This document provides information about clergy members and services at the Parish Church of St John in Boxmoor. It lists the vicar, associate minister, and lay reader along with their contact details. It outlines the Sunday and weekday service schedule. It also includes advertisements for a painter and decorator and magazine advertising. The vicar's letter discusses preparations for the new school year and restarting church activities in September after lockdown. It provides the parish diary and events for September 2020.

3. - 1 -
PARISH CHURCH OF ST JOHN
BOXMOOR
CLERGY
Vicar: The Reverend Michael Macey 01442 243258
Boxmoor Vicarage
10 Charles Street, HP1 1JH
Day off: Friday
Email: vicar@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Associate Minister: The Reverend Canon Dr Ruth Goatly 07961 980158
23 Beechfield Road, Boxmoor, HP1 1PP
Normally available: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday
Email: associateminister@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Lay Reader: Mrs Carole Lewis 01442 231414
61 River Park, Boxmoor, HP1 1RB
Day off: Wednesday
Email: lewicarole@gmail.com
SUNDAY SERVICES
8.00 am BCP Holy Communion (Every Sunday)
9.30 am Main Morning Service:
Week 1 - All Age Eucharist
Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 - Parish Eucharist
Junior Church (3-11 Sunday School) in Church Hall
(There is no Junior Church on 1st Sunday of month)
11.30 am Weeks 1 & 3 - Holy Baptism
6.30 pm Evening Services:
Week 1 - BCP Holy Communion with hymns and sermon
Week 2 - Choral Evensong
Week 3 - Taizé Service
Week 4 - Evensong and Benediction (at St. Francis)
Week 5 - As announced
WEEKDAY SERVICES
Daily Morning and Evening Prayer:
9.00 am - Morning Prayer (Daily - except Sundays)
5.00 pm - Evening Prayer
Monday 7.30 pm - Holy Communion
Tuesday 9.30 am - Tiny Tots for under fives and parents
including Refreshments - Service finishes by 11.00 am
Wednesday 10.30 am - Holy Communion (followed by coffee in church)
(Prayers for Healing on the 4th Monday of each month
(7.30pm during Holy Communion) and the 3rd Wednesday Morning of
every other month (10 am Service of Prayer for Healing prior to the Holy
Communion Service)
Enquiries concerning Thanksgivings, Baptisms and Weddings in the
church office: Tuesdays from 6.30 pm to 7.15 pm (Please note during winter months
6.45 pm to 7.30 pm)

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

5. - 3 -
VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
The end of August and the beginning of September usually herald
a frenzy of activity as clubs and societies, schools and universities,
friends and work colleagues return from their summer break.
Children are preparing to start a new school year and possibly
even a new school or go up to university; parents are busy making sure school and
club uniforms fit, shoes bought, and everything labelled (thank God for sticky
labels is all I can say!); teachers and club leaders have mapped-out the curriculum
and activities for the term ahead; and work colleagues are once again back into
the daily routine. It’s so nice to be able to talk about something so usual and
normal actually taking place in 2020! Of course, by the time September comes
round circumstances might have changed. But for the time being it is quite
comforting (even energising) to be able plan for something that symbolises a new
start.
I suspect I am not alone in wanting this year to be over. So many hopes and
dreams have been dashed; so much pain and distress has been experienced by so
many; so much isolation and loneliness. It’s not been fun. And although there are
still 3 months until the end of the year (which will no doubt pass sooner than we
think) the new beginning September ushers in is a moment for us to draw a line in
the sand and start again. As a Parish things will be starting-up again, albeit taking
into consideration the various regulations and restrictions: St Francis’ and
St Stephen’s will once again have regular Sunday morning services (please see the
Diary pages and The Vicar writes pages for details); Baptisms will take place again;
our work with schools and children will resume – starting with a Children’s Praise
Service and Picnic on Sunday 6 September; our Halls will be available for clubs and
societies to meet in; Evening services will resume; and our choir will be permitted
to sing on our behalf although it looks highly unlikely that we, the congregation,
will be able to resume hymn singing for some time to come. Things are starting
again.
Recently I have conducted quite a few one-on-one Baptism preparations sessions
with families. During these I have been reminded that in the Baptism service I ask
if the candidate/parents/godparents will repent of their sins. The word repent is
usually understood to mean sorry – a helpful interpretation – but it also means to
turn around, to start again. We are invited at baptism to stop walking in the ways
of sin, to turn around and start walking in the opposite direction in the ways of
Christ. And at the moment of Baptism we are quite literally born again into this
new life in Christ by buried in the waters of Christ’s death and resurrection and
rising to new life with him.

6. - 4 -
As Christians our Baptism shapes our existence. It not only provides our starting
point but also shapes the journey we are to take through life – a life of discovering
God’s nature and character and the unique relationship we share; a life framed by
the values of his Kingdom of love, justice, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness to
name just a few; a life where we can start over provided we repent (in both
senses) and amend our ways.
As we start again as a society and a Church after lockdown perhaps this under-
standing of starting again, of repenting, will be helpful to us. Perhaps there are
things we were doing pre-lockdown (and even during) of which we need to
repent? Perhaps there were things we were doing that need to stop? Perhaps our
compass needs re-setting to follow in the ways of Christ? Perhaps we need to
return to the Church gathered and take our place once more among our friends in
offering prayer and praise to God’s holy name? If this is the case, and you are
anxious about coming out, please speak with a member of clergy who can advise
on which services are most appropriate.
As ever, my prayers and blessings to you all.
BOOK REVIEW
Time to Pray – Prayer During the Day and Night from
Common Worship - CHP, 3.99
Time to Pray contains a simplified Daily Office: a pattern of
prayer, praise and Bible reading. to help you take a break
during the day, give thanks to God, and lift your needs to
Him.
It is suitable for those seeking a simpler form of daily prayer or those just
beginning a regular routine of time with God. Prayer During the Day can be
said at any time when you have space to pause, while Night Prayer is an
uplifting and beautiful way to end your day.
Straightforward and flexible to use, Time to Pray will draw you into a tradi-
tion that has been practised by Christians throughout the centuries and
continues to be shared across the word today.

7. - 5 -
PARISH DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 2020
PUBLIC WORSHIP OFFERED
AT ST JOHN’S, ST FRANCIS’ & ST STEPHEN’S
SERVICES WILL BE SUBJECT TO RULES AND GUIDANCE ISSUED
BY THE NATIONAL CHURCH & GOVERNMENT
PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE
ALL CHURCH CLUBS & GROUPS REMAIN SUSPENDED
Enquiries regarding baptisms, weddings, or marriage blessings are
always welcome. Please contact the Vicar
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are said Monday-Friday, 9.00am & 5.00pm
respectively, for the life of the parish, in St John’s unless otherwise stated below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.30pm for private prayer.
St Francis’ is open Wednesday 3.00pm-5.00pm for private prayer.
The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and made
available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources
Weds 2 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Zoom Coffee Morning
Thurs 3 12.30pm Funeral: Linda Gair St John’s
8.15pm Zoom Happy Hour
Sat 5 10.00am Burial of Ashes: Joyce Baxter St John’s
12noon Baptism St John’s
Sun 6 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Mass St Francis’
12noon Baptism St John’s
3.00pm Children’s Praise Service & Picnic St John’s
6.30pm Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
Tues 8 9.30am Tiny Tots (TBC) St John’s
Weds 9 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Zoom Coffee Morning
Thurs 10 8.15pm Zoom Happy Hour

8. - 6 -
Sun 13 Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Mass St Francis’
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen’s
6.30pm Choral Evensong St John’s
Mon 14 Holy Cross Day
7.30pm Holy Communion St John’s
Tues 15 9.30am Tiny Tots (TBC) St John’s
8.00pm PCC Meeting location tbc
Weds 16 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Zoom Coffee Morning
Thurs 17 8.15pm Zoom Happy Hour
Sun 20 Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Mass St Francis’
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen’s
12noon Baptism (TBC) St John’s
6.30pm Evening Prayer St John’s
Mon 21 St Matthew, Apostle
Tues 22 9.30am Tiny Tots (TBC) St John’s
Weds 23 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Zoom Coffee Morning
Thurs 24 8.15pm Zoom Happy Hour
Sun 27 ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS (tr)
8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Mass St Francis’
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen’s
12noon Baptism (TBC) St John’s
6.30pm Evensong and Benediction St Francis’
Mon 28 7.30pm Holy Communion St John’s
8.00pm Communications Meeting location tbc
Tues 29 9.30am Tiny Tots (TBC) St John’s
8.00pm Finance Committee location tbc
Weds 30 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Zoom Coffee Morning
8.00pm Fundraising Committee location tbc

9. - 7 -

10. - 8 -
Alliteration Quiz September 2020
(Answers next month)
1 UK Eurovision singer - sang 'Just a Little Bit'
2 Where Tranmere Rovers play football
3 What Cartophilists collect
4 Youth movement founded in Glasgow in 1883
5 An older vehicle, with sufficient historical interest
6 May have to pay it to drive into central London by car
7 Store maintenance man in 'Are you being served'
8 1984 Frankie Goes To Hollywood anti-war song
9 Crippled son of Bob Cratchit in Christmas Carol
10 Number 8 in Bingo
11 Commander of the Droid Army in Star Wars
12 The most mischievous, little creature in the sea. (Emma Adams book)
13 Hapless character in Vicar of Dibley played by James Fleet
14 German tennis player won his first major at age of 17
15 NHS emergency number to call (3 words all the same)
16 Witness to Jesus's crucifixion, burial and resurrection
17 16 cards in this box on a Monopoly Board
18 Main protagonist of The Hobbit
19 Bond Film - On Her Majesty's …... …....
20 Trouble making character in Mrs Browns Boys
21 Winter residence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet from 1649 to 1959
22 US food franchise, with famous pink and white logo
Cont’d…….

11. - 9 -
23 Famous, elegant and expensive street in Rome
24 Improvised mix of liquor that is usually served for group consumption
25 Inishmore, Achill, Clare, Rathin are all what
***********
SMILE-LINES
School
Mother to young daughter after first day at school: “Well, dear, what did
they teach you today?”
Daughter: “Not much. I’ve got to go back again tomorrow.”

12. - 10 -
Budgeting 2021
At the last (virtual) meeting of the PCC’s Finance Committee there was a discus-
sion as to what we should base the Parish’s 2021 budgets on. Inevitably there
were few certainties with which to work and differing views on how Covid-19
might play out. The “mood music” seems to change daily and by the time you read
this anything may have happened.
Dwelling after the meeting on the discussion I was reminded of my early working
days at London Transport and trying to set budgets for an Election Year. The
solution adopted was to prepare three. A “Blue” budget assuming a Conservative
administration at County Hall (basically high fares with grants for capital projects
only), a “Red” budget which assumed Labour would be in power (low fares with
grants split between day to day operations and capital projects) and an
“Armageddon” budget under which central government would take over and no
grants would be available. This led me to wonder what our equivalents might be.
With no political overtones, I think our three versions might be:
1. Assume a quick return to the “old normal” possibly through a vaccine
becoming available this year and budget like its 2019 again.
2. Assume 2021 will see further waves of the virus and consequent Lock
downs until a vaccine is found and, as this year, manage our way through
by withholding Parish Share as necessary to stop us running out of money.
3. Assume no vaccine will ever be found and Social Distancing and occasional
Lockdowns become the “new normal” and budget by “cutting our cloth” to
match permanently reduced income streams.
The one figure we do now have (and arguably the most critical) is the provisional
request for Parish Share 2021. The Diocese has provided numbers earlier than
usual to help us plan and these envisage the stipend element being frozen whilst
the ministry contribution will be reduced. The effect on us is to reduce the overall
amount asked from the Parish (including St Francis) by roundly 2%. Clearly this is a
welcome start, but, at £88,343, the total is more than the £75,000 our three
churches usually raise annually from Planned Giving. If we assume that Collections
and Donations will provide the balance, what will my “Armageddon” budget
allow?
The Finance Committee felt my “new normal” might mean us receiving only half
our historic level of Fees, Fundraising and net Hall incomes which would give us
around £23,000 for 2021.

13. - 11 -
Along with Parish Share the PCC has historically seen insurance as a fixed cost. This
will require £6,000 to protect the fabric and fittings of our three churches leaving
£17,000 for “optional” items. These are essentially:
Providing live music £12,000
Heating, lighting & maintaining the churches £11,000
Secretarial/admin support £ 7,000
Clergy expenses £4,000
Housing for an Assistant Priest/Curate £4,000 (net of income from an endowment
fund)
Materials to support worship £2,000
These are very broad numbers and we’d be assuming things like Magazine profits
and Coffee receipts will offset the necessary sundry costs such as purchasing
housekeeping materials and maintaining the Remembrance Book.
One traditional approach would be to “salami slice” – reduce each expenditure
head pro-rata but the nature of many of our items makes that largely impractical.
So what to do?
In the past the PCC’s preferred approach has been to decide what it wants to do,
cost it and then look for ways of funding the cost, but if Fundraising opportunities
remain constrained in 2021 that will not be possible. The Finance Committee’s
initial conclusion was that we should budget to spend at 2019 levels and use funds
that build up over the remainder of 2020 from withholding some of our Parish
Share (St Francis’s contribution has been paid in full along with the first three
months worth of St John’s/St Stephen’s and more will be sent as we’re able) to
cover the shortfall. We would then pray that the “new normal” looks more like the
“old normal” in 2022 than my version 3 envisages.
Of course if we could just increase Planned Giving by 30% we wouldn’t have to
sacrifice anything.........
Chris Angell, Parish Treasurer

14. - 12 -
Children’s Praise & Picnic
I am delighted that our ministry to children, young people, and their families will
begin again this month with a Children’s Praise Service & Picnic on Sunday 6 Sep-
tember, 3.00pm, at St John’s. The service will last up to 30 mins and include action
songs (we do the actions and the CD sings for us), a story, and prayer. We’ll then
head out in the church yard for a distanced bring-your-own picnic and games.
School age children as also invited to bring their school bags for blessing as schools
return. No need to book but details will be taken for Track and Trace. I look
forward to be overwhelmed with children.
Returning to Public Worship
Regular Public Worship will once again be returning to all our churches this
autumn. All services will be offered within the regulations and restrictions imposed
by the Government and Church nationally. Until we are told otherwise:
• Face coverings will need to be worn.
• Hands will need to be washed/sanitised on entry and exit.
• Social Distancing to be practiced – this will determine capacity in each
church.
• A choir may sing but congregations may not. Most of our music will be via
recordings.
• Baptisms, weddings, and funerals may happen in church but are restricted
to 30 people in church.
• Communion will continue to be offered in one kind only (the bread).
• Track and Trace will be in operation in case there is an outbreak here.
• For the foreseeable future we will continue to record and stream our Parish
Eucharist on our website each week, and any other notable services. Please
see the Newsletter for details.
St John’s will continue to hold an 8.00am Holy Communion Service and a 10.00am
Parish Eucharist. In addition our evening diet of Holy Communion (wk1), Choral
Evensong (wk2) and reversion to Evening Prayer (wk3) will be offered at 6.30pm.
St Francis’ will resume with their weekly Sunday 10.00am Mass from Sunday 6
September. Evening Prayer will also be offered each Wednesday evening at
5.00pm from Wednesday 9 September as will Evensong and Benediction which will
take place on at 6.30pm on the 4th
Sunday of each month.
St Stephen’s will resume on Sunday 13 September with a Service of Holy
Communion at the new time of 11.30am. Thereafter Holy Communion will be
offered at St Stephen’s on the 4th
Sunday of each month at 11.30am and Morning
Worship will be conducted on the remaining Sundays. There will no longer be a
midweek service offered at St Stephen’s.

15. - 13 -
Linda Gair RIP:
It is with great sadness that we reported last month in our Newsletter that Linda
Gair died suddenly and unexpectedly. Her funeral will be on Thursday 3 Septem-
ber at St John’s. Invited mourners will attend the service in church whilst all others
are invited to remain outside and join in with the service in thanksgiving for her
life. External speakers will be arranged so that everything can be heard. Those
attending will be required to socially distance.
Congratulations on your exam results
Amidst all the furore over exam results our congratulations to the young people
associated with St John’s might have gone amiss. Congratulations on those who
gained their A-levels: to Edward Grayson who will be going-up to Oxford Universi-
ty this autumn, and to Jim Shaw who is to take a gap year. Congratulations also to
Jim’s sister, Holly Shaw, on her excellent grades at GCSE and who will now be
going-on to study A-levels at Hemel Hempstead School.
Vanessa’s re-scheduled Ordination
Please continue to pray for Vanessa whose Ordination Service to the Deaconate
has been rescheduled for Saturday 26 September. Restrictions, though, will
prevent the usual large ceremonies and gatherings meaning that we, as a Parish,
will not be able to be present to support her. I will be attending as a representa-
tive of this Parish.
Social Events – on Zoom and in person
Thank you to everyone who has engaged with
our Zoom Coffee Morning and Happy Hour
over recent months. These have been really
helpful in keeping people in touch whilst una-
ble to physically meet-up. During August we
tried a couple of physical Drinks’ dos. The first
was a wash-out with thunder and flooding
(although 10 people did still show-up) and the
second the weather and attendance was
much better. (See photo on page 14). We will
continue to find ways to keep us meeting and talking in the months ahead so that
we don’t become too fragmented and disconnected. I intend to keep the Zoom
Coffee Morning operating until we are able to have fellowship after the Wednes-
day morning Holy Communion service. The Happy Hour will be reviewed each
month and, if there is a willingness to keep it going, we shall. Cont’d….

16. - 14 -
Photo from physical drinks do - Thursday, 20th August
Harvest
Our annual celebration of the Harvest and all the bounty God provides in
creation will shortly be upon us. Restrictions will prevent our usual festivities
but our celebrations will include a special All Age Eucharist, Sunday 4 October
at 10.00am, at which the Bishop of Hertford will preside and preach; a Quiz
Evening, Saturday 3 October at 8.00pm (we are still deciding if this will be a
virtual or physical quiz), and a monetary collection for the Bishop of St Alban’s
Harvest Appeal: Creating a Buzz in Nepal, and a collection of high-needs items
for our Local Food Bank, DENS.
Creating a Buzz in Nepal is a scheme conducted in partnership with Tearfund. It
aims to help as many Nepalese people as possible who are still rebuilding their
lives following the devastation and loss inflicted on the country in April 2015
when almost 22,000 people were injured and 9,000 people died in two huge
earthquakes. Much of the infrastructure collapsed, livelihoods lost, and families
made homeless. Creating a Buzz involves training people to become beekeepers
so as to produce their own honey, both for themselves and to sell. It will stimu-
late both the economy and help pollinate creation – a thoroughly worthy appeal
of our support.
St Francis Patronal Festival
On Sunday 4 October at 6.30pm there will be Sung High Mass with Benediction
in celebration of the Patronal Festival of St Francis, Hammerfield. All our
welcome to join in giving thanks to God for the life and ministry of St Francis of
Assisi, and for the witness of the Church in that part of the Parish. Our guest
preacher is no stranger to this parish: Fr Benjamin Weitzmann, former Curate
and now Vicar in Portsea. (NOTICES CONTINUED ON PAGE 18)

17. - 15 -

18. - 16 -
HALLS FOR HIRE
ST JOHN’S HALL - Well equipped hall suitable for use by special interest
groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and special occasions.
Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary on 07939 226977 or email:
hallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and availabil-
ity.
ST STEPHEN’S HALL, CHAULDEN - (opposite Tudor Rose) - Sunny Hall with
tiled floor suitable for dancing and exercise groups as well as being ideal for
children’s parties. Please contact Jean on 01442 257023 for further
information and availability.
ST FRANCIS HALL, HAMMERFIELD - Well equipped hall suitable for use by
special interest groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and
special occasions. Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary by email: stfran-
cishallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and
availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul
Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908
SMILE-LINES
Late
Being the office supervisor, I had to have a word with a new employee
who never arrived at work on time. I explained that her tardiness was
unacceptable and that other employees had noticed that she was walk-
ing in late every day.
After listening to my complaints, she agreed that this was a problem and
even offered a solution. “Is there another door I could use?”
Writing home
A boy was sent by his parents to a school a long distance from home. He
had been strictly enjoined to write home regularly and tell them all
about himself and his new life. At the end of the first week, his first text
arrived: “There are 370 boys here. I wish there were 369.”

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

20. - 18 -
THE VICAR WRITES CONT’D…..
Confirmation Service
If you are interested in being confirmed this autumn, or would like to explore
what this means, please speak to me or Ruth. Dates for preparation sessions are
being confirmed but will likely start in mid-September – details will appear in the
Newsletter. The Confirmation Service is scheduled to take place on 15 November
at 6.30pm in St John’s.
The Reverend Canon James Reveley
Congratulations to James Reveley, Vicar of
Boxmoor 2004-13, on his Installation as Canon
Residentiary of Ely Cathedral on 15 August. Many
tuned-in to watch both his Installation and first
Sermon via the Cathedral’s website. James will
have particular responsibility for the Cathedral’s
congregation and community – often called
Canon Pastor in other cathedrals. Hopefully we
will be able to have a Parish outing to Ely soon to
wish him well in person. We hope James, Joanna,
Miriam and Hannah settle-well into their new
surroundings.
Photograph produced with the permission of Keith Heppell ©
Thank you …
… to all of you who have continued to pray for the life of the world, the
Church, and each other during these strange times.
… to all who have joined in our worship – either virtually or in person – dur-
ing these past months and those who have enabled our sacrifice of
praise to be offered.
… to those who have cared for and maintained our buildings and grounds,
and those who have made sure our churches are Covid-secure places.
… to all who have phoned, helped, and encouraged neighbours and fellow
members of the Church thus keeping us all connected and safe.
… to all who have continued to support the ministry and mission of the
Church, here, through regular financial offerings.
… for abiding by the many and varied regulations and restrictions we are
under so as to keep everyone safe whilst we gather together.

21. - 19 -
Miscellaneous observations on our Christian walk…
God doesn’t want our success; He wants us. He doesn’t demand our
achievements; He demands our obedience. – Charles Colson
I believe in loyalty to the local church. I don’t believe in that view of the
invisible Church that makes you invisible at church! – Vance Havner
When we are truly abandoned to God, He works through us all the time. –
Oswald Chambers
Prayer is not about doing lots and lots of things, but clearing the space for
God to be there. – Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury
Modern prophets write as though God existed by kind permission of man,
but the prophets of old wrote as though man existed by kind permission
of God. – Anon
It would be even worse to think of those who get what they pray for as
sort of court favourites, people who have influence with the throne. The
refused prayer of Christ in Gethsemane is answer enough to that. – CS
Lewis
I know the Bible is inspired because it finds me at a greater depth of my
being than any other book. – Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Our worship rings hollow if in our daily lives we despoil the world around
us (the proof of God’s provision) and neglect our sisters and brothers who
bear the image of the Creator. – The Rev Andrew Dotchin
A Christian is never in a state of completion but always in a process of
becoming. – Martin Luther
Paul was thankful for others – brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow serv-
ants, ministry partners. In his correspondence Paul didn’t just leave it at
generalised expressions of gratitude – he often took time to identify spe-
cific individuals for whom he was grateful and to let them know how
much he appreciated their contribution to his life. Do we do that? –
Nancy Leigh DeMoss

22. - 20 -
Last week I received a complimentary copy of a newly published book in the post.
Its title is: “Mandala: Way-Wandering” and it is written by someone I have known
over may years now when our paths have crossed in various professional roles and
also personal connections.
If you have not come across a mandala, the word itself is a Sanskrit word meaning
‘circle’ and it is made up of a geometric configuration of symbols. It is perhaps
most associated with various spiritual traditions, particularly in Eastern religions,
and used as a spiritual guidance tool, for establishing a sacred space and as an aid
to meditation. There are some symbols used in Christian spirituality that are
evocative of mandalas, such as the Celtic Cross, rose windows and some
labyrinths, where the single path twists and turns back on itself many times before
reaching the centre and then winds back out. For Christians walking a labyrinth
can be a spiritual exercise, reflecting and listening as you trace or walk the path
inwards, representing a journey towards God, who is always there, present, at the
centre. Then as the path takes you back out, returning to where we have come
from with greater understanding and perhaps also bringing something of God’s
light and peace to the world around us.
There was something of that for my friend in this book he has written, but he also
shaped the text around John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, written around 350
years ago. Through poetry and reflection, he traces his own journey of exploration,
enquiry, faith and search for meaning in life.
I have only begun to read the book, but in the opening chapter was surprised to
find my name written as one among several to whom he expresses gratitude as
fellow travellers. It made me reflect how one way or another we each can be
fellow travellers in life with others, and maybe we are not always aware of the
impact and influence we are having on them.
These last few months we have all been travelling some difficult winding, paths,
living in a time of devastating pandemic. It has affected each of us in so many
different ways and we are still facing uncertainty as each day it seems something
else changes in how we should behave, where we can go, who we can meet with,
what the future is going to look like.
Maybe it has caused some of you, as it has me, to reflect on our life journeys and
the people who have been fellow travellers, times when paths have crossed for a
while - or a lifetime, and given thanks for those with whom we have shared our
journeys of faith and understanding and search for meaning of life.
Cont’d…..

23. - 21 -
These reflections might have led us to moments of joy and pleasure in remember-
ing and well as perhaps time of sadness, even regret, but grateful even so for what
we have learned and gained as a result.
I will enjoy reading “Mandala: Way-Wandering”, but already it has prompted me
to determine to make time to express my thanks to others who have been
important to me in my life journeys - many of whom of course are here in
Boxmoor - but perhaps most of all to remember that whatever challenges, twists
and turns, uncertainties, God is always there waiting for us at the centre.
Ruth Goatly
**********
A grain of sand at a time
This autumn, do you feel overwhelmed with all the things that you need to
get done? Then think of your life as an hourglass. There are thousands of
grains of sand in the top of the hourglass; and they all pass slowly and
evenly through the narrow neck in the middle.
We are like that hourglass. When we start in the morning, there are
hundreds of tasks which we feel that we must accomplish that day. But if
we do not take them one at a time and let them pass through the day
slowly and evenly, as do the grains of sand passing through the narrow
neck of the hourglass, then we are bound to break our own fragile physical
and mental structure. Do not attempt more than God designed you to do.

24. - 22 -
'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to our July Draw Winners;
Sheila James 1st £15
Marion Roff 2nd £8
Lorraine Ioannou 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
Nigel Beeton writes: “One facility that has now reopened after lockdown is
the tea shop. Oh, how I’ve missed tea shops!”
A cup of joy!
A tea shop is a wondrous place
Where I for one just love to be!
A place to rest from life’s harsh pace
And sit and drink a cup of tea!
Indeed, it’s time to take a rest!
From all life’s pressures, take a break!
And just today it might be best
To have a slice of home-made cake!

25. - 23 -
OCTOBER 2020 EDITION - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the next edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 6th September.
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 -
Celebrating 400th
anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower
If we find it difficult to cross the Atlantic just now, it was
even worse 400 years this month. On 6th
September
1620, 102 determined Puritans climbed on board the
Mayflower and set sail from Plymouth. They had 30
crew to steer them across 3000 miles of open, perilous
ocean.
Those Puritans, or ‘Pilgrim fathers’, could never have dreamed that their
journey would become one of the most influential in world history. Their
courage and purpose for the voyage would help shape the very history
and culture of the USA.
The Pilgrim fathers themselves were in search of religious freedom and a
new life. Years before they had rejected the Church of England, due to its
Roman Catholic past, and in 1608 they had moved to Holland, where they
could worship freely. But life was very hard there, and so the New World
beckoned to them.
They had originally intended to use two ships, but the Speedwell sprang a
leak shortly after sailing, and so they crowded as many as possible into the
Mayflower. After a long and difficult 10 weeks at sea, they reached
America, but could not reach their intended destination, Virginia, because
of heavy seas. They finally landed in Provincetown Harbour, Cape Cod,
Massachusetts on 11th
November.
That presented the next great challenge: the bitter, harsh winter of
Massachusetts. Half of the Pilgrims perished that first winter, of hunger
and cold. Without the help of the local Indigenous peoples to teach them
food-gathering and other survival skills, all of the colony would probably
have perished.
After months of hard work, by the ‘Fall’ of 1621 the tiny colony had its first
harvest. They celebrated this great achievement with their new Indige-
nous friends. It became Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had been convinced
that God wanted them to go to the New World. Cont’d…….

27. - 25 -
They wrote: "We verily believe and trust the Lord is with us, and that He
will graciously prosper our endeavours according to the simplicity of our
hearts therein.”
The Mayflower was one of the earliest pilgrim vessels, and so became a
cultural icon in the history of the United States. This year, until coronavirus
put a stop to things, many celebrations in the USA, England and the Neth-
erlands had been planned.
Feel the tug
Have you ever wondered how you can be certain about who and what God
really is? One Christian put it this way: “I’m reminded of the story of the
little boy who was out flying a kite. The wind was brisk and large billowing
clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and up until it was
entirely hidden by the clouds. Then a man came by and asked the little boy
what he was doing, staring up at an empty sky. “I’m flying my kite,” he
replied.
The man replied: “What kite? How can you be sure it is still there? You
can’t see a thing.”
The little boy agreed that he could see nothing, “but every little while I feel
a tug, so I know for sure that it is still up there and is connected to me!”
When it comes to God, you don’t need to take anyone else’s word for it.
You can find Him for yourself by inviting Jesus Christ into your life. Then
you too will know by the warm wonderful tug on your heartstrings that
though you can’t see Him, He is up there, and that He lives in you. You are
connected!

28. - 26 -
St James the Least of All
On how to survive a weekend away with the young people
The Rectory
St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren
I think your idea for both our Confirmation groups getting together for a
weekend away – socially distanced, of course - was excellent and our
meeting last week drew most of the plans together. We didn’t take any
minutes, so let me record the decisions I believe we made.
Since all of us have to sleep far apart at the centre, I am prepared to spend
the nights at a local hotel. By chance, I have found that there is a four star
one only a few miles away, so I have booked myself in.
As the dining area in the youth centre may be cramped, I am also willing to
have dinner each evening at the hotel, thereby creating more space for the
rest of you. An additional sadness is that, since breakfast at the hotel is not
served until 8 am, I will not be able to join you either for your pre-
breakfast dip in the nearby stream. It would be grossly unfair to expect you
to pack lunch for me, so I will arrange for the hotel to provide me with a
picnic hamper for one which I can have while you all enjoy your cheese
and pickle sandwiches.
I think it will be an excellent learning experience if you prepare all the
teaching sessions yourself, but be assured that I will always be on hand to
give the advice of experience. That large armchair near the fire in the
common room seems to be the best place for me to sit, so I can keep an
eye on proceedings, while I take on the responsibilities for stoking the fire.
This reminds me; do make sure that the young people are encouraged to
saw enough logs each morning for me to fulfil my obligations.
Cont’d….

29. - 27 -
Naturally, my arthritis will prevent me being able to accompany you on
your afternoon hikes, but I will cheerfully park my car wherever you leave
the minibus, to provide a second vehicle in case of emergencies. I do not
mind in the least waiting all those long hours until you get back; I have
already found an attractive tea shop in the village.
I am fully aware that not sleeping or dining at the centre, not being
responsible for preparing the teaching, nor being involved on the walks
will mean that my contributions will be ever so slightly limited, but these
are sacrifices I gladly make in order to give you further experience in your
ministerial career. Your loving uncle, Eustace
**************
Ten years ago this month Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890) was
canonised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. These lines are from
his great work ‘The Dream of Geronitus’, and have become a very well-
loved hymn…
Praise to the Holiest in the height
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise,
In all his words most wonderful,
Most sure in all his ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
A second Adam to the fight
And to the rescue came…
And in the garden secretly,
And on the cross on high,
Should teach his brethren, and inspire
To suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise,
In all his words most wonderful,
Most sure in all his ways….
By John Henry Newman

30. - 28 -

31. - 29 -
Music and memory
Have you ever heard a certain song or tune that immediately takes you
back to your youth? It can be a very poignant moment.
When researchers at the University of Westminster examined the choices
of 80 different guests on the BBC radio show Desert Island Discs, they
found that most guests had chosen music which dated back to when they
had been between 10 to 30 years old. This time span was identified as a
‘self-defining period’ in their lives.
The research concluded: “The music we know and love between the ages
of 10 to 30 will play a significant role throughout our lives, connecting us
as individuals to other people, places and times that become central to
our identity.”
What songs trigger the big memories for you?
**********

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month of July 2020
HOLY BAPTISM
No Baptisms were conducted in last week of July
HOLY MATRIMONY
No weddings were conducted in the last week of July
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
30 July Dennis John Mitchell Lawn Lane
May this soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
25 July Roger Green Vicarage Close

33. - 31 -

34. - 32 -

35. September sees St Michael and All Angels Day. Here are a few lines from
an ancient Celtic poem about the archangel…
Saint Michael
Saint Michael, angel of the sea,
Lord of the horses he,
Saint Michael, of the angels king,
Of war, of shepherding;
On steed he flies across the skies;
The first-fruits of the harvest corn,
The first-fruits of the flock-lambs born,
Are his, he meets the soul forlorn.
The saints and angels watch o’erhead,
Their wings and prayers o’erspread:
The righteous ones in heaven wait,
St Peter at the gate;
In might arrayed they shield and aid;
Be with us e’er, archangel powers,
Be with us, angels, life’s long hours.

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor