St John's Parish 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 =
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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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Vicar’s Letter
Dear Friends,
As we begin the month of June – of Wimbledon, strawber-
ries, school sports days, and the summer solstice – we are
hopefully entering into the final phase of the Government’s Roadmap out
of lockdown. Come 21 June we will know if all the remaining restrictions
have been lifted and if the risk of Covid-19 to public health has reduced/
been mitigated. We will be entering into a normality we have not seen for
a long time. Like you I suspect, I am very much looking forward to things
‘getting back to normal’ so long as the risk is low, and being and living as
‘normal’ won’t plunge us into another lockdown. We all need a break
from these exceptional times.
As a Church we too are returning to ‘normal’ this month in so far as we
are returning to Ordinary Time. This is the longest “season” in the
Church’s year and, excluding specific one-off Saint’s days or feasts, lasts
from the week after Trinity Sunday through till the beginning of Novem-
ber when Kingdom Season is ushered in with the feast of All Saints’. After
the busy-ness of the liturgical calendar over the last 6 months (Advent,
Christmas, Lent, Easter) these coming days of Ordinary Time are some-
thing of a welcome relief. It will lovely to simply ‘be’ in Church and not be
obliged to celebrate anything in particular or to contemplate one’s
penitence but rather just dwell with God - walking with him, learning with
him, loving with him.
The seasons give us excitement and drama. But you can sometimes have
too much excitement and drama. This last year of “special measures” has
once again reminded me that we cannot thrive and grow and flourish if
we are “always exceptional” – positive or negative – we need some time
to be “normal”. If we are always on cloud nine or in the depths of despair
we will become exhausted. The emotional load we carry or exert in these
highs and lows is often more than we care to admit. And it is when these
highs and lows overwhelm us that we realise just how much we miss/
crave/long for normality. There is nothing wrong with “normal”. If any-
thing I find great comfort in normal.

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During these coming days of Ordinary Time I am really hoping that we are
truly able to return to normal. I’m longing for our congregations to be able
to sing in prayer and praise. I’m longing to be able to shake you by the
hand on arrival or exit or at the peace – a simple sign of friendship and
respect. I’m longing to be able to share fellowship with you in person after
our services and not on Zoom. I’m longing to be able to see your faces
unveiled and for our Junior Church to return. And God willing these will be
able to return from 21 June. I hope, for us all, these will be a welcome
relief when they return.
Every Blessing,
***********
God in All
He inspires all,
He gives life to all,
He dominates all,
He supports all.
He lights the light of the sun.
He furnishes the light of the night.
He has made springs in dry land.
He is the God of heaven and earth,
of sea and rivers,
of sun, moon and stars,
of the lofty mountain and the lowly valley,
the God above heaven,
and in heaven,
and under heaven.
A prayer of St Patrick

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PARISH DIARY FOR JUNE 2021
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 detailed 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
Tue 1 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 2 10.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 3 CORPUS CHRISTI: Day of thanksgiving for the
Institution of Holy Communion
8.00pm Sung Mass, Procession &
Benediction St Francis’
Sun 6 First Sunday after Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
No Evening Service
Tue 8 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
8.00pm PCC Standing Committee Zoom
Wed 9 10.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications
Committee Zoom
Fri 11 St Barnabas the Apostle

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Sun 13 Second Sunday after Trinity
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
No Evening Service
Tue 15 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 16 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Sun 20 Third Sunday after Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
No Evening Service
Mon 21 9.30am Westbrook Hay School visit St John’s
Tues 22 9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 23 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 24 Birth of St John the Baptist
Sun 27 Fourth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Combined Parish Eucharist and Fun Day St John’s
• 12noon BBQ St John’s
• 3.00pm Cricket Match Hemel Town Cricket
Club
No Evening Service
Tues 29 St Peter the Apostle
9.30am Tiny Tots St John’s Hall
Wed 30 10.00am Holy Communion St John’s
11.00am Coffee Morning Zoom
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’

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Wonders of the Living World
What are the best metaphors we could use to describe biological things? You
might be used to hearing phrases like “your genetic blueprint” or “survival of the
fittest”, but are they helpful or even accurate? Some of these words fail to
capture the wonder and joy of understanding something new about the nature of
living organisms.
I learned that one researcher was using the phrase ‘The Snuggle for Existence’ as
a way to convey the idea, familiar to biologists, that cooperation is at the heart of
the living world. For example, every cell more complex than a bacterium contains
minute energy factories, each one containing their own piece of DNA – which
makes them a sort of miniature cell, hidden away inside the larger host cell.
These ‘mitochondria’, as biologists call them, turn raw materials from the host
into chemical energy. In this way, everyone benefits: the mitochondria now have
a safe a place to live, and the host receives the energy it needs. There are many
more examples of organisms working together to produce something that is
more than the sum of its parts, where often the individual parts could not survive
on their own.
‘The Map of Life’ is a way of describing the regularities we see in biological
processes. Eyes, legs and wings have emerged in the living world again and again,
and why not? If the properties of light and gravity remain constant, we should
expect living things to find the same solutions to seeing or getting around. When
we look at these organisms’ family trees, we see they share a common ancestor
that had no eyes, or no wings. These structures have developed completely
independently, or you could say that the paths of the living world have converged
on the same solution. That’s not to say they had a conscious goal, but that the
world has certain properties, and those properties have channelled biological
processes in certain directions.
None of these stories give us definite evidence for God. Science simply provides
data, which can often be interpreted in several different ways. Perhaps the world
just happens to be full of mathematical regularities, maybe there’s an overarch-
ing physical law we don’t yet understand, or perhaps there are multiple universes
and ours happens to be the one in which life has arisen. But I believe that the
observations scientists make about the living world are compatible with the exist-
ence of the God described by Christian faith.
More at wondersofthelivingworld.org.

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Financial Sustainability 4 - Now we want your money!
After considering the "why" at length, this month it's "how".
The Parish of Boxmoor
St John’s Boxmoor,
St Stephen’s Chaulden & St Francis’ Hammerfield
Stewardship 2021
Planned Giving
There are several ways of giving regularly to the Parish.
1. Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)
If you are a taxpayer and are willing to Gift Aid your giving, then the
Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is our preferred route going forward.
Details of how to join the Scheme will be available in each of our
Churches. The Scheme operates on a Parish wide basis and our unique
Parish Code (320632034) must be quoted. PGS collect the giving by
Direct Debit monthly and reclaim Gift Aid due monthly, transferring
the full amounts for both without deduction to St John’s bank account
saving us considerable administrative effort. If you wish your giving to
be credited to St Francis Church or St Stephen’s Church rather than St
John’s please let Job Rombout, Jo Fisher, Jean Garner or Chris Angell
know and it will be arranged (St Francis have a separate bank account
to which relevant monies received from PGS are transferred, whilst St
Stephen’s income and expenditure is recorded separately within the
St John’s accounts.)
2. Standing Order
If you are unable or unwilling to Gift Aid your giving, then you can
save us work by setting up a Standing Order, payable either monthly,
quarterly or annually. Forms for this purpose will also be available in
each of our Churches. Those for St Francis carry their Bank Account
details whilst those at St John’s and St Stephen’s carry St John’s Bank
Account details. Again, if you wish your giving to be recorded as being
for St Stephen’s then please let Jean Garner or Chris Angell know.

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3. Numbered Envelopes
If you wish to pay weekly in cash or by cheque, pre-printed, num-
bered, coloured envelopes can be provided for the purpose. Signing
a Gift Aid declaration will also enable us to recover Gift Aid as part of
our half-yearly returns. As described under PGS above, giving and
Gift Aid recovered intended for St Francis or St Stephen’s will be
re-directed if requested. Garth Bridgwood assists Chris Angell in
administering this scheme and, whilst numbers participating are
declining and it is time-consuming to operate, either would still be
happy to enrol you.
4. Other
If you cannot commit to set weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual
amounts, other planned giving is still possible via cheques or bank
transfers. Please speak to Chris Angell (or Jo Fisher for St Francis).
Please note: the White Envelopes in the Pews (and by the Card
Reader in St John’s) are for Gift Aiding ad-hoc giving only. Please
ensure you complete the details requested (and for the card reader
add the amount transferred.) Once again, if your gift is for a specific
Church or purpose, rather than general Parish funds, please make
this clear on the envelope and Garth and Chris will do their best to so
record the gift.
Contacts
Chris Angell, Parish Treasurer 01442 244158
Garth Bridgwood, Envelope Scheme 01442 214441
Jo Fisher, St Francis 01442 874740
Jean Garner, St Stephen’s 01442 257023
Job Rombout, Churchwarden & St Francis 07435 130112
Parish Giving Scheme 0333 002 1260 or
www.parishgiving.org.uk

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Covid-19 Update
It is hoped that on 21 June Step 4 of the Government’s Roadmap out of lockdown
will come into effect where all restrictions are lifted. At the time of writing this,
and keeping in mind the rise in rate of transmission caused by the Indian variant
of Covid-19, it is too early to say with all certainty if some or all of the final
restrictions will finally be lifted. If they are lifted we should be able to worship in
our church buildings without the need to social distance or wear face coverings.
We should also be able to sing as congregations and mingle together for refresh-
ments. The optimist in me says this will happen. The pessimist says some of the
restrictions will be eased but others will remain. And then there will be further
Guidance from the Church of England’s Covid Taskforce to consider.
Updates will be given via the Newsletter or a special letter from me as and when
we know more.
Over the past month it has been pleasing to see more members of our Church
family returning to in-person worship. I fully appreciate that some of our commu-
nity are anxious or nervous about returning. If a conversation with me would help
I am more than willing to speak on the phone/in a garden.
It has been reassuring to see that in the last 2 weeks no-one in the local area has
died of Covid* and only one person is currently in hospital (and not on a ventila-
tor). The vaccination programme is now inviting people in their 30s to get their jab
which is remarkable progress.
Thank you for continuing to be so observant of restrictions and mindful of each
other.
Financial Stewardship: Giving to God what he is worth
On the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 23 May, I invited you to re-assess your financial
contribution towards the life of the Church after asking you “What is God worth
to you each week?” This was in response to our Parish Treasurer’s recent articles
in previous magazines reminding us of the perilous financial tightrope we walk in
this Parish. Our expenditure (which is constantly kept in check) has not been met
by our financial giving but relies on fundraising events and hall lettings to balance
the books. The pandemic has shown us how untenable a position this is moving
forward. For a Church of our size and significance we should be able to make ends
meet without relying on fundraising and lettings. It has been incredibly heartening
that throughout the pandemic our level of giving has been maintained but disap-
pointing that that level is below what we need to stay afloat.

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Parish Fun Day, BBQ and Cricket Match
One of the things I think we are all craving as we come out of lockdown is social
interaction – fellowship, fun, conversation, laughter. We hope our Parish Fun Day
with BBQ will tick many of those boxes. This year it will be held on Sunday 27
June. In addition to worshipping together and sharing food and fellowship, this
year there will also be a cricket match in the afternoon where we hope to be able
to offer Pimm's and sunshine (we might be able to help with one more than the
other!). If you would like to be part of the team, please express your interest to
me. Timetable for the day will be published in the Newsletter nearer the time as
information about Step 4 easing becomes known.
Afternoon Tea & Choral Evensong with Thanksgiving for the life of Stella Chan-
dler
In thanksgiving and remembrance for Stella’s long and well-lived life her family
would like to invite you to Afternoon Tea in the churchyard followed by Choral
Evensong in Thanksgiving on Sunday 11 July. Stella was a much loved and
respected member of our fellowship, as we saw by the number of people who
lined the road by St John’s as her coffin drove past on the way to the crematori-
um. More details to follow as they emerge.
Summer Fete
A reminder that our Summer Fete will be on Saturday 17 July in front of St
John’s. All help and items to be sold gratefully received. We hope this will have a
traditional village fete feel, where all the community are welcome. I hope you
will be able to support this.
Ordination to the Priesthood
It is with joy that I inform you of a forthcoming ordination to the priesthood.
Vanessa Hadley-Spencer, one of our former Head Choristers, who is currently a
Deacon will be ordained a Priest in the Church of God on Sunday 27 June. In
support of her ministry, and in recognition that her vocation was nurtured in this
Parish, there will be an opportunity to buy her a Stole for use in her future minis-
try. Please see the Newsletter for more details. Please continue to pray for
Vanessa in the lead-up to her ordination and for all who are called to serve the
Church in Holy Orders.

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Golf Day: Sunday 5 September
In a potentially exciting new fundraising initiative the Parish is to run a Golf Day
on Sunday 5 September at Little Hay Golf Complex. The day will start at 12noon
and comprise a round of golf, lots of in-game challenges, BBQ, raffle, family fun,
and hopefully also a celebrity visit. Teams of 4 golfers are needed. If you play golf
this would be a fun way to raise money for the Parish. Please speak to me if you
are interested. More details will be in next month’s magazine.
***************
22nd
June St Alban, helping a stranger in need
Alban should be the patron saint of anyone who impulsively offers to help
a stranger in need… and finds their own life turned upside down as a
result.
The story goes that Alban was a Roman citizen quietly living in England in
the third century. Then, miles away in Rome, the emperor, Diocletian
ordered a persecution of the Christians. Nothing to do with Alban…
except that suddenly he found a desperate priest on his doorstep, being
hunted down by local soldiers. Alban decided to give the priest shelter,
and within days was converted to Christianity himself, and then baptised.
As if this was not brave enough, when the soldiers arrived, Alban decided
to take the priest’s place. He dressed up in the priest’s clothes to enable
the priest to escape. Not surprisingly, the soldiers then arrested Alban
himself. Now a Christian, Alban refused to offer sacrifice to the Roman
gods, and so was condemned to death.
But the story doesn’t end there, for Alban went to his execution with such
holiness and serenity that one of the executioners was converted, and the
other executioner’s eyes fell out (or so the story goes). Alban was buried
nearby, and the shrine built to his memory was soon known for its healing
powers. Alban’s cult extended all over England, and nine ancient English
churches were dedicated to him.

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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
Peace between neighbours
Peace between neighbours near,
Peace between kindred here,
Peace between lovers dear,
In the love of the King of us all.
Peace man with man abide,
Peace man to wife allied,
Mother and bairns to guide,
And peace of the Christ above all.
Bless, O Christ, bless my face,
My face bless every face,
Christ, bless mine eye with grace,
Mine eye give a blessing to all.
From Poems of the Western Highlanders

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

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Dear All Church members
All of us who go to church share a love of singing. Would you like to join a
group of singers who entertain Day Centres, Care Homes, Over 60’s Social
Clubs in the Hemel area?
We are THE SHOWTIME PLAYERS. We have been going for over 30 years
entertaining the elderly residents in the local area. Sadly our numbers
have declined in recent years. We currently have 8 singers. We sing all
those songs of the past that everyone knows but you never hear on the
radio or TV anymore. If you loved the “Good Old Days” on TV or “Sing
something Simple” on the radio, that is our kind of repertoire. We do
songs that the audience can join in.
Rehearsals start on Friday, 2nd July, 1.30 pm at Warners End Community
Centre. Why not come along and see if you like it. It is only £2.50 a week.
Yours sincerely
Robin Wilkinson
(Pianist of the Showtime Players)
Tel No. 01442 215180

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June is traditionally a favourite month for weddings. As lockdown rules are
gradually being relaxed, couples may now be able to plan their special day.
This is based on the famous reading in 1 Corinthians 13.
Charity
Charity or love what’s in a name?
The King James Bible translates them the same.
Corinthians 13 tells the great theme
Of love everlasting, everyone’s dream.
Loved by all brides on their wedding day
The verses they all want the preacher to pray
The wonders of love that overrules all,
That holds on believing whatever befalls.
Love always trusting always prevails
Enduring, protecting, love never fails.
Faith hope and charity, virtues all three
But love is the greatest and ever will be.
By Megan Carter

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Letter to the Editor
A person of religious believes, Emanuel Swedenborg who is not that well known
was born in 1688 in Stockholm, Sweden. He was actually a Scientist but turned to
religion and published Latin Poems on the 27th May 1710. Emanuel also
published works on Algebra finding the longitude and motions of the earth on
planets on the 30th August of the same year.
The Swedenborg Society is situated at Swedenborg House in Bloomsbury, West
London which houses a small museum and shop where you can buy related
publications and other literature concerning Emanuel’s life. He wrote a book on
Dreams in 1743-1744.
Emanuel also lived in Great Bath Street, Coldbath Fields which is between King’s
Cross and Sadler Wells. He also associated with John Wesley the founder of
Methodism. He died on the 29th March 1772.
Malcolm Waterton

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Gardening really is good for you
According to a recent study conducted by the
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and two
universities, people who garden every day
have well-being scores 6.6 per cent higher, and
stress levels 4.2 per cent lower than those who
do not garden at all.
Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui, RHS well-being fellow and lead author says, “The
evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden,
the greater the health benefits.
“In fact, gardening every day has the same positive impact on your well-
being as undertaking regular, vigorous exercise like cycling or running.
“Gardening is like effortless exercise: it doesn’t feel as strenuous as going
to the gym, but we can expend similar amounts of energy.”
SMILE-LINES
Friend?
Arriving at church to attend a wedding, a formidable looking lady in a large
hat was greeted by the usher. “Are you a friend of the groom?” he ven-
tured.
“Certainly not,” she said indignantly. “I’m the bride’s mother.”
Good Samaritan
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samar-
itan. She asked the class, “If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all
wounded and bleeding, what would you do?” A thoughtful little girl broke
the hushed silence, “I think I’d throw up.”
Thankful
A minister said to a precocious six-year-old boy, “So your mother says a
prayer over you each night? That’s very commendable. What does she
say?” The little boy replied, “Thank God he’s in bed!”

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the April Music
Percentage Club draw:
Sheila James 1st £15
Gill Williams 2nd £8
Gina Harbour 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
*************
BOOK REVIEW
Time Well Spent – a practical guide to developing your daily devotions
By Colin Webster, 10Publishing, £2.99
When it comes to growing our devotional life, we may not know where to
begin. Perhaps we feel so busy that we can’t possibly add yet another
thing to our ‘to-do list’. Or maybe Bible study time feels more like a strain
on the brain rather than fuel for the soul, and we wonder if it’s worth
keeping going.
This book tackles these concerns head-on. It explains what a daily
devotional time should involve, provides tips as to how to set aside the
common distractions of life, and explains why time with God really is time
well spent.

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JULY 2021 EDITION - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the July edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 6th June.
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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
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...........................................................................................................................
Contact Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………...

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY 18 MAY 2021
The PCC met in St John’s Church on 18 May 2021, chaired by the Vicar. This
was the first meeting to be held for over a year due to the pandemic.
The Vicar reminded PCC members of their duties as Trustees for the Parish
and informed them that, as an experiment, he would this year be trying
out holding some PCC meetings after church on Sunday mornings.
The PCC needed to endorse several sets of minutes of meetings held by
the Standing Committee, who necessarily took decisions on behalf of the
PCC during the lockdowns and pandemic meeting restrictions.
Chris Angell reported on the PCC accounts, informing the PCC of a healthi-
er than anticipated balance, due in the main to the generosity of some
parishioners in converting loans to the church into gifts. In the light of this,
it was agreed to pay the next instalment of the Parish Share to the diocese.
Jo Fisher reported on the accounts for St Francis’ church, noting that, in
the longer term, the income from letting the St Francis Church Hall was
needed to balance the books.
Job Rombout presented the Churchwardens’ report, stating that the Easter
Appeal for better IT equipment for St John’s Church had raised a magnifi-
cent £4,700. Work was in hand to procure the new equipment and bring it
into use. The rose garden was flourishing and the Vicar had received 13
applications to place plaques there. The recent Quinquennial Report had
recommended remedial work on the Lady Chapel roof and this was in hand
along with work on the St John’s Hall kitchen roof and guttering. The Park-
ing Working Group was in discussion with the Council over the proposed
new car park for St John’s.
Reports were presented on St Francis and St Stephen’s Churches and the
revision of the Mission Action Plan was discussed along with the current
Stewardship Campaign. The Vicar had resumed work on starting a Youth
Club and the excellent work of the “buddy scheme” was noted. The possi-
bility of planting some trees in St John’s churchyard to mark the Queen’s
Platinum Jubilee was put forward.

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This is necessarily a very brief summary of the meeting, but if any parish-
ioner on the Parish electoral roll would like to see the full minutes of this
PCC meeting, then the PCC Secretary would be very glad to provide them.
Richard Lyne
PCC Secretary
01442 260998
pccsecretary@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Prayer for Encouragement in June
Father,
At this time of year, we remember Barnabas, a good man, full of the Holy
Spirit and faith, who encouraged people to stay true to you – and others
to trust you for the first time.
Lord, we have gone through difficult days. The pandemic has taught us
that we are not in control. We don’t know what each new day might
bring. As we move into June and the hope of more normality after the
restrictions of Lockdown, we too need encouragement.
Help us to have courage to step forward with confidence and common
sense. Most of all help us to stay true to you and to trust you, knowing
that you are the security we need, knowing that you will never leave us
or forsake us. Help us to be encouraged!
In Jesus name, Amen.
By Daphne Kitching

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St James the Least of All
On getting to church at a social distance
The Rectory
St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren
Since your parishioners mostly live in an area of half a square mile, where
their only concern in getting to church is whether to take the underpass,
or to risk a dash across the ring road, you may have little understanding of
the problems our folk have in travelling our long country lanes to church,
especially as we are keeping our social distance from each other.
Several parishioners have decided that they can’t possibly share cars even
with their own spouses, as in their 15-room homes they have successfully
(and in some cases, happily) avoided each other for months. So the lane
outside the church has filled up each week with Mercedes nudging Audis,
and Land Rovers easing in between Bentleys.
Others arrive on horseback. But they are careless about leaving their
horses to graze in the churchyard, and I have had to remind them twice
that flowers in memorial vases are not fodder. The horses do help to keep
the grass down, but unfortunately our verger now objects to standing out-
side during Mattins, holding the reins of half a dozen horses. He says it is
not part of his job description, which only confirms my view that there is
entirely too much fuss these days about having job descriptions at all.
Major Crompton’s devotion to his new sit-on lawnmower has inspired him
to travel to church on it. Since he is unable to uncouple the mowing
apparatus, the tarmac on his two-mile drive is acquiring interesting
patterns. His drive at two miles per hour along narrow lanes means he
arrives leading a procession of cars with drivers given the opportunity to
exercise the Christian virtue of patience.

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Mrs Pendleton, on the other hand, leads a small but select group from the
Mothers’ Union who are all keen cyclists. They all arrive on a whoosh of
fresh air, their hair in total disarray, but with pink cheeks glowing with
health. Nobody in church minds sitting near them, as anyone who can
manage to peddle an old three-gear bicycle up the hill to our church is
most unlikely to be sickening for anything.
Finally, of course, the majority arrive on foot, having negotiated fields,
stiles and assorted cattle on the way. The countryside may well praise
God, but one does wish they wouldn’t bring quite so much of it into
church.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace

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This month (10th
June) the Duke of Edinburgh would have turned 100. This
article is from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent tribute to him in the
House of Lords.
Remembering Prince Philip
“We have thanked God for Prince Philip’s life of extraordinary service.
There are some rare people who bring energy into a room – the Duke of
Edinburgh was very much one of those people. His presence lifted a gath-
ering. He might have challenged and interrogated, but whatever he said,
he never bored anyone.
“The Duke of Edinburgh had a profound moral imagination, extraordinary
foresight and even vision. He saw the world not just as it is but as it could
and should be, as worked out in his commitment to young people,
especially through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, to the Common-
wealth, to our Armed Forces, and to engineering, technology and
design… In Edmund Burke’s words, he had an instinctive sense that the
social contract was found in the traditions we inherit from the past, in
our obligations to the present and in our responsibility to those yet to be
born.
“His genuine and deep sense of humility and his service came from the
same place, which was his faith… He had a sincere Christian faith
absolutely untainted by false piety… He understood deeply how
important faith is for the vast majority of the world’s population. He
engaged the rich diversity of faiths within the UK and the Common-
wealth. He was a pioneer in recognising the crucial role that faith leaders
play in advocating for creation care. He was literally half a century ahead
of his time in this area.”

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Canon Paul Hardingham considers our priorities in life.
The Parable of the Great Banquet
One thing that we’ve probably missed over the past year is parties. Well,
this month should enable us to party again! Lots of Jesus’ parables focus
on parties, as they are a picture of the joy, hope and life of the kingdom of
God. The parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14: 15-24) challenges us not
to miss out on this.
In Jesus’ day, when people accepted an invitation to a banquet, they were
only told the actual time on the day: ‘Come, for everything is now
ready’ (17). Jesus’ invites each one of us to share in the life of His kingdom.
However, the guests made excuses for not coming. At the time, this would
have been extremely insulting to the host. They said: ‘I have just bought a
field; I must try out my new team of oxen; I have just got married’ (18-20).
These are all good things in themselves, however they reveal their
priorities were elsewhere.
We too can be pre-occupied with our own routines of work, family, retire-
ment, holidays, friends, home, social media, that we forget God’s priorities
for our lives. Jesus calls for total commitment from His disciples. What
priority in my life is holding me back from accepting His invitation?
How did the host respond? He ordered His servants to ‘Go out quickly into
the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the
blind and the lame.’ (21). He invited the unexpected and unacceptable
people to His banquet. Jesus makes the point that God’s kingdom is open
to all! Thinking about our family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, even
if they’re not like us or show little interest in God: Are we willing to offer
them God’s invitation to share His love and life?

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month of April 2021
HOLY BAPTISM
18 April Aaron Arjon Shehu Sebright Road
Annabella Noira Shehu Sebright Road
May the Lord of his great mercy bless these children and give them
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
No Weddings were conducted in April
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
15 April Baby Emily Charlotte Cecilia Cox Grasmere Close
May this soul 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 April

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35. - 33 -
Answers to May 2021 Alliterative Quiz
1 Rupert Rigsby
2 Lively Lady
3 Peterborough Panthers
4 Tom Thumb
5 Dino Doyle
6 Margaret Mitchell
7 Fresh Fields
8 Suricata suricatta
9 Herbie Hancock
10 Joe Jordan
11 Power Play
12 Masked Marauder
13 Western (Wailing) Wall
14 Horrid Henry
15 Nasty Nicola
16 Green Green Grass
17 Agony Aunts
18 Harold Hill
19 Billy Butlin
20 Allo Allo
21 Spanish Succession
22 John Junkin
23 Margaret Meldrew
24 Stephen Spielberg
25 Calcium Carbonate

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor