St. John's Magazine - April 2023

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PETER D HANNABY
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior work
Undertaken
For competitive quotations
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contact Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or 07792 768236
or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
Time and tide wait for no man.
So wrote Geoffrey Chaucer over 600 years ago and yet the
words and sentiment seem as fresh today as they did all those
years ago. As a society we have recently marked the first anni-
versary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the 20th
anniversary of the outbreak of
the Iraq War; and the third anniversary of Covid Lockdown rules being intro-
duced and our enforced exile from Church, schools, friends, family, etc. The
expectation when all these things began was that they would not last very
long. But… The Iraq War lasted 8 years, and we are still reaping the conse-
quences. Everyone expected Ukraine to fall within days or weeks of the
Russian invasion yet it is still holding-out despite the overwhelming odds.
And then we come to Covid! In my mind I thought Lockdown was going to be a
3-6 week fire-break and the virus would disappear. I laugh at my ignorance
now! 3 years later, the potency of the virus has diminished (thanks to the
arrival of vaccines) but it is still present in our society. Although we are no
longer living under the strict regulations the impact on our community is
immense. Grief has not been properly processed; mental health issues are at
an alarmingly high level; young children have not learnt how to socialise whilst
older children and young adults have missed huge amount of schooling;
businesses have closed; our NHS is exhausted and overloaded; Churches, faith
communities, and voluntary organisations have lost their voluntary workforce
due to a combination of Lockdown- enforced retirement, aging, new priorities,
and mortality. Despite the re-opening of society, the Covid Legacy lives on. And
I now suspect it will for another couple of years.
This all sounds very bleak and uncharacteristically pessimistic of me. Yet, these
events have shaped our common lives – for good and ill – and it would be
wrong not to recognise their lasting impact and the task that lies ahead to
rebuild broken communities, heal hurting lives, and enable flourishing.
But there is one more anniversary to observe: the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. This month, we will once again travel with Jesus to the place of
rejection, isolation, pain, and death – Calvary – and lament that the sins which
God incarnate was prepared to bare for our salvation are still being committed.
We, along with all humanity, have a share in the wrong in the world around us
– although hopefully to a lesser extent than Saddam Hussein, Vladimir Putin,

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and the like. We are culpable in not loving our neighbour as we ought. We are
culpable in not loving God and serving him as we should. As a line from a
modern hymn says: It was my sin that held him there, highlighting that it is not
just the sins of our forebears and the political struggles of Jerusalem all those
years ago that brought about Jesus’ crucifixion, but the sins and injustices of
every time and place – including those times still to come – that led to Calvary.
But thanks be to God the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross is not the end of the
story. As we celebrate Easter we rejoice in the resurrected Jesus who shows
us that sin and death are no match for forgiveness and life… life in all its full-
ness. The resurrected Christ is timeless; it is for every time and place so that
we may each, in our time and place, know that we are forgiven and loved and
heirs of the resurrection promise. In Christ we can now call God, Father, and
enjoy the intimacy of being fully-known and fully-loved. Despite our manifold
shortcomings we may know that the mercy of God looks kindly on us, and
offers complete forgiveness where true repentance is found. Our sins
no-longer lead to the grave but rather the grave of Christ leads to life and
forgiveness.
This Easter I pray that the joy of the resurrected Christ is yours. Death and
destruction do not have the final word, for that belongs to Love. May we
therefore make this prayer our own:
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits thou hast given me,
for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Amen. Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
For Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Every Blessing,

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PARISH DIARY FOR APRIL 2023
Enquiries regarding baptisms weddings or marriage blessings are
always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer is said Daily at St John’s at 9.00am.
You are most welcome to join the clergy in prayer.
Evening Prayer is said privately for the life of the Parish unless details are below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays)
The Parish Eucharist and resources will continue to be live streamed and made
available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/live-streamed-services
Sat 1 3.00pm Aeolian Singers Spring Concert St Francis’
Sun 2 PALM SUNDAY
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Blessing of Palms, Procession & Parish Eucharist
St John’s
Service begins in Boxmoor Playhouse and processes
to St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass & Procession St Francis'
11.30am Holy Communion with Hymns St Stephen's
1.00pm Burial of Ashes - Janet Huggins St John’s
6.30pm Solemn Evensong & Benediction St Francis’
Mon 3 Holy Monday
8.00pm Holy Communion & Reflection St John’s
Tues 4 Holy Tuesday
11am-4pm Warm Hub St John’s
8.00pm Holy Communion & Reflection St John’s
Wed 5 Holy Wednesday
9.00am Service of Prayers for Healing St John’s
10.00am Holy Communion & Reflection St John’s
11.30am Mountbatten Communion Mountbatten Lodge
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Stations of the Cross St Francis’

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Thur 6 MAUNDY THURSDAY
8.00pm Parish Eucharist with the washing of feet St John’s
followed by The Watch of the Passion until 10.30pm
Fri 7 GOOD FRIDAY
10.00am All Age Stations of the Cross St John’s
Service begins at St Mary & St Joseph’s RC Church
10.45am Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead Walk of
Witness
Meet at Riverside Entrance to Marlowes
2.00pm An Hour at the Cross St John’s
5.45pm Junior Choir Rehearsal St John’s Hall
Sat 8 Easter Eve
Morning Church cleaning and preparations for Easter
All churches
8.00pm The Easter Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter
St Francis’
Sun 9 EASTER SUNDAY
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist with Easter Ceremonies St John’s
with Junior Choir, and followed by Easter Egg Hunt
10.00am Sung Mass of Easter St Francis'
11.30am Holy Communion with Hymns St Stephen's
Mon 10 Bank Holiday - No Services
Tues 11 11am-4pm Warm Hub St John’s
Wed 12 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 14 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 16 Second Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist with Holy Baptism St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 17 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall
Donkey Tales - Speaker: Maggie Taylor
Tues 18 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
11am-4pm Warm Hub St John’s
8.00pm Church Meeting: PCC Standing Committee
St John’s Hall

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Wed 19 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
3.00pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
8.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
Thur 20 11.00am Mountbatten Communion Mountbatten Lodge
Tbc Wedding Rehearsal St John’s
Fri 21 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 22 12.30pm Wedding: Zoe Harbour & James Proehl St John’s
Sun 23 Third Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Combined Parish Eucharist and APCM St John’s
6.30pm Choral Evensong St John’s
Guest preacher: The Reverend Lauretta Wilson
Mon 24 St George
Tues 25 St Mark the Evangelist
9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
11am-4pm Warm Hub St John’s
Wed 26 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 28 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 30 Fourth Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's

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Lent
I hope those who have attended our Lent Course Images of Christ have found it
both helpful and insightful for their journey of faith. As the Church’s year unfolds
perhaps you might like to continue this way of looking at the Jesus Story and find
pictures/music/poetry that helps you delve more deeply into the mystery of our
faith. I am more than happy to help where possible.
Mothering Sunday
Thank you to our wonderful Flower arrangers who made our posies again this
year and to our Junior Choir who distributed them. I hope everyone who wanted
a posy was able to have one.
Holy Week and Easter
Please see the list at the front of the Magazine for details of all our Services
during Holy Week and Easter. This is the most important Festival of the Christian
year 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. If
you are going away for Easter please make it a priority to find out the Service
times at your nearest church.
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. I especially hope you will be able to make the
Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter) a priority in your diaries. A
helpful way to look at this is to regard each day as a different Act in the Liturgical
Play, where the Play makes the most sense if you have seen all the Acts.
Palm Sunday: Procession of Palms
In the last couple of years we have processed from Boxmoor Playhouse (our
former Church Hall) to St John’s Church to re-enact Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
The Liturgy will begin at 10.00am in the Playhouse arriving into Church about
15minutes later. I hope as many as possible will be able to participate in this
public expression of our faith. If you do not feel able to walk this route we look
forward to joining you in church. It is a very powerful public witness so do please
make every effort to be part of it.

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Services during Holy Week
Each evening during Holy Week there will be a special service as we reflect on
the final week of Christ’s earthly life. The addresses this year will be given by
myself at the daily Eucharist at St John’s – Monday and Tuesday, 8.00pm;
Wednesday 10.00am. On Wednesday we shall once again be invited to walk the
way of the cross at St Francis Church, 8.00pm, in a very moving and prayerful
service. There will also be the opportunity to ask for prayers for healing on
Wednesday morning at 9.00am at St John’s.
Maundy Thursday: symbolism and volunteers
On this solemn evening when we recall Christ’s last supper with his disciples, his
betrayal, arrest, and abandoning, we will also recall Christ’s gift of the Holy
Eucharist and his command to love one another. During the Holy Eucharist we
will wash 12 people’s feet in a re-enactment of Christ’s act of loving service to
his disciples and friends. If you would like to have your feet washed please let
me know otherwise I will just have to ask you!
The Eucharist will be followed by The Watch of the Passion in the South Aisle,
before the Blessed Sacrament, until 10.30pm as we pray with Christ that we may
not fall into temptation, and try to stay awake one hour recalling Christ’s words
to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday – All Age Stations of the Cross
On Good Friday morning, at 10.00am, we shall once again be joining forces with
our neighbours at St Mary and St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Boxmoor to
hold an ecumenical All Age Stations of the Cross. The service will start in St Mary
and St Joseph’s Church and then we shall walk along the moor to St John’s
observing the Stations of the Cross as we go. Please encourage children of all
ages to come along to public witness to the faith on Good Friday. In recent years
each service has attracted over 100 children with accompanying adults. Please
do encourage any young people you know to join this pilgrimage.
Good Friday – Walk of Witness in Hemel Town Centre
As in previous years, Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead are organising the
annual walk of witness into the town centre. In recent years this event has
grown in popularity and in standard. It is worth attending to join with other
Christians – from various traditions and Churches in Hemel – to witness to the
depth of God’s love as shown in the face of Christ upon the cross. This will begin
at 11.00am from outside Debenhams and will process to the bandstand. All are
welcome.
Cont’d…..

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Good Friday – An Hour at the Cross
This powerful and evocative service, so full of symbolism and meaning, brings
home the sacrifice Christ bore for all humanity. In the starkness of a stripped
church, the words, silence, and music combine to provide a space where we can
mediate on the Cross. I warmly commend this service to you.
Easter Celebrations
I look forward to celebrating with you the joy of the resurrection at Easter.
At St John’s our service will begin at 10.00am, outside (weather permitting), with
the lighting of the Easter Candle. We will renew our baptismal promises and we
will sing with joy of the resurrection. It is hoped there will be an Easter Egg Hunt
after the service.
At St Francis’, the Vigil will be celebrated at 8.00pm on Saturday evening –
followed by Fizz and Chocolate – and there will be a Sung Mass of Easter at
10.00am on Easter Day.
At St Stephen’s there will be Holy Communion at 11.30am.
Pancake Parties
A question usually asked of children on Ash Wednesday is “how many pancakes
did you eat yesterday?” What really should have been asked of the 30+ children
who came to the Pancake Party was “how many times did you flip your pan-
cake?”. My sincere thanks to the team who helped make children’s Pancake
Party so successful! Reports have be uniformly positive and plans are afoot to
make next year’s even better.
The adults’ Wine and Cheese evening was also very well attended, with a lovely
cross-section from our community attending. It was excellent to be back doing
social things again, and I encourage us all to come to as many social events as
possible to rebuild relationships and make new friendships.
Mozart Requiem
On Sunday 12 March, under the direction of our Director of Music, we were
treated to a musical and liturgical feast as our choir and friends – joined by the St
John’s Ensemble and some fabulous soloists – put on the Mozart Requiem within
the context of the Eucharist. The standard was exceptionally high, the liturgy was
offered with prayer and generosity, and loved ones were remembered. It was
good to welcome a substantial congregation to an evening service – all of whom
appeared moved by the service. If you missed it, a recording can be found on our
website.
APCM
As noted in last month’s magazine our Annual Parochial Church Meeting this year
will be held on Sunday 23 April 2023 immediately following a combined Parish

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Eucharist at 10.00am. This is your Parish. You have a voice. During the meeting 6
members of the congregation will be elected to the PCC, including 3 who will
represent the Parish at Deanery level. Please give some thought between now
and then as to whether you could help shape the future of the Parish by serving
on the PCC. The term of office is usually 3 years.
Electoral Roll
This year the Roll will once again be open for amendments. It is interesting to
note that many of our regular worshipping 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. This has been an invaluable tool for contacting members
of our fellowship during the pandemic. Please can you check your details on the
Roll if you have filled in an Application Form, and if you haven’t please complete
a form prior to the APCM. The Roll and forms are located at the back of all our
churches. Please speak to Ian Packe, our Electoral Roll Officer, if you have any
questions.
Choral Evensong: 23 April
I am delighted to share with you that The Reverend Lauretta Wilson, former
Curate of this Parish, will be joining us for Choral Evensong on Sunday 23 April at
6.30pm at St John’s, and that she will be preaching. Since leaving Boxmoor she
has held posts in Bennetts End and Kegworth and is now serving in the Bath area.
I’m sure you will all make her feel most welcome again.
Coronation Celebrations
King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. I’m
sure our thoughts and prayers will be with him. It has been decided not to have a
public viewing of the Coronation Service in Church as circumstances are very
different to when the Late Queen was crowned. However, there are 2 things
already planned (and more may follow!)
• On Sunday 7 May St John’s will host a Big Lunch for anyone who wishes to
attend – a sign-up sheet will be at the back of all our churches nearer the
time.
• On Sunday 14 May we will host a special Evening service at 6.30pm at
which Civic dignitaries will be invited to give thanks for and pray for our
newly crowned King. Music will include many of the great coronation
anthems. This will form part of the Music Festival organised by MASJ and
promises to be a lovely occasion.

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HALLS FOR HIRE
ST JOHN’S HALL - Well equipped hall suitable for use by special interest
groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and special occasions.
Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary on 07939 226977 or email:
hallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and availabil-
ity.
ST STEPHEN’S HALL, CHAULDEN - (opposite Tudor Rose) - Sunny Hall with
tiled floor suitable for dancing and exercise groups as well as being ideal for
children’s parties. Please contact Jean on 01442 257023 for further
information and availability.
ST FRANCIS HALL, HAMMERFIELD - Well equipped hall suitable for use by
special interest groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and
special occasions. Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary by email: stfran-
cishallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and
availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul
Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908
Please Note: St. John's Church PCC cannot accept any responsibility for goods or services

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Herts Musical Memories deliver vibrant, therapeutic music
sessions designed to help connect people to their memories
through singing. The group is aimed at people worried about
their memory or their voice, those living with dementia, their
carers, or anyone who likes to sing and have fun - everyone is
welcome!
The Hemel group meets on Tuesday afternoons at St George's
URC Hall. For more information please call 07515 633486.

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An update from the Eco Team
Rosie Shaw, Dee Fisher and Mark Harbour
The Sustainable Swap Shop that Dee arranged with
help from Rosie and Mark went ahead on Saturday
28th
January. This was the first of these events to be
held at St John’s and was reasonably well attended.
Our thanks to Lorraine for helping with refreshments.
People brought along spare Christmas presents and similar items to swap
with other people and it was also an opportunity to have tea/coffee and
biscuits and catch up with people. There was a good selection of gifts,
clothes, books etc and they were laid out on tables so that everyone that
brought an item or more could swap for the same number of other items.
The feedback from those who attended was very positive and it was a
success.
We plan to hold more events like this in future so look out for updates.
Also here are a couple of useful Eco Tips from Rocha UK for the coming
months:
Fit more active travel into your day and daily routine. As the weather
warms up, it’s worth considering what journeys can be made by walking
or cycling. Could you get off a stop early to walk the rest of your journey,
take a relaxing stroll home, or hop on a bike and enjoy a cycle friendly
route? If you prefer exploring outdoors on foot, find out if there’s a local
Ramblers group.
Say no to the mow. Mowing your lawn less, and letting parts of it grow
long, saves you time and helps give nature a home. If you want to make
an even bigger impact for wildlife, don’t mow your lawn or a section of it
all until August to help even more animals.

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Boxmoor Councillors update
It is never dull being a Councillor, but it is
a privilege to serve the community and to
try to make a difference on so many
levels.
In the Council Chamber we have proposed motions and asked difficult
questions. We got DBC to declare a climate emergency and have main-
tained the pressure on decision-makers to prioritise environmental
matters. We have lobbied the Government to reconsider their excessive
housing targets and fought the Council’s Local Plan proposals to build on
our valuable green belt. William proposed a motion for the Council to
embrace on-street electric vehicle charging points.
We’ve scrutinised committees. At Health in Dacorum we have pushed for
a green-field hospital as an alternative to Watford General. Claire and
Adrian have fought long and hard for improved recycling targets. Simy
has argued for cost-of-living interventions for residents of council hous-
ing, particularly improved insulation and providing ‘hot-spots’.
We champion issues, such as speeding
cars through the volunteer-led Drive
Safe scheme we set up on Green End
Road and Gravel Hill Terrace. Our traffic
survey provided the evidence to secure
funding for a pedestrian crossing on
Fishery Road (consultation in April).
Moor Good Citizens dealt with the litter
problems that exploded after lockdown.
The job description includes ‘Problem-solver’, mostly of the ‘Three Ps’ –
Planning, Parking & Poo! We have fought overdevelopment, including
everything from a fifth storey on Gadebury Heights on Leighton Buzzard
Rd to in-fill in Glendale. We stopped anti-social parking with bollards
around Collett School and double yellow lines outside KD Towers. We
supported Boho Boxmoor to provide dog-poo bags around the ward.

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We are naggers-in-chief to get things done:
requesting wardens patrol schools at key times;
ensuring the repair of lighting at the St Johns Road
pedestrian crossing; fighting for slippy leaves to be
cleared on Northridge Way; tipping off the police
to drug dealers in Charles St; and when necessary
rolling up our sleeves to do some weeding on St
Johns Road (see picture).
Last, but not least, there are the hidden individual needs: the disabled
single mum with a parking problem; the council tenant trying to get their
damp walls resolved; the Ukrainian refugee overcoming bureaucratic
barriers; the pensioner facing eviction and so much more. If you need
our assistance, then do not hesitate to contact us through the channels in
the box below.
BOXMOOR PARISH WEBSITE
If you have posters for an event which you would like
to appear on the church website, or if you have
taken photos of a church event and would like them to
appear on the website, please email them to
webteam@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk so that the website
team can access them easily. We are an active parish
and it would be nice to show that.
Cllrs Adrian England, Claire Hobson, Simy Dhyani and
William Allen working for you!
Boxmoorcouncillors@gmail.com
07766 145129 (Mon, Thur, Sat day; Tues, Wed evening)
@Boxmoor Councillors Dacorum

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'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the February Music
Percentage Club draw:
Richard Lyne 1st £15
Peter Garner 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.
SMILE-LINES
Palm Sunday visit
It was Palm Sunday, but because of a sore throat, five-year-old Bobby was
kept home from church with his grannie. When the family returned home,
they were carrying several palm fronds and Bobby asked them what they
were for. “People held them over Jesus’ head as He walked by,” his father
explained.
Bobby was aghast. “I don’t believe it! The one Sunday I don’t go, and He
shows up!”
Congratulations for Long Service:
Congratulations to Nicholas King who has been awarded a Certificate of
Special Service in Durham Cathedral for long and outstanding service to
the Royal School of Church Music. His citation read:
Nicholas King has been involved with the RSCM for over 50 years since
accompanying at an Addington Palace course in 1968. He was a principal
player in the Canterbury Area at Folkestone before moving to Hemel Hemp-
stead, becoming director of music at St John's, Boxmoor, where he took
over a flourishing choir. For a number of years he was an RSCM Awards
Examiner and RSCM St Albans, Hertford, and Bedford Area Secretary and
Awards Administrator.

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MAY 2023 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the May 2023 edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 2nd April.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5/A4 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
monthly basis, please email alan.munford@btinternet.com or telephone him on
01442 242543 or complete your details below and return tear-off slip to:
Mr. Alan Munford, 16 St Nicholas Mount, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BB
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War in Ukraine – a Ukrainian family story
Continued from March’s edition of the Magazine
On the evening of March 15, we left Uzhgorod, the entire bus was filled
with women and children, and there were a lot of vehicles leaving, passing
the border took 12 hours. We arrived in Prague on Wednesday, March 16,
settled in a hotel and waited for the Homes for Ukraine programme to be
approved in England. On March 18, the program was approved and we
started to look for sponsors.
My friend, having connected with other volunteers, found sponsors for us
the next day. A wonderful family of 4 people from the village of Choles-
bury, near Tring, invited us to share their home and shelter us. The same
day, our sponsor Alexei began to fill out application forms for visas. On
Monday we went to the visa centre, submitted applications and handed
over fingerprints. We were told that in 5-7 days the documents would be
ready, but the days passed one after another, and the visas did not come.
For 10 days we lived in a hotel, and there was no free housing for Ukraini-
ans. A woman from Ukraine worked as a cleaner in that hotel, and she
offered to rent a room in her apartment for us, we gladly agreed, because
although it was expensive and far from the visa centre, it was cheaper
than in a hotel. I went every day to the visa centre, but there was no
news.
4 - Olha's journey from Sumy to Praque 1891 km by road

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We prayed and believed, there was no turning back, and there was
complete uncertainty ahead. My sponsors Alexei and Sarah asked for help
from their GP and council to speed up the process and everyone responded
and helped us. So, our visas arrived 50 days later, and we immediately
bought plane tickets and managed to fly to England on May 7th. We stayed
in Cholesbury till early October when our new sponsors provided us with a
larger home that allowed us to live independently.
Now Artem goes to school and recently received a mark “Star of the week”
for independent reading and amazing math. Artem likes school, forest
lessons, games with friends, PE and football, and he was also very
impressed with the history of the big fire in London in 1666 and we have
read all the books from the library about this.
He goes to clubs: magic, math,
football and taekwondo. Three
times a week he has additional
English lessons online. And we also
started learning to write and read
in Ukrainian at the beginning of
this year (Artem has not yet gone
to school in Ukraine, school starts
at the age of 7).
What’s about me - it took me a lot of time to find a job - first preparing a
CV, registering on different websites, monitoring vacancies, applying, pass-
ing assessments, and interviews.
I’m now working as a volunteer at a charity shop for pregnant mothers and
babies. I’m learning English and a lot of time is spent studying English and
Ukrainian with Artem.
The war in Ukraine continues and although the Russian troops have now
withdrawn from the Sumy Oblast, they are only 70 km away from the
Russian border, and missiles still fly overhead.
Cont’d…..
5 - Artem at taekwondo

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I keep in touch with my husband and brother almost every day (unless
the power is turned off because then the Internet also disappears), so we
have the opportunity to communicate and support each other.
My husband and Artem’s father, Alexander Kuchkov now lives in Sumy
and works as the director of the department of economics in the Sumy
Regional Military Administration. My brother Maslak Alexander and his
wife Natalya Maslak live in Sumy too. He works as the director of the
department of the Agro-Industrial complex in the Sumy Regional Military
Administration. He has a PhD in Economics and also teaches at the
Sumy National Agrarian University. His wife, a Doctor of Economics,
teaches at the Sumy National Agrarian University.
We are deeply impressed and grateful to the British people for the
enormous help they provide to Ukraine and Ukrainians. We are sincerely
grateful to the family of our sponsors, who agreed to welcome us first
into their home, and took the first steps of adaptation in a new country
with us. We are also very grateful to our new sponsor Job and Marian
and the Parish of Boxmoor, together with your community, your kind
hearts, sincere smiles, attention, and prayers for Ukraine every time.
Kind regards
Olha
************
Junior Church
We have had a busy time over the last few months at Junior Church. We
usually have a good number of children joining us each week for sessions
which take place during the service, with children returning in time to
join their families to receive communion blessing. During Junior Church
we focus on aspects of the Bible, usually in line with the lectionary for
the main parish Eucharist, but sometimes venturing to explore other
topics in the Christian faith or other stories of Jesus. For example, during
Mike’s recent sermon series on the sacraments – it turns out some sacra-
ments are easier to create a session on for 3-11 year olds than others…
Unction presenting a particular challenge!! Cont’d…..

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We have three regular leaders (Mary McCluskey, Jo Fisher and myself). I
have to say I am always a little bit in awe of the creativity of Mary and Jo
when they lead sessions. We all approach things slightly differently and I
think that makes for a richer junior church experience overall. One aspect
that we are trying to incorporate more of into our sessions is some sing-
ing, as some of our parents have mentioned they would really value there
being some regular opportunities for the children to sing songs about our
Christian life and about God’s love.
We are also, as ever, super grateful to those who come out and help us
deliver sessions. This is both a requirement and a logistical necessity!
Helping in a session does not require any prep, and takes up no more time
than has already been allocated to being in Church on a Sunday morning.
Its value to the church and to the children is huge, as it gives a real indica-
tion that people from the congregation are interested to meet with and
talk to the children who are part of our church community. If you are
interested in getting involved, please do sign up on the list at the back of
church (near the kitchenette and toilets), or have a chat with any of us!
One last thing it is probably worth mentioning is the lovely interplay we
now have between our regular Messy Church sessions and our weekly
Sunday Junior Church. It’s really nice to be able to spend more time during
a Sunday afternoon with children from across the parish, to welcome
some of those who come along to Junior Church sessions if or when they
feel they would like to explore the church’s life further. We also greatly
value the opportunity to get to know the children’s parents, carers and
families a little better through the time we spend together at messy
church doing all sorts of crafts, games, spending time in church and eating
the occasional treat at the end of the afternoon for good measure. Messy
Church would not be possible without the effort, planning and support of
a good number of friends from across the congregation, and of course
from Mike. We still think we could make it a bit more Messy, so when you
walk past and see mud pies on the window sills, and neon gloop all over
the Vicar, you’ll know we’ve finally managed to do Messy Church, with a
capital M, and it’s probably worth donning an overall!!
Rosie Shaw
On behalf of Junior Church leaders

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Everybody needs good neighbours
As part of its merger with Peace Hospice Care, Rennie Grove is delighted to be
bringing the Compassionate Neighbours project to Dacorum and St Albans.
Compassionate Neighbours is an award-winning social movement that sees
volunteers matched with Community Members in their area, to offer friendship
and emotional support to people who are lonely, ill or isolated due to life-limiting
illness or bereavement.
Peace Hospice Care has been running the project for four years and is now
expanding it to offer the benefits to people in Dacorum and St Albans.
Fiona McGregor has been volunteering as a Compassionate Neighbour for two
years. She says:
“I’m so pleased that the recent merger means we can offer the support of
Compassionate Neighbours in new areas.
“I have gained so much from volunteering as a Compassionate Neighbour. My
first Community Member was isolated due to illness and didn’t have family living
nearby. I visited her at home once a week to offer company and friendship. It
was such a pleasure to get to know her and talk about her life. I feel we both
gained so much from the friendship, and I am now looking forward to a similar
relationship with my new local match.”
Compassionate Neighbours are asked to commit to around one hour per week to
support a carefully matched Community Member, which could include visiting
them at home for a chat, taking them out locally or simply sharing an activity
together, such as a short walk.
Fiona Hobbs, Compassionate Communities Co-ordinator at Peace Hospice Care,
says:
“We’re delighted to be bringing the Compassionate Neighbours project to new
areas, both for local volunteers who are keen to help and people in the commu-
nity who could benefit from the company and friendship that Compassionate
Neighbours brings.”
“Volunteers don’t need any kind of experience or relevant background, as full
training and support is given. We’re looking for people of all ages with a range of
life experiences and interests.”

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To find out more about either accessing the support of a Compassionate Neigh-
bour or offering your time, email compassion@peacehospicecare.org.uk or call
01923 330 330.
Easter Story
(A compilation of hymns and worship songs from anointed writers
telling the wonderful story of our redemption)
Amazing love how can it be
As helpless Babe from heaven He came
Walked our earth as Light descending
To our world engulfed in pain.
How marvellous, how wonderful
His loving kindness as a flood,
Taking all our sin and sorrow
As He shed His precious blood.
The rugged cross was a battle ground
As the Father’s face turned from His Son
Darkness engulfed the whole of the land
‘Finished!’ – the cry as victory was won.
We stand now amazed in the presence
Of the Man that came from above,
The Crucified One – but living again,
Who kissed our guilty world in love.
By Megan Carter

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at St John’s
in the month February
HOLY BAPTISM
There were no baptisms in February.
HOLY MATRIMONY
There were no weddings in February.
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
9 February Peter Price Alexandra Nursing Home
27 February Jennifer Sears Crouchfield
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
15 February Angela Kathryn Sans Gadebridge

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36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor