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THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you [God].
These are the opening words of a poem by Bernadette Farrell
which has been set to music and will be sung over the Christmas period in this
parish. At this time of year most of us crave some sunshine. We have been
fortunate to enjoy a mild and sunny autumn, but as the cold and darkness press on
I wonder how many have booked, or are in the process of booking, a holiday for
next summer’s sun? I wonder how many are counting down the days until the
shortest day, 21 December, and will then rejoice as the days start to brighten and
lengthen – albeit oh so slowly to begin with.
But it’s not just sunshine that we crave. It’s truth too. We hate being lied to. And
yet all too often in our political discourse that is what confronts us. Lies, half-
truths, and evasion. The future of our country is in the balance and no-one knows
what is going on. In hope and longing for truth, even those who don’t normally
pray, have turned to the Lord.
And perhaps there is no better time for us to be turning to God. Our annual
celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ reminds us that God, in
Christ, chose to come and live among us, to share our darkness, our pain, and our
despondency. But the life he shared was so that he could bring light, bring hope,
bring truth, and to bring healing. The joy of the incarnation is that every single
person on this planet is known and loved of God and he wants to be in relationship
with them through Jesus who is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ and ‘the light of
the world’. What could be more joyous for us to celebrate?
In these dark days, let us rejoice in the light coming into the world – Jesus, the
Prince of Peace. Let us rejoice that he came to shed his glorious light and truth
upon the world so that injustice might be routed out, fears banished, pains healed,
and peace lived and enjoyed.
I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and every Blessing for the New Year.
In Christ,](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/st-211127200833/85/St-John-s-Magazine-December-21-January-22-5-320.jpg)
St. John's Magazine December. 21 - January. 22
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- 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: [email protected]
- 5. - 3 - THE VICAR’S LETTER Dear Friends, Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you [God]. These are the opening words of a poem by Bernadette Farrell which has been set to music and will be sung over the Christmas period in this parish. At this time of year most of us crave some sunshine. We have been fortunate to enjoy a mild and sunny autumn, but as the cold and darkness press on I wonder how many have booked, or are in the process of booking, a holiday for next summer’s sun? I wonder how many are counting down the days until the shortest day, 21 December, and will then rejoice as the days start to brighten and lengthen – albeit oh so slowly to begin with. But it’s not just sunshine that we crave. It’s truth too. We hate being lied to. And yet all too often in our political discourse that is what confronts us. Lies, half- truths, and evasion. The future of our country is in the balance and no-one knows what is going on. In hope and longing for truth, even those who don’t normally pray, have turned to the Lord. And perhaps there is no better time for us to be turning to God. Our annual celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ reminds us that God, in Christ, chose to come and live among us, to share our darkness, our pain, and our despondency. But the life he shared was so that he could bring light, bring hope, bring truth, and to bring healing. The joy of the incarnation is that every single person on this planet is known and loved of God and he wants to be in relationship with them through Jesus who is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ and ‘the light of the world’. What could be more joyous for us to celebrate? In these dark days, let us rejoice in the light coming into the world – Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Let us rejoice that he came to shed his glorious light and truth upon the world so that injustice might be routed out, fears banished, pains healed, and peace lived and enjoyed. I wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas and every Blessing for the New Year. In Christ,
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- 7. - 5 - PARISH DIARY FOR DECEMBER 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 details are below. St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer (10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays) The Parish Eucharist and worship resources will continue to be recorded and made available at www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk/suspended-services-resources Wed 1 St Andrew the Apostle (tr) 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 12noon Funeral - Duncan MacEwan St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Thurs 2 8.00pm Wedding Rehearsal St John’s Fri 3 7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s Sun 5 Second Sunday of Advent 8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s 10.00am All-Age Eucharist St John’s 10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’ 11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's 12noon St John’s Lunch St John’s Hall 6.30pm No Evening Service Mon 6 11.30am Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge 7.00pm Hemel Hempstead School Carol Service St John’s 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall Christmas Social Tue 7 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall 8.00pm PCC Standing Committee Zoom Wed 8 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Thurs 9 10.00am Pixies Hill School Carol Service St John’s 7.00pm Boxmoor School Carol Service St John’s
- 8. - 6 - Fri 10 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall 7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s Sat 11 3.00pm Aeolian Singers Concert with South Hill School Choir St Francis’ 6.30pm Dacorum Community Choir Concert St John’s Sun 12 Third Sunday of Advent 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 6.30pm No Evening Service Mon 13 8.00am Christmas Trees delivered and installed St John’s Tue 14 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall 7.00pm Lockers Park Carol Service St John’s Wed 15 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 11.00am Dressing the Trees St John’s 3.30pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Thurs 16 10.30am Heath Lane Nursery Nativity Heath Lane Nursery 2.15pm South Hill School Carol Service St John’s 7.00pm Westbrook Hay School Carol Service St John’s Fri 17 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s 7.00pm Choir rehearsal St John’s Sat 18 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s 2.00pm Outdoor Community Carols around the Trees St John’s Sun 19 Fourth Sunday of Advent St John’s open for worship only 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 4.30pm Traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols St John’s 6.30pm Traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols St John’s Mon 20 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s
- 9. - 7 - Tues 21 10am-5pm Christmas Tree Festival St John’s Hall 6.00pm Candlelit Carols in aid of the Hospice of St Francis St Francis’ Wed 22 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 11.30am Christmas Holy Communion Mountbatten Lodge 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Thurs 23 2.30pm Christingle Service 1 St John’s 4.30pm Christingle Service 2 St John’s Fri 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 2.30pm Christingle Service 3 St John’s 4.30pm Christingle Service 4 St John’s 6.30pm Carols at the Crib St John’s 11.30pm Midnight Mass St John’s Sat 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 10.00am Parish Christmas Eucharist St John’s 10.00am Mass of Christmas Day St Francis' Sun 26 St Stephen’s Day – Boxing Day 8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s 10.30am Combined Parish St Stephen’s Day Eucharist St Stephen's Mon 27 St John the Evangelist - No services today Tue 28 The Holy Innocents - No services today Wed 29 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Fri 31 MASJ New Year’s Eve Run and Walk St John’s 11.30am Walkers set off 12noon Runners set off PARISH DIARY FOR JANUARY 2022 Sun 2 The Naming of Jesus 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 Tue 4 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
- 10. - 8 - Wed 5 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Fri 7 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s Sat 8 5.00pm MASJ: A Glittering New Year Concert St John’s Sun 9 EPIPHANY SUNDAY 8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s 10.00am All-Age Eucharist St John’s 10.00am Sung Mass St Francis' 11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's Mon 10 11.30am Mountbatten Lodge Communion Mountbatten Lodge 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall Tue 11 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall Wed 12 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Fri 14 5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s Sun 16 The Baptism of Christ 8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s 10.00am Combined Parish Eucharist St John’s No Services at St Francis’ or St Stephen’s today 11.30am Church Meeting: PCC St John’s Hall Tues 18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall 8.00pm Church Meeting: Communications Committee Zoom Wed 19 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s 3.30pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall 4.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s 5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’ Fri 21 7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s Sun 23 Second Sunday of Epiphany 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 6.30pm Choral Evensong for Unity St John’s
- 11. - 9 - Mon 24 tbc Living in Love and Faith Conversation tbc 7.45pm Together on Monday Club St John’s Hall Tues 25 Conversion of Paul 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall 8.00pm Church Meeting: Finance Committee Zoom 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 Sat 29 5.00pm MASJ Evening Concert St John’s 7.30pm Church Quiz St John’s Hall Sun 30 Third Sunday of Epiphany 8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s 10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s 10.00am Sung Mass - President: Bishop Norman St Francis' 11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's Mon 31 tbc Living in Love and Faith Conversation tbc 8.00pm Church Meeting: Fundraising Committee Zoom Advent: a Season of Watching and Waiting… This year our celebrations of Christmas will be different, so why not make Advent different? For most of us Advent is swallowed-up in the frenetic busy-ness of preparing ourselves physically for Christmas: shopping, parties, wrapping, cook- ing. But Advent is traditionally a time of watching and waiting for the coming of Christ: waiting with eager anticipation for his radiant light to shine forth, dispel- ling the lingering gloom beset upon us. This year, perhaps more than in recent years, we wait in hopeful longing for his peace and enduring presence as the pandemic rages on. I encourage you all to set aside 5 minutes each day – perhaps when you open your Advent Calendar – to pray for the needs of the world and for the coming of God’s Kingdom of justice and mercy here on earth. Cont’d…...
- 12. - 10 - Virtual Advent Sunday Reflection Last year necessity (through the introduction of Lockdown 2.0) saw the innovation of a virtual Advent Sunday Reflection. This service was much enjoyed with the added bonus of being able to worship in one’s own homes rather than coming to the physical church building on a cold, dark, night. Having learnt from this experi- ence we are once again offering our Advent Sunday Reflection online. This can be joined from 6.30pm on Sunday 28 November. My sincere thanks to our choir and readers for pre-recording this service and a special thank you to Keith Beniston our Director of Music for also recording, editing, and producing this service. Advent gift to children Children remain a much valued and cherished part of our worshipping community. To help show this, and through a very kind donation, we are giving an Advent Calendar to as many of the children with which we are associated as possible. The Calendars, produced by the Meaningful Chocolate Company, tell the Real Story of Christmas with a 24 page/day story of the nativity of Christ. Christmas 2021 – not quite “normal” but getting there Planning is well in place for us to celebrate afresh the birth of the babe of Bethle- hem, our saviour Jesus Christ, together once again. Our planning assumes that Public Worship will continue to be permitted with the restrictions we already have in place: mask wearing in crowded places and when moving around, social distancing, Track and Trace, and sanitising. If changes are needed to be made to this, I will let you know as soon as possible via the Newsletter/Website/Facebook. These restrictions make our ‘traditional’ offering of services on Christmas Eve very difficult as there no way we can fit 1500 people into St John’s, all socially distanced, over 5 services – especially as 2 of these ‘usual’ services often have attendances of over 400 people. Like last year, we are therefore introducing more services and a ticketing system. For service times see the calendar. • Tickets are free and can be obtained via our website www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk, email to [email protected], or phone call to our Office 01442 260299. Ticketing will mean that our capaci- ty increases to 200 people although that number is highly unlikely. Tick- eting will also help with Track & Trace. All data will be GDPR compliant and deleted after the required 21 days after the service. Tickets are released at 9.00am on 1 December. • Services will be as near to ‘normal’ as possible with congregational and choral carol singing once again returning.
- 13. - 11 - • Christingle Services will happen but instead of giving everyone a made Christingle we will give every child a goody bag with all the materials need- ed to make their own during the service. The collection will continue to go to the Children’s Society and their work in helping children and families in difficulty. • Virtual Services will continue over Christmas. Services marked † in the calendar or on the Christmas Card will be available on our website to watch and join. I remain indebted to our Director of Music for his technical knowledge and commitment to getting these services online. Regrettably it may not be possible for these services to be live services although we hope the new AV system will be up and running by Christmas. • Christmas Charities this year will be St Mungos, DENS, and the life of this Parish. Parish Carol Service: A Festival of Lessons and Carols Many will remember that in recent years our worship at the Parish Carol Service has been augmented by the presence of The St John’s Ensemble. It is a pleasure to be able to welcome the ensemble back again this year for what promises to be another fabulous service in honour of Lord’s birth among us. Based on attendance figures for 2019, coupled with restrictions, we are planning to hold this service twice on Sunday 19 December: 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Come and hear our excel- lent choir join the songs of the angels and have a good sing yourself. I should also like to express our sincere thanks to MASJ for supporting this service by awarding St John’s a grant for the professional musicians on duty. Admission will be via free ticket (see details above). Parish Christmas Card/Publicity Christmas is coming… come and celebrate with us! That’s our message this year as we return to something like normal. But so that people know where and when they can join us in worship of our Lord’s birthday we need to get the word out. Please, please, please would you help deliver the Cards to every home within the Parish. A sign-up list of all the roads where delivery is needed is at the back of St John’s. Cards need to be out by 15 December. Thank you in advance for your help. Christmas Tree Festival: 17-21 December Building on innovations introduced last year, and with the ability to reintroduce some of our traditional practices, the Christmas Tree Festival will offer more trees than last year – both inside church and outside. Over 30 trees will be lit/ decorated in a bid to bring some festive cheer to our community. Cont’d….
- 14. - 12 - Christmas Tree Festival: 17-21 December cont’d…. Admission to church on Friday and Saturday, Monday and Tuesday £2.50 per adult, closed on Sunday for worship. The trees will remain lit until 5 January. The Outside Carols round the Trees last year was such a success we shall be doing this again. Therefore on Saturday 18 December at 2.00pm come along to St John’s Churchyard – whatever the weather – and sing your favourite carols. We intend to create the feel of a continental market by selling Glühwein and Hot Dogs – all in accordance with government regulations. If you are able to join I look forward to seeing you. St Francis’ Carols – in aid of The Hospice of St Francis One of the charities that has been hit hard by a curtailment of fundraising oppor- tunities has been St Francis Hospice. Many will have experienced first-hand the care and support they give to patients and families during their final days together. In support of their work, a retiring collection will be taken after this informal gathering for carols and readings at St Francis Church, 6.00pm, Tuesday 21 December. Admission by Free Ticket (see above). St Stephen’s Day Celebrations I’m aware that for many the prospect of coming to Church on Boxing Day is not very appealing – you’re ‘churched out’ by that point. But this year Boxing Day is a Sunday! And in this Parish we are blessed with a Church dedicated to God’s glory in the name of St Stephen, deacon and first martyr for Jesus Christ, whose Feast Day is 26 December. Once again we shall give thanks to God for Stephen at a Service of Holy Communion with Carols at 10.30am in St Stephen’s, Hazeldell Road. All are most welcome as we give thanks for the ministry and presence we have within the Chaulden area. There will be no service at St Francis that day. Please see the calendar for more details. Pastoral Care and Prayer You may or may not know that every day Morning and Evening Prayer is offered to the praise of God’s name where we pray for the life of the Parish, those who live or work in the parish, members of our congregation by name, our schools, health care providers, emergency services, civic leaders, those in distress or need, those who are sick, those who are bereaved, and those who have died. We are only too happy to pray for you or someone you know to be in need of prayer but it is not easy so to do if we don’t know of the need. Please speak to a member of the Ministry Team to share any Prayer Requests and do keep us informed of any changes. For some I know confidentiality is an issue. But to overcome this we each have our own private lists of people we pray for in addition to the Parish List in the Newsletter. So please, how can we pray for you?
- 15. - 13 - Ruth’s Farewell – 2.0 On Sunday 21 November Ruth was invited to our combined Parish Eucharist to preach once again and give us the chance to raise a glass to her and hear how she is getting on in life after her time with us. Once again she preached brilliantly, was warm and generous although evidently in some physical discomfort. Thank you Ruth for your ministry among us and for your friendship. St John’s Choir Stalls For the last 14 months (since choral singing was permitted again) the choir stalls have been stored in the Lady Chapel to create a more flexible space, allowing for social distancing. This openness had been much appreciated but it has come at the cost of our Lady Chapel. During November an open meeting of the PCC was held to discuss returning the choir stalls in a modified way so that a) the Lady Chapel could be returned to use; b) the choir stalls reintroduced; c) the space and openness we have grown used to in quire preserved; and d) the stalls made fit for purpose. Following this meeting the PCC resolved to reintroduce the Stalls with some minor amendments. These are: 1) the back row is widened to enable easier access; 2) the top desks are to become detachable and used only at significant choral services; 3) the front desks are removed for everyday use but returned for significant choral services. My sincere thanks to our team of carpenters who are making these changes possible. St John the Evangelist window painting Many people have commented over the years how much they appreciate and like the stained glass window of St John the Evangelist in memory of Canon Hamilton in the Lady Chapel. One of our congregation, Graham Cutts, has painted this window and now, in a bid to raise funds for the Parish, is raffling it off. The painting would cost £850 if you bought it in an art gallery but it could be yours for £10 if you buy a ticket. A mini- mum of 90 tickets are to be sold before the winning ticket is drawn. So… the sooner you get your ticket, the sooner the painting could be yours. Countdown to Christmas Fayre Thank you to everyone who helped at the fayre for all your hard work in making the fayre such a success – both financially and socially. Cont’d….
- 16. - 14 - Countdown to Christmas Fayre cont’d…. Our organising team enabled the fayre to be as Covid-safe as possible whilst keeping the fun and enabling a lovely atmosphere. On the day over £2850 was raised but I believe subsequent donations and purchases have pushed the total over £3K. Thank you and well done. Junior Choir Thank you to Katherine Cox (nee Boyce) for working hard with our ever growing and enthusiastic Junior Choir. For the last few All Age Eucharist services our Junior Choir have led the singing with great gusto and joy – how lovely it is to hear children singing once again. Junior Church Junior Church is a much valued part of our ministry here but it can only happen if we are compliant with all the necessary checks to keep children and leaders safe. One such requirement is that at least 2 adults are present when Junior Church meets. Our leaders therefore need an adult with them each week for the sessions to go ahead. We urgently need volunteers to commit and sign-up to being an assistant with Junior Church. Our leaders will do all the work – you just need to be there. Can you help? Sunday 16 January – Combined Parish Eucharist Please note that this will be a combined Parish Eucharist at St John’s, followed by a PCC meeting. The Church and Sexuality – Living in Love and Faith The Church of England over the last year has begun a consultation exercise to discern what the Spirit might be saying to the Church on the issues of human sexuality and identity. There is a genuine desire to discover the mind of the Church and to appraise whether the Church’s traditional teaching and doctrine are fit for 21st Century witness and discipleship. Our Deanery would like to offer this consultation process across the whole Deanery and will therefore be running a 5 week programme of facilitated conversations starting in late January. Please see the Newsletter for more details as they emerge.
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- 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: [email protected] 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- [email protected] for further information and availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908 Christmas Rush That time again, my trolley’s full Buying all the Christmas fare, A turkey crown, a rib of beef, Crisps and nibbles, lots to spare. Christmas crackers and serviettes, Paper for wrapping and cards to send, Nuts and oranges, figs and dates The list goes on, there seems no end. In all this rush it’s good to pause And think about that special Day, When shepherds watched and angels sang As a Baby lay in a bed of hay. By Megan Carter
- 19. - 17 - Please Note: St. John's Church PCC cannot accept any responsibility for goods or services
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- 22. - 20 - Christmas Tree Festival 2021 Friday 17 – Tuesday 21 December “A light shines in the darkness…” Despite the pandemic, we managed to hold a very successful, albeit rather different, Christmas Tree Festival last year! There were only a few trees inside the church, but for the first time we installed trees outside in the church grounds, not decorated, but brightly lit, shining a light in the darkness of the pandemic, shining a light in the darkness of winter. The community responded and the Festival was well-attended, especially the out- door carol singing on the Saturday afternoon, possibly the only live carol singing some were able to manage at all! Festive cheer prevailed despite the rain. Roll the calendar forward one year, and the pandemic has not, alas, gone away, although vaccination has changed the situation and life has achieved a new normality, many still suffer, many are fearful. We hope that the 2021 Christmas Tree Festival will have the same impact on the community and that we will be able to show the Light of Christ in the World once more, also to bring some Christmas cheer. There will be more decorated trees inside the church than last year, but also more trees outside, developing further the idea initiated for 2020, opening our Christmas message to the wider community. Needless to say, we will abide by whatever level of Covid regulations are in force at the time.
- 23. - 21 - The church will be open from Friday 17December: 10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday 18 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm Sunday 19 December: CLOSED for worship including Carol Services Monday 20 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday 21 December: 10.00am – 5.00pm Admission: Adults £2.50; kids go free All are welcome to come and see the trees. Come along and enjoy the light in the darkness! On Saturday 18 December there will be Outdoor Carols at 2.00pm (and maybe even a visit from Santa.) We intend to have a Hot Dog Stall and Mulled wine too! The times of all Christmas Services are listed in this magazine and the Parish Christmas card will be delivered to every house in the parish. Any updates necessitated by circumstances will be notified on our Newsletter and Facebook page.
- 24. - 22 - 'Music Percentage Club Update’ Congratulations to the winners of the October Music Percentage Club draw: Nicholas King 1st £15 Richard Lyne 2nd £8 Marion Roff 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 Glittering New Year Concert.. A glittering New Year concert, aimed at all the family will be presented at St John's by Music at St John’s on January 8th 2022 at 5 pm given by the St John's Ensemble, conducted by Keith Beniston. The programme will feature a host of light and accessible music with more than a hint of the Vienna of the Strauss family, and will dip into the world of musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof (with baritone Thomas Isherwood) and the overture from The White Horse Inn. A key item will be the graceful and energetic Trumpet Concerto by Haydn, played by David Marley, a regular member of the ensemble. Chase away a winter evening and the gloom of 2021 as we boldly embark on 2022. Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for children under 16 and can be reserved by calling 07968 297313. See the MASJ website: https://www.masj.org.uk/
- 25. - 23 - FEBRUARY 2022 - PRICE 60p Please note the deadline for articles for the February 2022 edition of the maga- zine is Sunday, 2nd January 2022. You can e-mail direct to [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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 - [email protected] 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: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular monthly basis, please email [email protected] or telephone him on 01442 242543 or complete your details below and return tear-off slip to: Mr. Alan Munford, 16 St Nicholas Mount, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BB Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ........................................................................................................................... Contact Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………...
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- 27. - 25 - ‘Hurrah’ – we are up and ‘running’ again MASJ Annual ‘New Year’s Eve’ 10k Run & 4k Walk Friday 31st December We are very pleased to say that following last year’s cancellation, due to the pandemic, our Annual ‘New Year’s Eve’ 10k Run & 4k Walk will take place on 31st December this year. Local athletes have gathered in St John’s Church for registration from 11.00am each New Year’s Eve since 2013 ready for the ‘Off’. The walkers leave the church first at 11.30am followed by the runners 30 minutes later at 12noon. The route, which is mainly ‘off-road’ encompasses Boxmoor, Bourne End, Potten End, Warners End and back through Boxmoor to St John’s Church. Although this event is not a race, we do have ‘marshals’ at strategic points, and there are also ‘signs’ positioned along the route to guide the athletes. When the athletes return to St John’s they are welcomed with light refreshments which provide a time to socialise with other participants. Taking part in this social event is a very good way to rid yourself of the surplus weight you may have attracted over the Christmas period and to prepare for the New Year ahead. Entrance fees, payable on the day, at registration, are £10 for runners and £5 for walkers. All money raised on the day goes towards the work of our charity Music at St John’s, (Registered Charity Number; 1119580) Come and join us, and we look forward to welcoming you this coming New Year’s Eve.
- 28. - 26 - The Hemel Hempstead Rotary Santa Sleigh 2021 House to House calen- dar is now out. As per last year we will not be knocking on doors. We are asking you to come out to greet Santa as the sleigh passes. We have reviewed and extended all our routes to cover more streets and delight more children. Some roads/streets have been added, some have been moved to different routes and some have regrettably had to be removed. Please check out our new Santa Sleigh Street Finder http:// www.hemelsantasleigh.co.uk/ (please type this link into your browser) to find your nearest route. Santa’s route will be nearby even if it doesn’t directly pass your house. For those who haven’t got access to social media here is a schedule of Boxmoor’s Santa sleigh routes. But to briefly explain - Boxmoor will have three routes one 5A, 6 and 22A. Passing through different roads! Friday 3 December - route 22A Commencing 6 pm from St Mary & St Joseph Parish Centre. Sunday 5 December - route 6 Starting from Gade Valley school - passing along St. John’s Road between Beechfield Rd & Anchor Lane and is scheduled to be in St. John’s Road between 7 & 7.15 pm. Monday 6 December - route 5A 6pm - about 8 ish. Commencing Methodist Church car park. Radio Dacorum posted the sound bite on their Facebook page, please see link below: https://fb.watch/8-SaGx3naH/ (please type this link into your browser)
- 29. - 27 - A new Bible for all your family In partnership with Youth for Christ and several other family-focussed organisations, the Bible Society has created an edition of the Bible specifi- cally designed for families. The Good News Bible – Family Edition has plenty of features to help each member of the family engage with the Bible at their own pace. The Bible Society says: “We know that doing Bible reading as a group can be difficult, so we have designed this new Bible to be a resource that encourages families to respond creatively to the text, whilst supporting individual preferences for engaging. Based on the five themes of THINK, CHAT, DO, CREATE and WATCH, the Bible contains “plenty of interactions” to suit every member of a family. The aim is to allow families “to journey through the Bible together”, and in the process come closer to God, and to each other. Find out more at: biblesociety.org.uk/gnbfamily Christmas Tree Light-Up: Boho Boxmoor will again be holding a lighting- up ceremony for their tree in the centre of the village, opposite the convenience store, at the bottom of Anchor Lane, at 4 pm on Saturday 4 December. This is usually a popular event.
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- 32. - 30 - at St John’s in the month of October 2021 HOLY BAPTISM 3 October Samuel Joseph Baxter Gadebridge Road May the Lord of his great mercy bless this child and give him understanding of his wisdom and grace. HOLY MATRIMONY No weddings took place in October FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES 2 October Jennifer Susan Rodway Barberry Road 18 October Jean Saxon Ashburner Tring 20 October Cecilia Bertha Brown Adeyfield 22 October Nicholas Erith Rowcroft May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. BURIAL OF ASHES No burials of ashes took place in October
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- 35. - 33 - SMILE-LINES New bank Mother decided that ten-year old Cathy should get something ‘practical’ for Christmas. “Suppose we open a savings account for you?” she suggested. Cathy was delighted. “It’s your account, darling,” mother said as they arrived at the bank, “so you fill out the application.” Cathy was doing fine until she came to the space for ‘Name of your former bank.’ After a slight hesitation, she put down ‘Piggy’. Camels In Jane’s Christmas drawing, two of the camels were approaching the inn, over which was pictured a large star. The third camel and its rider were going directly away from it. “Why is the third man going in a different direction?” her mother asked. Jane replied: “Oh, he’s looking for a place to park.”
- 36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor