Great Amwell with St. Margaret's and Stanstead Abbots Benefice
FROM THE ASSISTANT PRIEST: Revd Bill Church
Dear brothers and sisters,
November is a month of memories.
We start with All Saints Day (1st November) and All Souls Day (2nd November) when we remember those who have run this earthly race before us. It is the traditional occasion to bring before God those whom we have loved but see no longer - there is a Memorial Service in St John’s, Great Amwell on November 7th at 3.30pm.
Hallowe’en (the day before All Saints) is “celebrated” by some people as an attempt to frighten, in jest or in earnest. Before Christianity came here, people were genuinely frightened as the days grew shorter and darker. Would summer ever return? Would the dead come back to do us harm? Christians by contrast believe the dead are the great company of heaven who know and praise God. Churchyards are not “spooky” – they are the earthly resting places of our forebears. These places should be respected, but not feared.
And on Remembrance Sunday (14th November – services in all three churches) we remember and give thanks for those who struggled and sometimes died in this country’s wars. Without them, we could have inherited a very different country.
Finally, Advent begins on 28th November. Advent is the season when we think about the last things – heaven and hell, death and judgment – but also prepare to welcome the Christ child, without whom the world would indeed be dark and frightening.
Yours with love and hope,
If you need a lift to take you to a hospital appointment or short-term help with shopping, dog-walking (e.g. during or following an illness), or would like a visit or a prayer call Careline: 01920 871678 between 9am and 6pm (except in an emergency) We’ll do our best to help |
Lunches for Charities: Thursday 4th November
Come and join us – everyone, of all ages, is welcome to this free lunch at 1pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, with donations given to Breakthrough Breast Cancer . [See separate article]. Please feel welcome to go after coffee, or stay on for the Holy Communion service at 2.30pm.
Memorial service
We will be holding our annual Memorial service at 3.30pm in St John the Baptist Gt Amwell church on Sunday 7th November. If we were involved in the funeral during the past year, relatives will have received an invitation to the service, but if you would like a loved-one's name to be included or come along to the service, please contact the Vicarage.
Study course for Year 5 & 6 children
in St Margaret’s on Mondays 8th November – 6th December, 6.15pm.
Baptism preparation course
Our next course for those interested in Baptism for their children will be on Wednesdays 10th, 17th, and 24th November at 7.30pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts. If you are interested in attending or would like to know more about the course, please contact Ann Edwards (01920 485279).
November 14th
| 9.30am Family Service with Act of Remembrance
at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell 10am Morning Service with Act of Remembrance at St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots 10.55am Act of Remembrance & Holy Communion at St Margaret’s Parish Church |  |
Alpha Course
Starting on Wednesday November 10th through to 8th December, and continuing in January 2005! 8pm in the Manor Barn, Hoddesdon Road. Contact Lizzie Habashi 07785 816707 for further details.
(amended from last month’s magazine)
Advent Sunday Prayer & Praise – 28th November
6.30pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane
Advent Carols by Candlelight – 5th December
4pm at St James’ Church, Roydon Road, Stanstead Abbots
(remember to wrap up warmly and bring a torch for afterwards)
Advent Carol Service – 5th December
6.30pm at St John the Baptist, Great Amwell
12th December
4pm Christingle Service at St Andrew’s
4pm Christingle Service at St John the Baptist
4.30pm Christingle Service at St Margaret’s
19th December
10.15am Nativity Service at St. Andrew's
4pm 9 Lessons & Carols at St. Margaret's
6.30pm Carols by Candlelight at St. Andrew's
24th December: Christmas Eve
4pm Crib Service at St. John the Baptist
11pm 'Midnight Communion' at St. Andrew's
11.30pm 'Midnight Mass' at St. John the Baptist
25th December: Christmas Day
10am Morning Prayer at St John the Baptist
10.15am Christmas Praise & Communion, St. Andrew's
10.30am Holy Communion at St. Margaret's
26th December: St Stephens (Boxing Day)
10.30am Holy Communion at St Margaret’s
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We welcomed in baptism
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Saturday 27th November
from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Father Christmas Toys and books
Lunches and refreshments Bric a brac
Tombola Raffle Balloons
Plants Lucky dip Crafts
AND MUCH MORE!
Enquiries: 01920 870027
 | NEWS FROM AROUND
THE DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS 7th November X-plosion – the annual ecumenical event for young peopleat All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney between 5.30pm and 8pm. An evening of live music with Tau, food and fireworks. Cost £9 for those in employment and £7 for those in full time education or unemployed. Details and tickets from the Diocesan Youth Office, 01707 386019 admin@voicemail.org.uk |
20th November "Preparing for Christmas", a Prayer Day at St Francis Church, Welwyn Garden City. Prayer Activities for all ages 10am - 4pm drop in any time.
20th November The Essential Conference - for young leaders and leaders of young peole, Dame Alice Harper School, Bedford, all day. Details: 01707 386019.
 | Sleep-Out 2004 This year's event at St Albans Abbey will take place on Friday December 10th. The charities being supported this year are: The Kings Arms Project - a Christian charity providing night shelter accommodation, longer term residential care and other services for homeless and vulnerable people in the Bedford area; OPEN DOOR – a charity which provides an emergency night shelter in the middle of St Albans for rootless and homeless people, along with a range of services provided on a drop-in basis and DENS - Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter, serving Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring areas and raising funds for the new project to provide a day centre. |
For more information about Sleep-out contact Valerie Geldard on 01727 851748, e-mail vgeldard@stalbans.anglican.org.
This month’s lunch for charities on Thursday 4th November 1pm in the Wilshere Hall, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbots will support
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK's leading breast cancer charity and is committed to fighting breast cancer through research and awareness. Breakthrough was the vision of Bill Freedman and his children after his wife Toby Robins died from breast cancer in 1986.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer aims to:
- initiate and support research which aims ultimately to eradicate breast cancer by discovering the causes of the disease, finding methods of prevention and developing new treatments
- create a focus for breast cancer research through the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, housed in the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green building at the Institute of Cancer Research; the first of its kind in the UK
- encourage the rapid communication of research findings for the practical benefit of people with breast cancer
- foster partnerships between organisations concerned with breast cancer
- promote breast cancer education and awareness among the public, policy makers, health professionals and the media
- campaign for policies that support breast cancer research and a pioneering approach to breast cancer services in the UK.
Breakthrough has a free phone information line to provide information on breast cancer, Breakthrough activities and research to supporters. The number is 08080 100 200 (free phone) and will be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to noon on Saturdays.
Judy Rodgers took part in the Flora Light Run in Hyde Park this September supporting Breakthrough Breast Cancer. She and Duncan will be providing this month’s Lunch for Charities and look forward to seeing you there - and raising more money for their chosen charity.
 Imagine God at a huge computer console.
A celestial programmer building software for us all to use. All we have to do is use the mouse of prayer to open the folder of his love, and access a whole range of programmes. Programmes to support us when in doubt; to protect us when in danger; to comfort us in our grief and to share with us in our joy. Our “User Manual” (the Bible) is readily available and easy to use. We just need to click on to the relevant passage to bring up the menu of tools to show us the way. Of course, there will be times when hackers break in to corrupt the files. When the virus we know as the Devil disrupts the whole system. When our personal computer is in danger of crashing. But God is our Anti-virus, our Firewall, always available to restore our system to order. All we have to do is switch on and call him up. |
 | St Andrew’s School
Stanstead Abbotts CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Saturday 4th December 12noon - 4pm in the school hall Come and see Father Christmas Buy all your Christmas presents Refreshments Stalls and much more! |
DOES GOD WORK?
Northern India is home to one of the fastest growing revival movements on earth," the Mission known as 'Agape Voice' reports. “Last year alone 200 new house churches were planted in Hariyana, long considered to be one of the least evangelised states. According to an April 2004 report, the number of house churches in Northern India has grown to around 30,000 in the past 7 years, with an additional 28,000 regular home prayer meetings. Experience has shown that these rapidly become house churches." Meanwhile, the Canada‑based “Fresh Fire” Ministries reports that nearly a quarter of a million people attended the Jesus Festival in Andhra Pradesh last month. “Night after night busloads of interested Indians being transported to the crusade ground from their respective villages, truly amazed us. Their desire to forsake their gods and follow after Jesus was truly encouraging.” The report further claims that 139,200 people made a decision for Christ during the Festival. With the India culture, it is not easy to measure exactly what it means to “make a decision for Christ” in a crusade context. However, God is at work and many Indians are showing a real interest in the Gospel.
GOD IS WORKING
Yes, God is at work, and He chooses where He will work. At present in the Eastern and Mid‑East Regions and South America where vast numbers of persons are being converted. Where does Europe and Britain come in His plan? We do not know, but there is no doubt that He is still working in peoples’ hearts everywhere ‑ in some places, more than others. Yes, God is working. He is Sovereign Lord working out His purposes for the world He created. He loved this planet (not the world of man's making) so much that He sent His much loved Son, Jesus, to redeem us and deliver us from this present evil world.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life.
| A Quiz was held in the George IV Pub last month and the proceeds of over £150 were given to
St John the Baptist Church. We thank Barbara and Gordon for their generosity. |
 | NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE W.I.
St. Margaret’s Evening W.I. has enjoyed an array of activities during the summer. In June we entertained about 50 members from various Institutes at our annual Garden Party. The same month The Fiddlers Brook Morris Dancers visited us at our meeting. We were all shuffling our feet and waving our arms about but not one of us was asked back for a second audition…. I wonder why? |
Mrs. Maureen Dobkin recalled her ‘Time as a Journalist’ in July. A typewriter bought for 1s 9d was the moment she realised she wanted to become a writer. Mrs. Dobkin went on to interview many famous people as she carved her career as a journalist. She wrote for the TV Times, the Radio Times and even wrote pieces for an Australian magazine.
Mrs. June Crew was our speaker in August. Her talk about ‘Hertfordshire Caves’ was enlightening. It’s amazing how many things you don’t know about in your own county.
A trip down the Mimram River was our treat in September. Not literally, but a colourful slide show by Mr. Tony Rook. Mr. Rook took us from Whitwell to Hertford via all the stately homes along its bank. What an eye-opener! I’m sure some of our ladies will be walking along the banks visiting some of the lovely places next summer.
Our once a month, lunchtime get-togethers are becoming popular with our members. We meet at various local eateries and sit and chat about nothing in particular. A nice way to relax and forget about everyday things for a while. If you fancy coming along give one of us a ring and we’ll let you know when and where.
Our Carol Service this year will be on December 14th at St Andrew’s Church, Stanstead Abbots, 7:30 for 7:45pm. Please come and join us.
| December 2004 Parishes Magazine
Items for the next magazine should reach Derek Mayes (Gt Amwell with St Margaret’s) and Lynne Heraud (Stanstead Abbots) by 14th November please. |
November and December
Ladies Evening 7pm until 10pm
Festival of Art at Haileybury, Hertford Heath
Friday 3rd December – Buntingford, The Manor House 6pm
Saturday 4th December – Sawbridgeworth, Baker’s Walk 4pm
Friday 10th December – Bishop’s Stortford, Market Square 4pm
Saturday 11th December – Ware, Van Hage Garden Centre 4pm
Saturday 11th December – Hertford, Castle Hall 4pm
Remembering loved ones or special friends with the donation of a light at Christmas. For a leaflet to make a donation please contact 01707 376782.
10.30am to 4.30pm Little Hadham Village Hall
Although foreign competition increased rapidly, mainly from Thailand and China, Ashley farm still has chickens today. Meanwhile wheat costs were going up and prices going down. William's pigs had to go and their shed let out for storage, which, as William said, "was not farming!". The pattern of farming continues to change; milk is being imported from the EU: the number of dairy farms has declined by more than 90%: France banned British beef, illegally: time‑wasting inspections are enforced: buyers ‑ especially ruthless supermarkets ‑ rule the prices.
You would have expected such a catalogue of woe to depress the audience, but most seemed to be stimulated to ask many questions. I asked what William Ashley would do when the business finally became unsustainable. 'I shall still have my land", he replied. He has already had a suggestion from Lancaster's to rent his large chickenshed to store Mercedes cars, which could give him a better return than from the chickens! I think we were all impressed by his amusing way of giving the bad news, and by his unquenchable enthusiasm.
For those who are, like me, still seeking the Scarlet Pimpernel – no I haven’t seen any this year, but have been told on a walk between Therfield and Kelshall, the Scarlet Pimpernel was growing in abundance, and what a pretty sight it was. When rain threatens, the flowers close, but in fine weather they remain open for most of the day. The Scarlet Pimpernel is now an endangered plant, so let’s hope it flourishes well.
Did you know that if you stood at the highest point of Therfield Heath, there would be nothing between you and the North Pole?
20th November - Christmas Bazaar
11.00 am - 4.00pm in the Age Concern Hall, Ware.
Bring the children or grandchildren along to meet Santa.
Great selection of Christmas cards, gifts and wrapping paper, etc. Refreshments available. Other charities also represented.
4th December - Quiz evening
Great Amwell Parish Hall. 7.00pm start. Teams of a max of 6. Tickets £5 per head (includes finger buffet).
For tickets please call Jan on 07714 510893, after 7.00 pm.
Information about future events to me by 7th of November month please. “Contact” or a telephone number is for further information. Rosemary Imroth 01920 424140 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 4 Monday 8th Evergreen Club – Outing to “The Queen Victoria” at Theydon Bois for lunch. Leave at 11.30am Thursday 11th Hearing Aid Support Service 10.30am in the Folly Community Room Thursday 11th Great Amwell Women’s Institute 2pm in the Parish hall, Great Amwell. AGM followed by Bill Bossom speaking on “The Gardens of Capel Manor” Friday 29th Amwell Society 8pm in the Parish hall, Great Amwell. Meiron Morris talk entitled ”Never Again” - He ran the London Marathon! |
for the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust 2004
 | The Bike Ride took place on September 11th. Graham Dowton had a splendid number of sponsors, visited 30 churches and raised £121 for St Andrew’s Church. Richard and Sue Atkins visited 20 churches and made £94 for St James. Jonathan Pilkington rode for the first time with his two little daughters and made £270, half for St Andrew’s and half for St James’. The total collected was £271 for St Andrew’s and £484 for St James. |
Thank you very much indeed for all the help given by our kind supporters who sat in the churches and welcomed all the visitors.
51 people visited St Andrew’s and 31 visited St James’.
I hope next year we may get more riders. It is a wonderful way of visiting our beautiful churches, meeting new people, enjoying the countryside, and contributing to the Historic Churches Trust.
My renewed thanks to riders, sponsors, church helpers and all who took an interest.
Reports on the results of the Sponsored Bicycle Ride from St John the Baptist Church and St Margaret’s Parish Church in the next magazine
I arrived in Mozambique a month ago and it really has been a month packed with new experiences. I am living with the family of the Anglican Bishop of Niassa (in northern Mozambique) during my stay and they have made me feel very welcome. I have my own room in a separate wing of the house and share basic cooking facilities and a bathroom with an American girl, Rebecca, who is also living with the family. Facilities are fairly basic and the biggest problem seems to be water. We are reliant on the town’s water supply and it is not on very often at the moment because the water is running low in the reservoir which serves Lichinga. The rainy season is due to start in December and that will therefore replenish water supplies. It has really made me appreciate what a necessity water is and how much I take it for granted that water will just come out of a tap when its turned on.
I am living in a small town called Lichinga. Although it is the provincial capital, it is actually probably the size of Ware. When I arrived, Jacaranda trees were all in bloom with purple flowers, which makes the town very attractive. Although most of the roads within the town are tar, as you get to the outskirts where the majority of the residents of Lichinga live, the roads turn into dirt tracks and the majority of people live in houses made out of mud-bricks and reed roofs. The minimum wage in Mozambique is about £30 per month and thus there is a huge amount of poverty within Lichinga. It’s quite a shock coming from materially rich Britain.
One of the main aims of the programme which I am taking part in is to learn about the work of the church in another part of the world. Niassa is a huge diocese covering half of Mozambique. Despite this, there are only 22 priests for over 200 congregations. I have been going to a church in Lichinga and when the priest is not there, the service is taken by a catechist, many of whom have been chosen simply because they can read. The catechist doing one of the services I attended repeated part of the service twice. Despite this, it is a growing church and there is an amazing choir. It has also been very welcoming and I was welcomed formally as a visitor and was asked to say a bit about myself. Last week, a synod was held in the diocese, a momentous occasion because although the diocese has existed for twenty five years, there has never been a synod here. It culminated in an outdoor service at the training centre, which was an amazing experience. The Mother’s Union were dancing and singing and choirs from all the churches in Lichinga came.
While I am in Lichinga, my main responsibility will be home schooling the Bishop’s two youngest children. I am also doing some extracurricular things with the children and with some other ex-pat children who are here - such as music lessons and sewing. I am also planning to organise a Christmas play with the ex-pat children.
OF THE THREE VILLAGES
Welcome to three new members plus another three or four who may join us next week. We had a lovely drive and a splendid tea in Finchingfield, and another excellent excursion when we returned to “The Owl” in Epping Forest for lunch.
ADVANCE NOTICE of our December special programme:
December 6th: We look forward to our Christmas lunch at “The Papillon” which has been booked already.
December 13th – Christmas Party at the hall.
 | POLICE LAUNCH
'NON-EMERGENCY' TELEPHONE NUMBER |
By popular demand, a single contact number for non‑emergency calls is being launched this week. The local rate number 0845 33 00 222 can be used from October 4 to reach any Hertfordshire police station, department, unit or member of police staff.
Superintendent Dave Thomson, who is deputy head of Operational Support and led the new number project, said: '1ntroducing this new number will make it much easier for people to contact us. We want to ease any frustration experienced by people trying to find an alternative number to 999 ‑ the 999 service should only be used for emergency calls. 0845 33 00 222 provides a simple way to contact police in Hertfordshire when your call is not urgent but you need help or advice."
Currently there are 26 different police station numbers which all reach one central switchboard, as well as hundreds of direct dial numbers. Although all these numbers can still be used, the new number provides a single point of contact at a local rate, wherever you call from.
AUTUMN FAYRE
Saturday 13th November
12noon – 3pm
See you there!!
On Sundays, St Andrew’s has a crèche at the bottom of the tower, and St Margaret’s and St John’s both have toy boxes at the back of church and children’s service booklets.
St Andrew’s and St Margaret’s both have Sunday Schools (St Andrew’s group is called Challengers) for school-aged children.
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