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 Bless
Mark
(Photograph of St Mary The Virgin, Walkern, Christmas 2024 by Paul Warner)
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