St. John's Magazine

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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,
This year Ash Wednesday and Lent follow hard on the heels
of Christmas and Epiphany - we have only one Sunday
between the 2 seasons. Often this can make us feel a little bit rushed. No
sooner have we celebrated the birth of the Christ child and put our decora-
tions away than we are focusing on a season of self-denial and discipline,
culminating in Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter. A child recently
asked “did they take Jesus straight out of the crib and put him on the
Cross?” We could be forgiven for thinking the same. Somewhere 30 years
of Christ’s life have got lost from the record books.
And although the nearness of Lent and Easter to Christmas can be
unsettling perhaps the proximity of these seasons and festivals this year
can be to our advantage. Maybe it might help us to make the connection
that it is the same person, God incarnate, lying in the manger and with his
arms outstretched upon the cross. Perhaps we will remember more clearly
that the child of Bethlehem whom angels, shepherds, and wise men adore
is the same person whom the crowd of Jerusalem disown and condemn to
die. Perhaps the depth of God’s love will be revealed more fully to us as we
connect together the birth, death, and resurrection to new life as a promise
and gift of God to all his children.
Of course, for some these dots have already been joined and none of these
things may speak to you, but as we enter into Lent I hope and pray that this
season may be a time of spiritual refreshment and growth for each of us.
Whether this is through the traditional models of fasting, prayer, and
abstinence, or through more contemporary models of taking on additional
duties or studies, may the Lord bless you in your journey and relationship
with him.
Every Blessing,

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PARISH DIARY FOR FEBRUARY 2024
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
Thu 1 8.15am Lockers Park Chapel Service Lockers Park
Fri 2 7.00pm Choir Practice St John's Hall
Sat 3 7.30 pm Concert: Hemel Symphony Orchestra St John’s
Sun 4 PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE - CANDLEMAS (transferred)
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
12 noon Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm Ceremony of Carols St John’s
Mon 5 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John's Hall
“More Ramblings of a Vicar” - Speaker: Mike Macey
Tue 6 9.30am Tiny Tots - Stay & Play, and Service St John's Hall &
Church
11.15am Church Meeting: Bereavement Team St John’s Hall
12.30pm Funeral: Michael Cherry St John’s
Wed 7 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 8 9.00am MASJ: Unisound DaySt John’s
11.00am Mountbatten Lodge Communion Mountbatten
Lodge
Fri 9 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Practice St John’s Hall
Sat 10 7.30pm Quiz Night St John’s Hall

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Sun 11 Sunday Next before Lent
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
Mon 12 10.00am Westbrook Hay School Visit St John’s
8.00pm Church Meeting: PCC Standing Committee Zoom
Tue 13 Shrove Tuesday
9.30am Tiny Tots - Stay & Play, and Service St John's Hall &
Church
4.00pm Pancake Party St John’s Hall &
Church
7.30pm Wine and Cheese Social Evening St John’s Hall
Wed 14 ASH WEDNESDAY
8.15am Lockers Park Chapel Service Lockers Park
School
10.00am Holy Communion with Imposition
of Ashes St John’s
followed by coffee
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Parish Eucharist with Imposition
of Ashes St John’s
Fri 16 7.00pm Choir Practice St John's Hall
Sun 18 First Sunday of Lent
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
11.30am Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm Choral Evensong St John’s
– Guest Preacher: The Reverend Lizzie Hood
Mon 19 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
AGM & Supper
Tue 20 No Tiny Tots – Half-term
Wed 21 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 22 11.00am Mountbatten Lodge Communion Mountbatten
Lodge

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Fri 23 7.00pm Choir Practice St John's Hall
Sat 24 7.30pm Concert: Lumina St John’s
Sun 25 Second Sunday of Lent
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
3.00pm Messy Church: Noah and the Ark St John’s Hall &
Church
Mon 26 7.30pm Holy Communion Lady Chapel
8.00pm Lent Course: Session 1 Lady Chapel
Tue 27 9.30am Tiny Tots - Stay & Play, and Service St John’s Hall &
Church
8.00pm Deanery Synod Holy Trinity,
Leverstock Green
Wed 28 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 29 9.30am Morning Prayer St Stephen's
10.00am Lent Course: Session 1 St Stephen’s
***************
SMILE-LINES
God’s army
Dewey was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the minister
was standing at the door, as he always is, to shake hands. Suddenly he
grabbed Dewey by the hand and pulled him aside. The minister said
sternly, “Dewey, you need to join the Army of the Lord!”
Dewey replied, “I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor.”
The minister retorted: “Then how come I don’t see you except at Christ-
mas and Easter?”
Dewey replied in a whisper: “Well, I’m in the secret service.”

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2023 Music at St John’s New Year’s Eve 10k Run and 5k Walk
This year the New Year’s Eve run and walk fell on a Sunday and so the
start time was pushed back half an hour in order to follow after the morn-
ing service.
We set up the registration tables straight after the service when the
congregation had left church. Thanks to Nicholas King, Richard Lyne and
Katherine Cox for all their help with this on the day.
We also set up the Start and Finish banner across the path and people
started to arrive to sign up.
The main organiser John Garner was there and set up the route map and
supplied the registration forms – we had so many entries this year that
we had to print off another 50 on the church copier!
We had two marshalls out on the course to assist with the busier
junctions such as Top of the World pub at Warners End. We also had a
water stop at the half way point kindly set up and managed by John’s
partner.
We estimated that we had around 155 runners and 36 walkers taking
part. We couldn’t be exact because some runners completed a single
form for families but paid for each person taking part.
The registration raised £1,816.00 in direct payments and also paid
through the Good Box by card. We will need to offset for some costs and
also this year we are contributing half of the net money to a local worthy
cause associated with the runners.
The weather was quite good for the walking and running, there had been
a bit of rain and it was a bit cold but overall reasonable. The walk started
at 12.00 and then the run was started at 12.30 with the traditional rocket.
Within about 35 minutes we started to see the first runners returning and
then a steady flow continued of both runners and walkers. However the
rain did start towards the end of the run and some runners did get quite
wet. The shoes that had been left outside by the main door were brought

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in to the glass porch area. Most people stayed in church afterwards for
refreshments kindly provided by Peter and Jean Garner, which included
tea and coffee, squash, mince pies, Christmas cake, pastries etc. All very
welcome for the walkers and runners after their exercise.
We do find that this has become an occasion where people can meet up
and catch up with each other after the event and it was nice to see and
hear the church buzzing with the conversation and laughter.
My thanks to everyone who helped with the organising and on the day.
Mark Harbour, Chair of Music at St John’s
Bottom photo by
kind permission of
Graham Gibbs

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Christmas
I should like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making
Christmas such a wonderful celebration. Christmas, once again with you, was a
real joy and blessing. From our buildings being decorated so beautifully to the
music offered by the choir, to the myriad of helpers on duty over Christmas and
the army of card deliverers was simply fantastic. Thank you for all you hard work
and commitment. You might like to know that over 1500 people came through
our doors and joined us for worship between 6.30pm on Sunday 17 December
and 11.00am on Christmas morning. Note this does not include the many who
people who joined us for Outdoor Carols or for the Tree Festival. Our publicity
through Facebook and the Christmas Cards delivered to every house reaped its
reward.
Christmas would not have been the same without all the effort that was put in.
Thank you.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party: for Children and Adults
Before we begin our Lenten disciplines, on Tuesday 13 February there will be our
annual Pancake Party for under 12s in St John’s Hall, starting at 4.00pm. This will
comprise of pancake races and quizzes, as well as the opportunity to eat them.
We will also be holding a Wine and Cheese Social Event in the evening in the Hall
for adults. 7.30pm onwards. There will also be some tasty sweet treats! I hope
many will be able to join us for this happy occasion on the eve of entering into
the Lenten season of penitence.
More details in due course via the Newsletter.
Ash Wednesday – 14 February
A Service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes will be held at
10.00am in St John’s, and the Parish Sung Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at
8.00pm at St John’s. Everyone is most welcome to attend these services. A good
start to Lent is to be encouraged and I look forward to seeing you at one of these
services.
Lent
Traditionally Lent is a time to reflect on one’s discipleship in Christ and how our
relationship with him might be strengthened or renewed. To that end, we often
either give-up something we particularly like, or take on a Spiritual Discipline like
reading an entire Gospel or committing to a certain time of Prayer every day.

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Have you decided what you might like to do this year? As usual I intend to give-
up biscuits throughout Lent and to spend longer in prayer each day – making use
of the provision of Night Prayer (Compline) that has been produced and will be
posted on our website.
This year we are reading St Mark’s Gospel during our Sunday worship – perhaps
you might like to read through his entire Gospel? It’s only 16 short chapters long
and was the first Gospel narrative to be written – both St Luke and St Matthew
borrow elements of St Mark’s work.
Alternatively, there are other books available at the back of church which can
help encourage you and deepen your journey of faith.
Lent Course 2024: Come and See: Learning from the life of Peter
This year our Lent Course has more of a reflective feel as we read each day part
of St Peter’s story in the pages of Scripture. How can Peter - that most identifia-
ble and impulsive disciple - help us to grow in our journey of faith with Christ?
Might this daily pattern of reading the Scriptures and reflection help us to form
new patterns of reading the Bible beyond Lent?
This 4 week course will involve daily reading at home and then an hour-long
session to discuss and reflect together. Sessions will be preceded by Worship
(normally the Eucharist) which I hope will help set the Lent Course within a
context of prayer.
So that we have a rough idea of numbers at each session, please would you sign-
up on the sheets provided at the back of church.
Mondays @ St John’s Thursdays @ St Stephen’s
7.30pm – Eucharist/Compline 9.30am – Eucharist/Morning Prayer
8.00-9.00pm – Session 10.00-11.00am – Session
26 February Wk1:The Call 29 February
4 March Wk2: Shaping Character 7 March
11 March Wk3: The Way of the Cross 14 March
18 March Wk4: Enduring Hope 21 March
Help needed: This is your Church
Despite being incredibly grateful and thankful to those who help week on week
with the various jobs/ministries/tasks, and with all who helped over Christmas, I
am once again all too aware that we are heavily reliant on a small core of people
for the majority of tasks. As a large Church this is not sustainable. We need to
think afresh about what we all do and can do for the life of the Church here in
Boxmoor. We each have a vocation – in life and in the Church: what is yours and
how can it be put to good use within the life of our Church?

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Choral Services
One of the joys of the last year has been the sustained return of our adult choir.
Their contribution to worship is both musically excellent and heart-warmingly
joyful. The quality, for a Parish Choir, is simply superb and would not be out of
place in most Cathedrals up and down the land. At present our adult choir is
restricted to singing Choral Evensong (or another big service) monthly but the
hope is to be able to return to fielding a choir at our morning services too.
Recently we have tried to recruit paid Choral Scholars but applications have been
lacking. We will persist! But regardless, the music offered is truly wonderful. Hats
off to our musicians, and especially to Keith our Director of Music. I should also
like to praise our junior choir, under the direction of Helen, who never fail to
bring joy and life to our All Age Eucharists. Thank you to all our musicians and to
those who support our music making.
Ceremony of Carols
To round off our celebrations of the Word becoming incarnate and made known
– Christmas and Epiphany – our musicians will perform Benjamin Britten’s A Cere-
mony of Carols on Sunday 4 February, at 6.30pm at St John’s. This is a glorious
work, accompanied by Harp, and well worth coming to hear and offering in
worship. All welcome.
Jubilee Year – 150 years of St John’s:
Hopefully, by now you are all aware that in 1874 St John’s Church was consecrat-
ed as a House of Prayer to God’s glory. To celebrate this mile stone we have
various events planned – which I hope you will wish to support and enjoy.
Here are our upcoming events – regular and special:
Sunday 4 February 6.30pm A Ceremony of Carols – see above
Saturday 10 February 7.30pm Quiz Night
Tuesday 13 February Shrove Tuesday Parties – see above
Sunday 18 February 6.30pm Choral Evensong – guest preacher: the
Reverend Lizzie Hood
Sunday 10 March 10.00am Mothering Sunday All Age Eucharist
Sunday 17 March 6.30pm Special Service for Passiontide
Sunday 24 March Palm Sunday and Holy Week begins
Sunday 31 March Easter Day
Sunday 21 April APCM (morning) & Choral Evensong (evening)
Sunday 5 May 10.00am Festival Jubilee Eucharist
This will be led by the Bishop of St Albans, sung by
the adult and junior choirs, and attended by former
clergy of this parish. A lunch will follow the Eucharist.

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Monday 6 May 10.00am Beat the Parish Bounds and BBQ
A social and prayer-filled walk round the boundary of the parish, stopping at
local watering holes for refreshment and so that those who want to walk some
of the route or who want to join for the refreshments only may do so, ending
with a BBQ back at St John’s.
Thursday 9 May Ascension Day Deanery Eucharist at St Barnabas,
Adeyfield
10-12 May MASJ Music Festival
Sunday 12 May time tbc Civic Service
Saturday 15 June All day Summer Fayre
Sunday 23 June 2.00pm Parish Cricket Match
27–30 June All day SJB 150 Exhibition
An exhibition of flowers and artefacts charting the story of St John’s over the
years. Please send in your pictures to SJB150@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk. Refresh-
ments will be served.
A decade later…
On 19th
February I will have been your Vicar for 10 years which means you will
have put up with me that long! It has been, and is, a joy and a privilege to minis-
ter among you. I am greatly enjoying being your Vicar and helping to lead the
Parish in moving forward in its Mission in the Gospel. We have lots of work to do
and lots of fun to have together. For all that has been: thanks be to God; for that
is to come: Let us bless the Lord.
Thank you to our Churchwardens and Officers
Much of the work of our Church Officers goes unseen and often unappreciated,
and yet, without it our common life would be significantly poorer. Together,
with me, our Church Officers share in the legal responsibility for the life and well
-being of our Parish. It is truly astounding and heart-warming when one consid-
ers the time and effort they put in to ensure our buildings are maintained and
welcoming, our finances are properly managed, administration runs smoothly,
and everyone is safeguarded and protected. Without these vital people our
Parish would struggle to function and cease to be as effective in proclaiming the
Good News of Jesus and God’s love for everyone.
My sincere thanks to all our Church Officers.
As we approach our APCM (parish meeting) in April, please consider if there is
something you can do to build up our common life. Perhaps it is to be a Prayer
partner or Phone buddy and commit to praying/phoning certain people each
month? Perhaps it is to become a sidesperson or welcomer at our services?
Perhaps you have musical gifts to offer? Perhaps you would like to join the PCC
(our board of trustees)?

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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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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.
True Love
(Lk2:22-35)
Broken world,
Broken lives,
Broken hearts
Without hope
Until there, in the Temple,
In that bundle of a baby,
Love provides
Restoration,
According to His word.
By Daphne Kitching

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NEWS FROM ‘DISCOVERY’
Most of us lead busy lives these days and not many families make church-
going a priority. However, the majority of their children can be found in
our local schools! For the past 35 years I have had the privilege of taking
Christian Assemblies in up to 27 of them.
In 2005 I was introduced to an organisation named ‘Bibles for Children’
which wants to give each child their own Bible to keep. For Year 3’s they
produce a colourful edition which includes most of the familiar Bible
stories in simplified language and beautifully illustrated, and for Year 6’s
they receive copies of the Good News Bible with the familiar line drawings
and the rainbow cover.
The first issue to any school is provided by ‘ Bibles for Children’ with
subsequent distributions under-written by local churches and or individu-
al support.
Recently I have been into local schools with Father Mike Macey to present
the Bibles in a lesson where we explain about the Bibles and point out the
places that the children might want to read on their own. I would add that
it is a privilege to work with Mike Macey as he is very gifted in explaining
about the Bible in a way that the children can understand.
Each year we present about 460 Bibles in St. John’s Parish at a cost of
£5.95 each with the total being £2737. Thank you, St. John’s for your
generous gift of £750. Other churches and individuals also support the
funding of these presentations, a truly ecumenical aspect of Christian
involvement.
Schools we have been to recently include:
South Hill, Pixies Hill, Tudor, Chaulden & Westbrook Hay. When we
present the Bibles to the children their response is one of excitement and
real interest, especially as in most schools they are allowed to take them
home.
Cont’d ...

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When I return to the schools to lead an Assembly,
I tell them a story from their Bibles and if I forget
to say where they can find it, children will come
up to me afterwards asking for the page number!
When we have presented the Good News Bible to
the Year 6 children we often ask for their
favourite story in their Childrens Bible and some
choose ‘The Man on the Cross’. This is an amazing
opportunity to share the message of Christianity.
If you would like to receive regular updates from
Discovery please contact Andrew Masters
email:discoveryhemel@gmail.com
Prayer for February 2024
Father, In this coldest and shortest of months, this month when tradition-
ally thoughts turn to love and the promise of Spring, help us to be thankful
and steadfast and to see Your bigger picture in what is sometimes a fright-
ening world, a world where love between nations seems to be in short
supply and the future uncertain.
We pray for all those whose lives are in turmoil through a lack of love and
justice. Help us to remember the great love You have for Your world and
Your people, so great that You sent Jesus to show us how to live, how to
love and how to overcome the troubles of the world.
Thank you that Your love is stronger than the forces of evil, stronger than
death. Help us to put our trust in Jesus, to keep our focus on Him, knowing
He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that His love is stronger
than the forces of evil, stronger than death. In his name, Amen.
By Daphne Kitching

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the November/
December Music Percentage Club draw:
Nov. 23 Dec. 23
Noel James 1st £15 Garth Bridgwood 1st £15
Catherine Holness 2nd £8 Jennie Whitefield 2nd £8
Sheila James 3rd £4 Sheila 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.
*********
BOOK REVIEW
Curious Contemplative – Daring to Discover New
Depths with God
By Chris Webb, SPCK, £11.99
Many people would like to move beyond the superficiali-
ties of so much of church life, and explore the spiritual
practices of silence, solitude, and stillness. These all help
to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, with
others and with ourselves.
This book explores Christian contemplation by following the remarkable
journey of Elijah, from attention seeking self-appointed leader to reflective
and deep-rooted contemplative.
It examines what we can learn from this story, and how we can incorpo-
rate such spiritual disciplines into our own lives.

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MARCH 2024 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the March edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 4th February.
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 magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk 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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TINY TOTS NEW YEAR PARTY 2024
Our weekly Tiny Tots continues to be as popular as ever with around 20+
little ones coming along most weeks during term time with their mums,
dads, grandparents or carers. We meet from 9.30am in the hall for play,
crafts and refreshments, followed by a service of action songs and prayers
in church at 10.30, finishing by 11.
We had a good New Year Party on 9th
January in the Hall when 20 little
ones, including babies, came along for the fun. We gave them party hats
to decorate before sitting down to play Pass the Parcel, followed by a
lunch of party food and snacks. After most of the food had gone we gath-
ered them together again for a sing-song before sending them home with
a little book, balloon and chocolate treat.
We are always happy to welcome new members from birth upwards –
come along and join us for friendship, fun, songs and chaos!
Annie Mitchell
Photos by kind permission of June Young
SMILE-LINES
Family
Last night our wifi stopped working, so I had to spend a few hours with
my family. They seem like good people.

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
The PCC met on 9 January, nineteen members being present. Sandy Cutts
was thanked for her input, having stepped down from membership.
The Vicar reported on a vibrant and positive Christmas period, with in-
creased numbers of visitors. Thanks were extended to Jean Hammond
and her team for a stunning Christmas Tree Festival, and to all who had
contributed in other ways to the seasonal services and events. However,
it remains important to focus pastoral care on those who through
increased age and/or infirmity are no longer able to attend regularly in
person. Adequate numbers of stewards had also sometimes stretched
our resources.
Deniece Colley has started work as our new Parish Administrator (it is
hoped to publish a profile of her in an imminent issue of the magazine).
Chris Angell reported that the financial position at the close of the year
looks satisfactory. In particular, Planned Giving had met its target, with
thanks to all who have contributed. There remain some unknowns arising
from incorrect billing by our utility suppliers, which it is hoped to resolve
shortly, and there had been a run of unexpected costs for site mainte-
nance in the closing weeks of 2023. The parish budget for 2024 was
approved. Jo Fisher reported increased income from Hall bookings at St
Francis'.
Several items of fabric maintenance remain in hand, to which clearing
blocked gutters around the site has been added. The new CCTV and
upgraded wifi system has been installed and has resulted in significant
improvements, although there are still some snagging points to be
resolved. James Proehl reported on buoyant numbers of those viewing
seasonal services remotely.
There was an extensive discussion to review some aspects of safeguard-
ing practice and compliance which require updating. It is important to
draw a distinction between pastoral visits which take place "officially" on
behalf of the church and those which are on a purely-personal footing;

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those who conduct such visits are invited to consult with the Vicar if they
require individual guidance.
Plans are evolving to mark the 150th anniversary of St John’s this year.
There will be a celebratory service at 10am on Sunday 5 May, at which
we hope the Bishop will preside, and to which former incumbents and
other ministers will be invited, then a beating of the bounds on Bank
Holiday Monday, 6 May, followed by a barbecue. On Sunday 12 May
there will be a civic service at 4pm to mark the tenure of the present
Mayor, and there will be a Jubilee Exhibition from 27 to 30 June, themed
on hatches, matches and despatches over the 150 years of the church.
Later in the year it is planned to hold a Gift Day, reaching out into the
wider parish, and there will be a churchwardens' appeal to upgrade our
sound system. Further details of all these events will be shared as they
are finalised.
Detailed reports were received from other sub-committees and groups.
Notable items included agreement to leave the monthly charge for the
magazine unchanged this year, and to progress replacement of the chairs
in the Hall. Initial deadlines were also outlined for the APCM on Sunday
21 April, with a particular need (because of where Easter falls this year)
for those who lead committees and other activities to ensure that their
reports reach the PCC Secretary by Sunday 24 March.
The next meeting of the PCC will be on 12 March.
Nicholas King
Hon. Secretary

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Hertfordshire’s faith leaders come together to sign the first Hertford-
shire Faith Covenant
The Hertfordshire Faith Covenant is a new initiative between Faith Groups
and Public Services. An inaugural Signing Ceremony was held to launch
the Covenant on 16th January at County Hall. 22 Faith Leaders from
Bahai, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Quaker and Sikh faiths and
Inter Faith leaders signed the Covenant. I signed as the representative of
Dacorum Interfaith Network. The Covenant has been written in beautiful
script by a monk from Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.
The Faith Covenant is a joint commitment to a shared set of principles
that guide engagement between faith communities and public services. It
aims to promote open, practical modes of working together and to
strengthen community cohesion.
Important commitments contained in the Covenant include:
Consent to proactively build trust/relationships and aim to remove any
mistrust between faith groups and public services.
Raise awareness and share learning and knowledge between different
faith communities and within the public services.
Speaking after signing the Faith Covenant on behalf of the County Council,
Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council Councillor Terry Douris said:
“By bringing faith groups together, I hope that we can strengthen commu-
nity relations, focusing on the things that unite us making Hertfordshire a
welcoming, unique county for all.”
More information at https://www.faithandsociety.org/covenant/
Report by Eileen Martin
(Please see photo opposite)

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at St John’s
in the months of November/December 2023
HOLY BAPTISM
5 November Evie Gwen Edmends-Fahey Chester-le-Street,
Durham
Oakley Peter Whittle Warmark Road
Layker Tony Whittle Warmark Road
19 November April Mary Joy Moxon Standring Rise
3 December Colbey James William Grandis Cotterells
Freddie Leo Grandis Cotterells
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
No Weddings
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
No Funerals
BURIAL OF ASHES
4 November John Moore Standring Rise
13 November Alexander George Mason Wootton
Winifred Mary Mason Wootton
15 November David Richard Stevens Bricket Wood
Jean Stevens Bricket Wood
19 November Eva Woodgate Cangels Close
25 November Andrew Roy Bartley Long John
22 December Pauline Prestedge Adeyfield

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36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor