Hertingfordbury Parish News: February 2004

Clergy Letter

Dear Friends,

Better late than never so, Happy New Year! I have seen a number of you already this new year, visiting, shopping and in Church. I hope to see many more of you in the coming months. If you would like a home visit (a that and a cup of tea or coffee, no biscuits thank you!), please let me know, my telephone number is in the Magazine. If you are going into hospital or know of someone who is, or are poorly at home, again, PLEASE let me know. Often I am told too late, and then sometimes get accused of not visiting, or worse, being selective' in my visits. Everyone living in the Parish is in my Pastoral care, so please get in touch. I would like to Thank all those who made the Christmas period such a good one. Those who joined in the Church cleaning , brass polishing and decorating with holly and ferns and candles and those gorgeous sprayed dry heads of ??seeds.

To the young people who rang our Handbells so magnificently under the direction of Claire and Emma. Congratulations to Malcolm (Organist and Choirmaster) and to the choristers for yet another splendid Carols and Lessons, and the team of people who supplied and served the refreshments at this Service; to Susan and Richard Hitch for erecting the Christmas Trees and the Stable. Did you see the collection of animal visitors to our Stable? A special word must go to our Churchwardens Jane and Robin, without their help and support I could not achieve the aims I set.

Last but by no means least a HUGE THANK YOU to ALL of YOU for your support at the various Services over the Festive Season. To see the children at the Crib and Gift Service as they take their given character to the Stable; to hear our young chorister Luke Stannard sing Away in a Manger .... all have to be experienced to be appreciated; to be able to share in the Celebration of Holy Communion at the Midnight Service, and again on Christmas Morning is a Privilege and a Joy. So, thank you all for making my Christmas... Wonderful!

The New Year will offer many challenges to each of us in many different ways. To help, I will be running a Lent Study Group CHURCH A good number would be 10. Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible so that I can order the required number of books. They will cost £3.00p each. Please see special notice in this magazine for further details. It is a course meant for everybody to help in their journey on the Christian path. Come and journey with me.

Love and Blessings

Rev'd. Rosemary.

Please note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.