The Revd Writes… “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” John F Kennedy It can sometimes be quite challenging to think – not least in these days when it seems a revolution is taking place in the political realms of world order. Any pace of rapid change often leaves one feeling disoriented and, it would seem, particularly so at the current time. What was a given, seems no longer so. How and where amidst international relations the dust will settle remains to be seen. Amidst the ongoing agony and trauma of war, we wonder what the longer-term outcome will be for those at the sharp edge of suffering in both Ukraine and Gaza. It is sometimes difficult to think. It was difficult too for Jesus to think. He entered into the desert and was tormented – pulled in different directions, this way and that. I recently asked children in schools to tell me why they thought that the desert might be a good place to think. Little hands went up to tell me that the desert was empty – there was no one there. Solitude, being alone – having no one around you – was the common consensus. I’m of the view that being alone to think can be good, but it doesn’t have to be. And as Christian people, of course, we believe that we are never alone. We walk with God and God walks with us. Truth is, Jesus wasn’t alone in the desert. God, who is Father and Spirit as well as Son, was present, helping the thinking of a conflicted mind, the latter represented by the Devil who, by the way, was big on opinion. “Where do you go when you want to think?” I asked the children. ‘Outside’ mostly seemed to be the response. “On the field!” I couldn’t help but sense that what they were telling me was, ‘anywhere but the classroom!’ One child did explain that being inside was too distracting. Credit for that. You need to go outside to get away from the fragmentation of everything going on around you, away from the TV, computer, etc. Too many influencers with too many opinions can cloud the thinking. The mystery of Easter pushes against ‘opinion’. If you think about it, it disturbs the same old, same old, boom and bust of quite a lot of human behaviour. Bring on courage, sacrifice and a little bit of divine mercy. Now you are thinking… Happy Easter God Bless Mark
The Revd Writes… One or two folks have recently asked if I had considered putting myself forward to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Though serious faced, I am pretty sure they were speaking in jest. I have thought about this in a similar vein. The Baileys are quite used to living in draughty Rectories. However, having just filled up the oil tank at The Rectory, I can’t stop thinking about the cost of heating Lambeth Palace. As a Grade I listed building of significant national heritage importance, no double glazing would be allowed. I strongly suspect that the loft hasn’t been insulated either. After much prayer and deep thought, I am unsure that God would call me to fund heating a palace. I must confess to occasionally being seduced by the splendid ceremonial vestments worn by Archbishops. Yet I painfully recall one Bishop, not that long ago, thanking the General Synod of the Church of England for appointing him to his new job whilst at the same time bankrupting him due to the cost of him having to buy so many new garments and sacred accoutrements. Mitre (pointy hat), crozier (stick), pectoral cross (necklace), purple cassock (long coat with lots of buttons), cope (glitzy overcoat), rochet (linen shirt with fancy cuffs), chimere (red robe with no sleeves – see previous), tippet (black scarf thingy, wider than one worn by priests)… The list goes on. And now that we are in March, far too late to add to the Christmas list. Also, new wardrobe – not IKEA. I think it is probably better (and cheaper) to admire all of this from a distance, spiritually speaking. A chauffeur-driven car would be of real benefit. Since coming to live in Cottered and driving most days along the potholed, narrow, zig-zagging lanes, I have found my faith in miracles has gone from strength to strength. This affirmation of faith has been most vigorously promoted by supermarket delivery van drivers and the occasional parent screaming at a child on the back seat whilst driving into a blind bend. An Archiepiscopal Driver with Advanced Police Driving Licence would be of benefit – I can’t argue with this - though I wonder if it would mean no more ‘Thank You, Lord’ as I swerve to the left… This might just be a loss. Truth is, I have long learned that the grass is rarely greener elsewhere. The gentle undulating landscape of the Beane Valley with its mix of hill and valley people, clustered around small communities in which good neighbourliness and kindness to strangers abounds, is a treasure made in heaven. To serve as parish priest in such a place is a privilege that I suspect many an archbishop would give their ‘high tea!’ So, just to be clear, for Lent, I am giving up on any notion of preferment, willingly and very happily. God Bless Mark
I am writing to say Thank You to everyone who supports the work of our five churches across our benefice. As a grassroots organisation, the local church completely depends upon volunteers' goodwill in enabling worship and ministry to function effectively across our village communities. A big Thank You to all who give of their energy and time in whatever capacity in helping our churches fulfil their mission in being there for everyone. A big Thank You too to all who give so generously financially. Like lots of small charities, the local church is no different in being dependent upon the kindness of those who give their money to meet the day-to-day running costs and maintenance of our ancient buildings and to fund the post of a full-time vicar. Thank You.Each year the Diocese of St Albans sets a figure for Parish Share. This is the amount that each parish is asked to raise to contribute to the overall Diocesan budget. The total budget amounts to around £14 million per annum with parishes asked to find approximately £10 million – most of this coming from regular members of congregations. The balance, £4 million is income generated from Diocesan investments, including income from glebe land and properties. This year the breakdown for our benefice is as follows: Ardeley - £17 706, Benington - £18 632, Cottered - £11 760 and Walkern - £27 427, these figures include an amount that each church gives to support our church at Throcking, which is unable to pay any Parish Share. Thank You to everyone for helping us meet this challenge.For four months (July – October) last year, I was on a period of Extended Study Leave. Usually, after a period of continuous service of eleven years, clergy are encouraged to take a sabbatical. I had served sixteen years since my last sabbatical and was grateful to the Diocese for the opportunity to spend some time away from the coalface and concentrate on a research project that I have been working on for several years. I am now writing up a paper on the life of Revd Ulric Zwinglius Rule (1884 -1924) Vicar, Missionary to Newfoundland and Old Testament Scholar. My being away on leave meant several people across the parishes pulling together to cover a series of gaps. I am all too aware that at times that brought challenges. Thank You to all of our Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries and visiting clergy for all that they did during this leave of absence. It is good to be back!Congratulations to Tom Nutley, who has stepped forward to join our Ministry Team. Tom recently completed his training to become a Lay Leader of Worship (LLW). He is based at St Mary’s, Walkern, but over time, he will lead Services across all of our churches. If anyone is interested in considering becoming an LLW, please speak to me. This involves a six-session training programme run by the Diocese, which is not too onerous but does require a regular commitment to leading Services across the benefice.A number of folks have also agreed to volunteer to read lessons at our Services and become part of a regular rota. This is a big help and is an opportunity to contribute to worship in a meaningful but not too demanding a role. Thank You to Hetta Amiri (Benington), Theresa Brew (Walkern), Christopher Evans (Ardeley) and Ellie Heard (Cottered). If you would like to have a go at doing this but feel a bit daunted about standing up in public, have a word with me or a Churchwarden. You can always have a practice privately and see how you feel thereafter!Our Foodbank, based at St Mary’s, Walkern continues to be an important source of support and help for those for whom life presents real challenges in difficult times. Alongside offering food we also offer an opportunity to ‘belong’ at the Wednesday Coffee Morning – a time to chat and touch base with others. There is also an opportunity to join our Prayer Group. This follows on from Coffee and is an important part of our response to spiritual need. If you know of anyone who you think would benefit from accessing our Foodbank, please let me know. The Foodbank is there for anyone who lives in any of our villages and surrounding hamlets.We now have a new Coffee Morning that meets once a month in Ardeley Village Hall. This meets on the second Tuesday of the month (10 am – 11.30 am) and is already proving to be very popular. Thank You to Rachel Hurst, Sue Jones and the Team for making this happen.Works to the Mortuary Chapel at St Peter’s have been on hold for quite some time as a result of our architect, Francesca Weal being taken very poorly with cancer. It is good to be able to report that Francesca has made a good recovery and is now back to helping us progress with the repurposing of the Chapel space. Plans are being drawn up that will see a series of oak cabinets being introduced along the west wall of the Chapel that will hide all of the new electric works that have been completed and give useful additional storage space. This project is being funded by a legacy left by Brenda Harris, in whose memory the cabinets will be dedicated. It is hoped that the Chapel will become a more flexible space as a vestry as well as being available for small groups and exhibitions.All of our churches and churchyards are blessed with being the final resting place of a number of notable people who have made a significant contribution to national life. St Peter’s, Benington is home to the grave of PC Benjamin Snow, the first modern-day policeman to be shot whilst on duty – 10th January 1871. He subsequently died of his injury. Henry Chauncy wrote his History of Hertfordshire, published in 1700, the first of the genre of what we now term ‘travel guides’. He is laid to rest in St Lawrence’s, Ardeley. St Mary’s, Walkern holds within it the tomb of the Templar Knight, William de Lanvalei. He played a key role in challenging King John, resulting in the relinquishing of certain monarchical powers (1215) and the writing of Magna Carter, a foundational document along the road to democracy. St John the Baptist at Cottered has perhaps the most significant link with more recent history in the grave of Dr James Cantlie, friend and saviour of Sun Yat Sen. Cantlie rescued Sen from certain death when Sen was abducted and held prisoner in the Chinese Embassy in London. It was Cantlie who organised a campaign that secured Sen’s release. Sun Yat Sen would go on to become the first President of China in 1912. 2025 is the centenary of Sun Yat Sen’s death. We welcome Chinese pilgrims wishing to visit Cantlie’s grave as part of this year’s celebrations – as we welcome pilgrims and visitors who visit all of our churches to be inspired and uplifted in remembering those whose lives have impacted the course of history.And by no means finally, my Thank You to Heather Ferguson, our Benefice Administrator, who has an eye for detail and keeps me on track!If you think the Church can be of any help to you, don’t hesitate to get in touch!God BlessMarkmdbailey066@gmail.com (Photograph of our Sister Church of St Mary The Virgin, Walkern, Christmas 2024 by Paul Warner)Follow our Churches on Facebook for the latest news and details of events!
The Revd Writes… The 12th of March is the centenary of the death of Sun Yat-sen, undoubtedly one of the great figures on the world stage during the 20th century. He is revered by the global Chinese community both in the People’s Republic of China, where he is known as the Forerunner of the Revolution, and in Taiwan, where he is acknowledged as the Father of the Nation. Sun Yat-sen was at the forefront of confronting the despotic regime of the Qing Dynasty. Following the success of the 1911 Revolution, in 1912 he became the Provisional President of the Republic of China. A primary influence on Sun Yat-sen was Dr James Cantlie. Cantlie taught medicine at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese where Sun Yat-sen became a student. The two developed a lifelong friendship, a relationship that was to be critical in saving Sun Yat-sen from certain death when he was kidnapped by the Chinese Embassy whilst in exile in London in 1896. Incarcerated in the Embassy, Sun Yat-sen found himself facing the prospect of being smuggled out of the country to China to be executed. It fell to Cantlie to instigate a campaign that eventually secured Sun Yat-sen’s release. It is fair to say that without Cantlie’s help, the course of modern-day Chinese history would have taken a very different path. Sun Yat-sen was a Christian and it was his Christian faith that sustained him in his darkest hour, locked up in a room in the Embassy, to all intents and purposes, ‘disappeared’. He wrote in the account of his kidnapping, written with Cantlie’s help, published in 1897, “My despair was complete, and only by prayer to God could I gain any comfort. Still the dreary days and still more dreary nights wore on, and but for the comfort afforded me by prayer I believe I should have gone mad. After my release I related to Mr. Cantlie how prayer was my one hope, and told him how I should never forget the feeling that seemed to take possession of me as I rose from my knees on the morning of Friday 16th October – a feeling of calmness, hopefulness and confidence, that assured me my prayer was heard, and filled me with hope that all would yet be well.” Sun Yat-sen often visited the Cantlie family home at Cottered. He was all too familiar with the house of prayer that is Cottered Church and doubtless worshipped within its walls. Cantlie’s grave and those of his sons keep vigil to the right of the church door. It is a site of pilgrimage for Chinese visitors from the world over. As we remember the centenary of Sun Yat-sen’s death, acknowledging his contribution to world history, we welcome such visitors into our midst. May he rest in peace God Bless Mark
