OPEN only for worship including Carol Services
Monday 19 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday 20 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Admission: Adults £2.50; children go free
Refreshments will be available.
The times of all Christmas Services are listed in this magazine and the
Parish Christmas card will be delivered to every house in the parish. Any
updates necessitated by circumstances will be notified in our Newsletter
and Facebook page.
Photos from
Christmas Tree
Festival 2021

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Music at St John’s
Annual New Year’s Eve Run/Walk
We are all geared up to welcome you again on New Year’s Eve for our
Annual New Year’s Eve 10k Run and 5K Walk.
There is no better way for you to rid yourselves of those extra kilos you
inherited over Christmas than to join us for this traditional event.
The event starts and finishes at St John’s Church on Saturday 31st
Decem-
ber.
The church will be open from 11.00am when desks will be available for you
to register your details. You can also leave coats and bags etc. in church
during the event.
The entrance fee for the 10k Run is £10 and for the 5K Walk the fee is £5.
All proceeds raised on the day go to our charity ‘Music at St John’s’.
The fun starts at 11.30am when the Walkers set off, and please note that
this walk is mainly ‘off road’. At 12noon the runners set off on their 10k
run.
Please tell your friends and neighbours about our event.
We look forward to welcoming you on ‘New Year’s Eve’.
Peter Garner
for Music at St John’s

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Protect our birds
This Christmas why not give the birds in your garden a Christmas
present by joining the RSPB? More and more of our wild birds are
disappearing, making the RSPB’s work vital, to make sure that the birds
we have grown up with and love remain a familiar sight for our
children and future generations. More than 200 different kinds of wild
bird live within our shores – why not help the RSPB to help them?
Visit: www.rspb.org.uk

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at St John’s
in the month of October 2022
HOLY BAPTISM
2 October Isla Grace Broome Stonelea Road
9 October William Patrick Roberson Birnie Kingsland Road
16 October Oliver Timothy Risto Robertson St John’s Road
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
22 October Georgia Lynn & Joshua Weatherly
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 October Una Eulalie Higson Horsecroft Road
19 October Leslie Richard Lunn Cangels Close
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
There were no ashes buried in October.

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36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor