St John's Parish Magazine - March edition

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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
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For part year charges are pro rata of the annual rate rounded up to
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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 month heralds the one year anniversary of the Government’s
order to “stay at home: protect the NHS: save lives”. On the one
hand it doesn’t feel like a year has passed, and yet on the other it
certainly does. So much has changed. So many people have been
infected and affected. Our statistics are brutal and sobering, and behind each
number is a name, a person, and a grieving family.
In the early days of the pandemic I recall hearing the daily death toll – rising –
and being both concerned and anxious. I recall when our mortality rate exceeded
Italy and Spain, when we topped 1000 people dying in a single day, and when we
reached the grim landmark of over 100,000 people dying as a result of Covid-19.
It has been a dark and painful year. Perhaps I am alone in this, but I fear I have
become numb to daily death toll as it is announced each day. I hope, however,
this is not the case.
One thing Covid-19 has done to our society is open up a conversation about
death and dying. It has been something we cannot ignore no matter how much
we might like to. Across the generations we have started to think about our mor-
tality rather than treating the subject as taboo and brushing it under the carpet.
That’s not to say we have come to terms with dying but rather that we are more
prepared to address the often ever-present elephant in the room!
The Christian faith, however, never shies away from dying. How can it? when at
the heart of our faith is the death of the Son of God upon the Cross and his
mightily and glorious resurrection, and the promise that he is the resurrection
and the life. Jesus never shied away from death – in fact he actively ‘set his face
towards Jerusalem’ knowing all that was to befall him and his own death. Or
recall the times he raised Lazarus, the widow’s son at Nain, or Jairus’ daughter
from the dead. The Letters to the early Church are riddled with references to
both Christ’s death and our own dying – actual and metaphorical dying. Our litur-
gies are punctuated by references to Christ’s death and even our symbol of faith
– the Cross – brings to the fore the subject of mortality.
But although death is at the heart of our faith it is not the final word. Death and
dying are the vehicles by which new life is possible: new experiences, new
perspectives, new relationships. Death is not the end – as we often think – but
rather a moment of transformation or a gateway into a new reality with God.
Cont’d….

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Only by dying can we be resurrected with Christ and take our places more fully in
his eternal Kingdom. This is the Good News of our faith: that “neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38f
Death is not the final word – Life is the final word… life in all its fullness. As we
approach this Easter and prepare to celebrate afresh Christ’s victory over sin and
death may we be encouraged and strengthened to witness to this Good News
within our wider community. As we start to be able to have face-to-face conver-
sations again may we be ready to offer the Christian hope of the resurrected life
in Christ Jesus to all those who have been forced to examine their mortality. May
we gently, but unashamedly, offer Christ and his victory over the grave.
As ever, stay well and safe.
Every Blessing,
Miscellaneous observations on daily life
Don’t judge a book by its movie.
The way some people love to find fault, you’d think there was a reward.
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor. – Benjamin
Franklin
I think there may be insanity in my family. They keep asking me for money.
It turns out that being an adult now is mostly just googling how to do stuff.
We would be glad to pay as we go, if only we could catch up paying for where we
have been.

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PARISH DIARY FOR MARCH 2021
PUBLIC WORSHIP TO RESUME THIS MONTH IN THIS PARISH -
SEE DETAILS BELOW
CHURCH CLUBS & GROUPS REMAIN SUSPENDED
ST JOHN’S CHURCH REMAINS OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER
Enquiries regarding baptisms, weddings, or marriage blessings
are always welcome. Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are said privately for the Life of the Parish.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm Saturdays)
The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and
made available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources
Mon 1 St David, Patron Saint of Wales
Tues 2 8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications Committee
Zoom
Weds 3 11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
8.00pm Church Meeting: Fundraising Committee Zoom
Thurs 4 8.00pm Social: Happy Hour Zoom
Sun 7 Third Sunday of Lent
10.00am Parish Eucharist Website
Weds 10 11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
Sun 14 Fourth Sunday of Lent - Mothering Sunday
10.00am Parish Eucharist Website
Tues 16 8.00pm PCC meeting Zoom
Weds 17 St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
8.00pm MASJ meeting Zoom
Fri 19 St Joseph of Nazareth
Cont’d….

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PUBLIC WORSHIP RESUMES
Sun 21 Fifth Sunday of Lent - Passion Sunday
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Mass St Francis’
11.30am No Service at St Stephen’s
12noon tbc Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm No Evening Service
Tues 23 8.00pm Fundraising Committee Zoom
Weds 24 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm GSS Office and Mass St Francis’
Thurs 25 The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sun 28 PALM SUNDAY
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist with Blessing of Palms St John’s
10.00am Mass with Blessing of Palms St Francis’
11.30am No Service at St Stephen’s
6.30pm Virtual Service for Passiontide Website
Mon 29 Holy Monday
8.00pm Holy Communion with Reflection St John’s
Tues 30 Holy Tuesday
8.00pm Holy Communion with Reflection St John’s
Weds 31 Holy Wednesday
10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Virtual Stations of the Cross Website
April:
Thurs 1 MAUNDY THURSDAY
8.00pm Parish Eucharist without washing of feet St John’s
followed by The Watch

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April:
Fri 2 GOOD FRIDAY
10.00am All Age Stations of the Cross St John’s Churchyard
2.00pm An Hour at the Cross St John’s
Sat 3 Holy Saturday
8.00pm Easter Vigil St Francis’
Sun 4 EASTER DAY
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist of Easter St John’s
with Easter Ceremonies
10.00am Mass of Easter Day St Francis’
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen’s
No Evening Service
Easter Story
The thud of nails on open palms,
‘Father forgive’ was all He said,
‘Finished’ was His final cry,
As death approached God bowed His head.
Born of a woman He entered our world,
Fully man yet fully divine,
Such is the mystery beyond comprehension
That One such as this should step into time.
He came to die and rise again
The first fruits of the Father’s love,
That man should follow in His train
On wings of light to realms above.
By Megan Carter

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Financial Sustainability – The Unpalatable Lesson from Lockdown: “Giving’s
Got to Grow”
Last month I explained how the Parish had survived 2020 financially – essentially
by withholding part of the Parish Share requested by St Albans Diocese. Going
forward, however, we cannot rely on such actions – at least not if we wish to
continue enjoying the services of our own clergy.
Talking to the Diocesan finance team and other parish treasurers during 2020 it
became clear that most (but by no means all) parishes in the Diocese have been
able to maintain full Parish Share Contributions and there appear to be two
routes to doing so.
One is Endowments – Investment Funds established from Legacies and other
gifts that generate an income sufficient to cover Parish costs.
The other is having sufficient Planned Giving.
We have neither currently, but your Finance Committee is determined to run a
campaign this year that might lead us to both.
We do have one significant Endowment Fund, the Centenary Fund, established
by parishioners in the 1970s but the income from it can only be used for the
repair, renewal and improvement of the fabric of our churches (and is, anyway,
currently being re-invested to repay capital borrowed for the Organ Project).
What is needed is a fund whose income can be applied more generally and this
year’s campaign will, to this end, include action on legacies and gifts.
But the biggest lesson from recent Lockdowns is that we cannot continue to rely
on income from our Halls and Fundraising initiatives to “balance the Books”.
Such income should go to facilitate improvements and new initiatives, as and
when its available. If we are going to be self-sufficient, with a sustainable future,
then regular, planned, giving has got to grow and future articles will look at how
that might be achieved.
Chris Angell, Parish Treasurer

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Covid-19 Update
It has been a real joy to hear from so many of you in recent weeks that you have
received your first dose of the vaccine. This is a very positive step forward in the
long road to return to some sort of normality. Following the Prime Minister’s
announcement regarding his roadmap to recovery here are some things we have
planned for this Parish:
• Public Worship to resume on Sunday 21 March – Passion Sunday.
• All previously enforced Covid-secure measures to apply throughout the
Parish:
* Face coverings to be worn in all our buildings
* Hand sanitiser to be used on arrival and exit
* Track and Trace will be in operation
* Social distancing to be observed both inside and outside our
buildings
* Socialising in accordance with Government regulations
* Congregational singing still prohibited
* Communion to be administered in one kind – The body of Christ
• Online provision for those who remain shielding.
• Pastoral Services to resume in accordance with Government regulations
Lent
I hope this Lent you are being kind to yourselves and not taken on a Lenten disci-
pline that is too demanding. We have all lived 11 months of Lent (or at least it has
felt like that) so please do not feel guilt ridden if you have not chosen a Lenten
discipline this year. One simple thing you might like to do, if you haven’t been
doing so already, is joining me for Compline (Night Prayer) once or twice a week
during these remaining weeks of Lent and partaking of this very simple, calming
prayer service. It is a great way to deepen your prayer life and grow in relationship
with Jesus Christ.
Online Services
Once again I should like to extend my sincere thanks to Keith Beniston for the
fabulous job he is doing in making our services available online. If you haven’t yet
joined us for worship they can be found on our website at
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources From 21 March -
when we hope to be back worshipping together physically – we will continue to
pre-record and offer online our Sunday morning service which will be aired at the
same time as our Parish Eucharist. It may well be slightly simplified but I will keep
you informed via the Newsletter.

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Mothering Sunday: 14 March
Last Year Mothering Sunday was the first Sunday when Public Worship was
suspended by order of the Archbishops. This year it will hopefully be the last
Sunday when physical worship is suspended.
Due to the very nature of being online it will not be possible for us to celebrate
Mothering Sunday in our usual way. However, plans are in motion to have little
posies of flowers available in the porch of St John’s for you (and anyone who
wants one) to come and collect. Full details will be shared via the Newsletter
nearer the time.
Holy Week and Easter
Last year Holy Week and Easter was very different to normal. I recall offering the
Triduum in my Study on behalf of the Parish; watching before the Blessed Sacra-
ment on Maundy Thursday and praying for you all, and the life and wellbeing of
our country. Conducting the Easter Vigil in my garden and making this available
on the website – my first foray into online worship. This year the hope is that we
will be able to be back worshipping together with provision made for those
unable to return physically. Details of all our Services during Holy Week and
Easter will be published this month via my weekly Letter to Parishioners and the
Newsletter.
Easter is the most important festival for Christians and I urge you to make your
Communion on Easter Day as The Church celebrates afresh the resurrection of
Jesus Christ and the new life he brings. You may find it beneficial to come to one
(or more) of the Services during Holy Week as we travel with Christ towards his
death and resurrection, and explore through prayer, readings, and meditation
the sacrificial cost of Christ’s love for us all. You will be most welcome.
Easter plans for Junior Church
One of the biggest sadness's of lockdown has been the way our work with
children and young people has been so badly affected. Plans are in place to
provide Easter materials for our Junior Church including an online Messy Church,
outdoor Stations of the Cross, Easter Garden making competition, and much
more. We are not sure when Tiny Tots will be able to resume but resources are
soon to be made available on our website for parents/careers and toddlers to
use.
Thank you for your support
I should like to offer my sincere thanks to you all for the way in which you have
prayed for me – as I have for you – during these strange and difficult times. I have
been greatly encouraged by your support as I have sought to make the light of
Christ known during the dark times of pandemic. Cont’d...

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I know I have not always got it right but my motivation has always been to serve
you in the name of our Lord Jesus. Please continue to pray for me – and each
other – as we come out of lockdown and establish a ‘new normal’.
APCM 2021
Coming hard on the heels of our delayed 2020 APCM in October comes the
APCM for 2021. This will be on Sunday 25 April following the 10.00am Parish
Eucharist at St John’s. Once again this is your chance to have a say in how the
Parish operates and help us set the vision for the future. It is a chance for you to
offer yourself to serve our common life on the PCC or as a churchwarden/PCC
Secretary, sidesperson, or some other role. Please think about how you can
serve Christ by serving one another in this parish.
Electoral Roll
In due course, ahead of the APCM, the Parish’s Electoral Roll will once again be
open for amendments. It is interesting to note that many of our regular worship-
ping community are not currently on the Roll. Please consider adding yourself, or
amending your details if they have changed, so that the Roll can give as accurate
an account of our worshipping community as possible.
****************
An easy way for fathers to feel closer to their children
When fathers work with their children on puzzles, it helps them grow closer,
because their brains ‘synchronise’. This leads them to being more
‘psychologically in tune’ with each other.
A study at the University of Essex said that “the synchronising of brain activity is
interesting, because we knew it happened between mothers and children, but
didn’t know if the same was true with fathers.
“This is important for two reasons. It shows that men are biologically wired to
provide off-spring care; and second, dads are increasingly being recognised as
care-givers and attachment figures to their children.”

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Congratulations to Fr Ben Weitzmann and Miss Elizabeth Griffiths on their
Marriage held on Saturday, 6th February 2021 at The Church of the Ascension,
Portsea. We wish them every happiness and blessing for their future together.
Photos by “Eames Photography”

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The Rectory
St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren
So, your Vicar has introduced staff appraisal for all the officers who work for your
church, including yourself. It seems a very dangerous innovation; as far as I am
concerned, ministry is only successful when parishioners have no idea what the
clergy get up to.
I imagine that he will look at the number of services you take in a year. Funerals
can only be increased if you resort to murder, which is likely to be frowned on –
although I have been sorely tempted during endless church council meetings.
Perhaps if you take a flask of water wherever you go and if you find a baby
unattended, you could resort to a spontaneous baptism. That would get your
numbers up, even if returning mothers may marvel at the highly localised and
brief shower that seemed to have taken place over the pram.
Visiting targets are easily increased. Compile a list of when parishioners will be out
and call on those days; a card through their letterbox will prove to your Vicar that
you were there. Should they happen to be in, mention that you are collecting for
the organ fund and they will immediately excuse themselves for an important
appointment. You are then free to move on to clock another visit.
Your Vicar is also bound to want to see the congregation increasing. This is not
sustainable, and you should put a stop to such ambitions at once. It is easily done.
All you have to do is to approach your friends at the local football club and bribe
them with your homemade beer to come along to church several Sunday morn-
ings in a row. If you give them enough beer BEFORE the service, they will be likely
to make just enough muted disruption as to leave your vicar a bit rattled, and
thinking that perhaps after all, ‘less’ is ‘more’ when it comes to the congregation.
But whatever you do, make sure that you never preach a better sermon than he
does. You don’t want anyone thanking you at the door for your ‘so interesting
sermon’ in front of him, when they have been sleeping through his sermons for
years. If you offend the Vicar this way, he will take swift revenge, and ask you to
organise the parish summer fete.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace

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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
SMILE-LINES
Knock knock
A conscientious minister decided to get acquainted with a new family in
his church and so he visited them one Spring evening. After his knock on
the door, a lilting voice from within called out, “Is that you, Angel?”
“No,” replied the minister. “But I’m from the same department.”
Switched on
A housewife was helping her aged mother get up the stairs on their
brand-new stair lift when the minister telephoned her. He was horrified
to hear her say: “I’m so sorry, but I’ll have to ring you back. I can’t talk
right now because I’ve finally got Mother in the electric chair and I’m
eager to press the switch and see if it works!

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

20. - 18 -

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BOOK REVIEW
God in the Garden
By Philip Eley, Kevin Mayhew, £12.99
This book offers you a year of weekly Bible reflec-
tions that follow the seasons and changes of the
gardener’s year. That may make it a good gift for
gardener’s, organic food growers, families with
allotments and fans of our Wild Worship series.
The devotions help to encourage consistent
devotional time – outside with God and deepening
a spiritual relationship.

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Alliterative Quiz Questions - March 2021
1 Range of miniature models of real English and Welsh cottages
2 Nickname of the baseball player DeMaggio
3 DCI Jim Taggart first played by this actor
4 An edible-pod pea with rounded pods and thick pod walls
5 Fictional character, protagonist of Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita
6 Dambusters weapon developed by Barnes Wallis
7 Played Dave Best in The Royle Family
8 Julian, Dick, Anne, Georgina and Timmy
9 Bill and Hilary's only daughter
10 Bronze age site near Peterborough, with timber causeway
11 Mascot on box of liquorice allsorts
12 Articulated vehicle used in London public transportation
13 6' 7" actor in Carry On films, and Private Popplewell in The Army Game
14 German painter 16th century, famous for 'The Ambassadors'
15 Beer glass or mug holds ½ litre (about), used to made of pewter
16 Whiteleaf Road shop selling coverings for walls or floors
17 Viking King of Norway, tried to invade England 1066
18 Home stadium for AC Milan football club
19 Director of 'When Harry Met Sally'. Was in 'All in the family' in 1970's
20 Drummer of The Shadows in the 1960's
21 Brunel's Great Britain in Bristol Harbour is an example
22 Who is asked to 'Lay a little egg for me'
23 C S Forester character - Napoleonic War era Royal Navy officer
24 Leading theory about how the universe began
25 Tie a yellow ribbon round this tree
Good luck!
Thanks to Alan Munford for providing these quizzes.
Please see page 27 for answers to February’s Quiz

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Prayer for Families
Dear Father God,
In this month, when we especially think about mothers, we thank you
for the families and friends you have given us. You know how hard it has
been to have been separated over these past months, how much we
have missed and longed for their hugs, their physical presence and
fellowship.
As we hold on to the hope of overcoming the pandemic, help us to be
strengthened by the power of the love we receive – and to strengthen
others by the love we give.
May we know that, wherever we are, whatever our circumstances, we
and our loved ones are held safe and connected by your unfailing love
for us, revealed in Jesus – who is alive – and from whom nothing, no
pandemic, no man-made turmoil, absolutely nothing and no-one can
separate us, when we put our trust in Him.
Thank you, Father, that we belong to your family. Thank you for the love
and security we have in you.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Daphne Kitching

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the January Music
Percentage Club draw:
Garth Bridgwood 1st £15
Jennie Whitefield 2nd £8
Catherine Holness 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
*************
Movement over mind?
Exercise can be just as effective as mindfulness when it comes to reducing
your stress and anxiety. Such is the conclusion of a recent study at
Cambridge University.
Mindfulness is a form of meditation which involves focusing your thoughts
and sensations, and it has become popular in recent years. But now Cam-
bridge University experts say that it should not be assumed that medita-
tion will always have a positive impact. Instead, people can reap mental
benefits from physical exercise.
As one doctor said: “The main message here is, don’t assume mindfulness
will work. We have much more evidence for the mental and physical
benefits of physical exercise.”
Last year it was found that people who exercised for 30 to 60 minutes at a
time, for two to six hours a week, recorded the fewest days of poor mental
health per month.

25. - 23 -
APRIL 2021 EDITION - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the joint edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 7th March.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
monthly basis, please email alan.munford@btinternet.com or telephone him on
01442 242543 or complete your details below and return tear-off slip to:
Mr. Alan Munford, 16 St Nicholas Mount, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BB
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
...........................................................................................................................
Contact Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………...

26. - 24 -
Tribute to Sheila Charge
by Tom Bridle, grandson
Today (Wednesday, 20th January) we say goodbye to Sheila Charge, my
Nana.
She was born in a snowstorm in 1927 in Garston, where she lived until she
was aged 2. Some years ago Nana and I decided to drive on a whim up to
Garston to see the house in which she was born, and we were invited in
by the kindly occupants who showed us around- it clearly had quite an
effect on her as her childhood was otherwise quite interrupted.
She and her parents moved to South West London when she was 2 years-
old, where she lived until the war broke out and she was evacuated to
Guildford. She has told us many stories of those days- from the time that
she was May Queen at school twice, to her immense pride, and the
experiences she had during her evacuation. She told me recently that
having initially thought that standing at the front of the queue would
assure her of a better placement, she instead found herself being cared
for an elderly couple who had no desire to have or look after children -
quite a tough situation for a teenager to find themselves in. I think this
uprooting and changing gave Nana a strong yearning for stability and
comfort, which she found in her adult life.
In 1944 the family relocated to Hemel Hempstead, where she would
spend the rest of her live. Nana worked in Watford and joined a local ball-
room dancing group. She loved dancing, singing and music and this then
led her in turn to the operatic society, which would prove to be the
cornerstone of her life for the next 60 years. It was through the operatic
society that she met Henry, her husband and my grandad, who would
request use of her typewriter and come over for chats that eventually
turned to romance. They were married in 1958 and had a wonderful
marriage- they were different types of people with Nana being very
gregarious and extroverted and Grandad being more creative and
introspective- but they complimented each other perfectly and you
seldom heard a cross word exchanged between them. They helped me to
see that a relationship can have happiness and longevity based on mutual
trust and respect. Cont’d….

27. - 25 -
The other thing I learned from them was the importance of placing value
upon the things you own. Having both grown up in the era of rationing
and food shortages, they were always very conscious of using everything,
reusing everything and never allowed anything to go to waste unneces-
sarily. Nana was a keen costume designer and used to love using old or
recycled material to make costumes and props, including using wine
gums as jewels on goblets for Orpheus in the Underworld! That’s not to
say, however, that they were not incredibly generous people who gave
what they had to their family, often helped with local charity collections
and were significant contributors to this church for several decades.
In 1959 Nana gave birth to their only daughter, Elizabeth, my Mum.
Despite the demands of a baby, they managed to continue their roles in
the operatic society, appearing in countless plays and musicals over the
years. One song in particular from a Gilbert and Sullivan musical always
reminds my Mum of Nana, and I’d like to play it now…
As Mum grew up, she eventually met her husband Mark, again through
amateur dramatics, and the two of them married in 1982. Nana was
working as a teacher at Dacorum College during this time and had the
dubious pleasure of attempting to teach my Dad before he’d ever met
my Mum, meaning that the Bridle name was always well known to her by
the time my parents crossed each other’s paths. I came along in 1984 and
my sister Kate followed two-and-half years later. By then Nana and Gran-
dad were retired and now enjoying a plethora of holidays abroad, includ-
ing having the opportunity to travel the world in 1987.
Growing up we spend a lot of time with our grandparents. Looking back
now I’m grateful for the quiet, modest and consistent presence they
provided. Anyone who knew my Nana will know that she could talk to
anyone, any time, about anything, and often at considerable length. She
had an astonishing memory for dates and details which allowed her to
tell very vivid stories about her life experiences. Both of them were help-
ful, contributed to their local community but equally had a very humble
sense of their own place in the World, always grateful for what they had
and content within their modest rhythms and routines. We were lucky to
have them as grandparents. Cont’d…..

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Nana continued to follow her routines well into her retirement, continued
driving and walking and remained involved in the operatic and the church
for as long as she was able. She had an astonishing number of friends
from all over the country and even further afield, and managed to keep in
regular touch with most of them until close to the end. She was popular
because she was full of life, could keep you talking for hours and cared
about other people’s lives. It only in the last few years, as she wrestled
with the effects of cancer, the enormous loss of my Grandad and a stroke
that she began to rest, and my Mum worked tirelessly to try and ensure
she had the care she needed.
In the end she passed away peaceful at a tremendous age of 93, having
led a happy, meaningful life. And while it was her time to rest, we’ll miss
her terribly and thank her for everything she bought to our lives.
*************
Nigel Beeton writes: For those of us fortunate enough to have gardens one
reliable source of joy and pleasure over the past dark months has been the birds
visiting our gardens. I even saw goldfinches in mine, they are not common visitors
but it’s lovely to see them when they come! They really are spectacular birds!
The Goldfinch
A flash of yellow, gold, and red
Dancing in our flower bed
Flocked together, bringing charm
Their joyful song restoring calm.
Through centuries since times of old
We’ve always loved their plumage bold;
As they gathered round to feed
Seeking grubs, and thistle seed.
So, go ahead, and plant some thistles
You will see, among the bristles.
Golden birds who dance and dart
Bringing joy to warm your heart.
By Nigel Beeton

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Answers to February Quiz
1 Simon Schama
2 Billy Bunter
3 Brass Band
4 Belgian Bun
5 Costa Coffee
6 Cambridge Colleges
7 Be Bop
8 Fish Fingers
9 Flat Feet
10 Double Decker
11 Pop Pickers
12 Millicent Martin
13 PC Plod
14 Fifty fifty
15 Mount Merapi
16 Mick Mars
17 Child Catcher
18 Millie Mackintosh
19 Baron Bomburst
20 Dixon of Dock Green
21 Mr Men
22 Tag Team
23 Barbara Bush
24 Triple Twenty
25 Gareth Gates

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Our parish Buddying scheme - a network of loving care and connection.
Come the end of March 2021 the Parish Buddy Network will have been in place –
in some form or another – for a year. Instigated at the start of Lockdown 1.0, the
Network was envisaged as a means of keeping in contact with those of our
membership whom we knew to be either living on their own, have a pre-existing
health condition, or be otherwise ‘vulnerable’ during that time. The Vicar (who at
the time might well have been sick with Covid-19) and Ruth worked together to
bring about this network where many who exercise leadership roles in the Parish
were asked to contact three or four people, on a regular basis, to see how they
were and relay any concerns they had back to the Clergy. The overwhelming
response was positive with buddies accepting their new responsibilities with glee
and often making new friendships.
As Lockdown went on, it became evident that the pandemic was here to stay for
some time. Ruth, who was instrumental in reforming the Pastoral Care Network of
the Parish during her time here, was charged with updating the ‘Buddy List’ to
include more members of the Church membership in recognition that our usual
ways of staying in touch through clubs and services was not going to return for
some time. More ‘Buddies’ were called upon and the scheme expanded, again
with relevant information passing between ‘buddies’ and the clergy.
As a scheme, it is fair to say it has been a highly effective and helpful way for the
Church community to stay connected during these difficult months. Although time
seemed to stand still during Lockdown 1.0 it was clear that the clergy could not
call every one of our membership each week, but sharing this out has created
friendships, and a stronger identity within the Church community.
Last autumn, with the news that Ruth was leaving the Ministry Team, the Vicar
asked me to hold the mantle of overseeing the scheme. Going in and out of Lock-
down (twice) has added a new dynamic to the scheme as some ‘buddies’ were
able to catch-up in person in church, whilst others stuck with the telephone. But
one thing that has become clear is how valued this scheme has become. Sadly,
not everyone is on the scheme yet – partly because of the way the scheme has
grown and partly because of a lack of contact details – but it is hoped that as we
move forward to Church as ‘normal’, the Buddy scheme will become part of our
‘new normal’ and a way of growing relationships and staying in contact. Caring for
each other is not solely the preserve of the Ministry Team – no matter how good
they are at it – but rather the joy and responsibility of us all. I hope this small seed
– planted during the most trying of circumstances – may grow and mature over
the coming years and transform the way we relate as a Church community.

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If you have any comments, questions, suggestions about our buddying scheme,
please do let me or the Vicar know. It will always be a work in progress!
Carole Lewis
Many congratulations to Miriam Reveley of
The Girl Choristers of Ely Cathedral Choir
who has passed her Associateship of the
Royal College of Organists' diploma (ARCO).
It's highly unusual for organists to achieve
this diploma while still at school. The RCO
diplomas are the world's most coveted and
prestigious qualifications for organists. It's
very exciting news and everyone at Ely Cathedral is very proud.
Miriam is the King’s Ely and Ely Cathedral Sixth Form Organ Scholar.
Last year she was awarded her CRCO diploma (becoming a Colleague of the Royal
College of Organists) and today is was announced that she has been successful in
the ARCO examination (Associate of the Royal College of Organists).
Miriam has been a student at King’s Ely since joining in Year 9 as a girl chorister
of the Ely Cathedral Choir. She is currently studying Music, History, and Religious
Studies at A Level.
Miriam hopes to take a gap year as Organ Scholar at Dean Close School and
Tewkesbury Abbey before reading Music as an Organ Scholar at University and
pursuing a career in music.
Miriam’s response: “I am delighted to have been awarded the ARCO Diploma. It
has certainly been a challenge, but I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn more
repertoire, improve my keyboard skills, and study music theory and history. I am
hoping to take my FRCO during my gap year as the organ scholar at Tewkesbury
Abbey and The Dean Close School, Cheltenham.”
(Miriam is the daughter of The Reverend James Reveley, former Vicar of St. John’s and now
Residentiary Canon of Ely Cathedral)

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at St John’s
in the month of January 2021
HOLY BAPTISM
No Baptisms were conducted in January
HOLY MATRIMONY
No Weddings were conducted in January
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
20 January Peter Thomas Wing Branksome Close
20 January Beryl Sheila Charge Adeyfield
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
No Burials of Ashes were conducted in January

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SMILE-LINES
Things we would not have known without Sunday School
With your eyes closed for prayer, anything can happen in a room full of
pre-schoolers.
Squash and song motions do not mix.
When dropped, offering money always rolls to the other side of the room.
Children’s prayer requests reveal a lot about their parents.

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor