Text Link
Paul Hardingham continues his new series.
What’s the Big Idea? An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament:
1 and 2 Samuel.
1 and 2 Samuel was originally a single work, which focuses on Samuel, Saul and David, around 1,000 BC, mid-way between Abraham and Jesus. It was Samuel who established the monarchy in Israel after the period of the judges. He was commanded by God to give the people a king, although their request is seen as a rejection of God’s rule over Israel (8:7).
The people simply wanted to be like other nations, however their king was still subject to God’s law and the word of the prophet. Although Samuel anointed Saul, he soon showed an unwillingness to submit to these requirements, leading to his rejection as king (15:23). God chose David as Saul’s successor, and 1 Samuel depicts David’s years of waiting until the right time arrived to claim the throne.
2 Samuel depicts David’s rule, in which the nation prospers and its enemies are defeated. The promise of the perfect king is fulfilled in Jesus Himself, as David’s descendant. The second half of the book depicts the darker side of David’s reign, describing his weaknesses and failures, including his adultery with Bathsheba and the rebellion of his son Absalom.
Nevertheless, David remained a man after God’s own heart: ‘The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ (1 Samuel 16:7). The characters in this book are not always great examples of faith, however, ‘They do not show us how we should live but how in fact we do live, authenticating the reality of our daily experience as the stuff that God uses to work his purposes of salvation in us and in the world.’ (Eugene Peterson).
__________________________________________________
Prospect of winter energy bills causing anxiety for millions, says Archbishop of York
Millions are looking ahead to this winter with ‘fear and anxiety’ about the cost of heating their homes, the Archbishop of York has said as he backed the recent launch of a campaign to provide a network of warm spaces for people who struggle to pay their energy bills.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell is encouraging churches to consider getting involved in the Warm Welcome campaign, a network of venues from community centres to churches providing warm spaces over the winter for people struggling to heat their homes
.
Archbishop Stephen said: “Sadly, what began as a cost-of-living crisis has simply become the new normal for many.
“Millions of people will look ahead to this winter with fear and anxiety, wondering how they are going to cope with high living costs. That is why I am proud to endorse the Warm Welcome campaign this winter.
“But a warm welcome isn’t only about the temperature. It is about kindness and community, giving people the chance to be seen and known, to belong and to be part of something. It is about celebrating the God-given value and dignity of every single person, finding hope and community together. But of course, none of that will happen if people are cold.”
The Warm Welcome campaign is led by a coalition of over 50 charitable organisations who joined together in response to the cost of living crisis to provide emergency support to communities struggling to pay for rising food costs and to heat their homes.
_____________________________________________________________
Click to edit text. What do visitors to your website need to know about you and your business?
The mysterious ways of mistletoe
Mistletoe has long been used as part of our Christmas decorations. It is not your usual kind of plant.
Instead, it is hemiparasitic, meaning that although its leaves enable it to feed itself through photosynthesis, its roots invade the host tree or shrub to extract water and other nutrients
.
Mistletoe loves living in apple, lime, hawthorn, poplar or oak trees. You may spot it high up, as a large globe, on the bare trees in winter. There is one spectacular example in Windsor Great Park, clearly visible from the path on the opposite side of the Thames
.
Mistletoe’s berries are almost translucent, fleshy and sticky. They form in the forks of mistletoe’s many branches. While they are toxic to humans, they are attractive to birds, who wipe the remaining seeds off their beaks onto the nearest branch, which of course helps the plant to spread.
For some reason, Romans thought mistletoe represented Peace, Love and Understanding. Perhaps that is how it got into our Christmas celebrations? The earliest documentary evidence for kissing under mistletoe dates from the 16th century, but we don’t know who got kissed first.
_____________________________________________________________
Doctor Livingstone, I presume?
It was 150 years ago, on 10th November 1871, that Welsh journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley located the missing missionary Dr David Livingstone near Lake Tanganyika, in present-day Tanzania. He may or may not have greeted him with the words: “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?”
Stanley’s real name was John Rowlands. He was born in Denbigh to an unmarried 18-year-old who abandoned him. He ended up in a workhouse until he was 15, then went to America, where he changed his name and became an American citizen. When he found Livingstone, he was working for the New York Herald.
Known for his strength of will, Stanley also had an African name – Bula Matari – Breaker of Rocks. Much of his life was spent in Central Africa, and his reputation was mixed: he was said by some to be violent toward Africans, but by others to have treated them well. His feats as an explorer were impressive: he played a big part in locating the true source of both the Nile and the Congo, and he helped open up the Congo on behalf of King Leopold of Belgium.
Though not overtly religious, he felt he was engaged in a “sacred task”. He was re-naturalised a British subject in 1892, following his marriage.
_______________________________________________________________
All in the month of March
It was:
300 years ago, on 8th March 1723 that Sir Christopher Wren, English architect, died. Best known for designing St Paul’s Cathedral.
125 years ago, on 16th March 1898 that Aubrey Beardsley, British illustrator, died. His black ink drawings, influenced by Japanese woodcuts, contributed to the development of Art Nouveau.
100 years ago, on 4th March 1923 that Patrick Moore, the amateur astronomer, TV presenter, writer and musician was born. Best known for presenting the TV astronomy show The Sky at Night for over 50 years. (Died 2012)
80 years ago, on 13th March 1943 that the final liquidation of Krakow Ghetto in Poland took place. 8,000 Jews were transported to Plaszow labour camp, 2000 more were simply killed in the streets, and the rest were sent to Auschwitz.
70 years ago, on 19th March 1953 that the Academy Awards ceremony (the Oscars) were televised for the first time.
Also 70 years ago, on 26th March 1953 that Dr Jonas Salk announced that he had completed the first small-scale test of a polio vaccine. Larger tests began in February 1954, and mass vaccinations began in April 1955.
65 years ago, on 2nd March 1958 that the first land crossing of Antarctica was completed by the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by Vivian Fuchs. The team of 12 men travelled 2,158 miles from Shackleton Base to Scott Base (via the South Pole) in 99 days, using six vehicles.
60 years ago, on 22nd March 1963 that the British Secretary of State for War, John Profumo, made a statement in the House of Commons in which he denied there was any impropriety in his relationship with Christine Keeler, a model who was also in a sexual relationship with a drug dealer and a Soviet naval attaché. (In June he admitted he had lied, and resigned.)
50 years ago, on 8th March 1973 that the citizens of Northern Ireland voted in a referendum to remain within the United Kingdom. That same day the IRA carried out its first bombing in Britain since WWII, planting car bombs in London. One person died, 200 were injured.
40 years ago, on 6th March 1983 that Donald Maclean, British-born Soviet spy died. He was a member of the Cambridge Spy Ring.
Also 40 years ago, on 26th March 1983, that Anthony Blunt, British art historian and Soviet spy, died.
25 years ago, on 16th March 1998 that Rwanda began mass trials for the country’s 1994 genocide. There were 125,000 suspects for 500,000 murders.
20 years ago, on 1st March 2003 that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the al-Qaeda terrorist who masterminded the 9/11 attacks on the USA, was captured in Pakistan.
Also 20 years ago, on 12th March 2003 that the World Health Organisation issued a global alert about a severe form of pneumonia (now known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – SARS) that was affecting people in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
_________________________________________________________________
Isherwood Hall. (The original hall)
Tables and chairs are available.
Click to edit block quote. What quote or client recommendation really sums up your business? 
June Magazine 2026
NOTE FROM THE EDITORS
Welcome to your June magazine, as always we would welcome some articles from within our parish, home grown articles are much better than those we source from elsewhere.
Updated 5th April 2026
_________________________________________________________
Dear Friends,
Norma
_________________________________________________
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL GENERAL MEETING 2026
______________________________________________
Synod approves motion confirming LLF programme to conclude
and new working group to be established.
_________________________________________________________
General Synod backs Sustainable Church Flowers motion
_______________________________________________________
General Synod Roundup
________________________________________________
‘Still a ‘long way’ to go on working class vocations,’ Synod hears
______________________________________________________________
By the Revd Peter Crumpler, a Church of England priest in St Albans, Herts,
and a former communications director for the C of E.
Could stained glass have a role in modern-day mission?
_________________________________________________________
June Diary Page
Holy Communion service each Sunday at 9.00am (Said BCP service)
Sung Eucharist each Sunday at 10.00am (Common Worship)
Holy Communion each Tuesday at 10.00am (Said BCP service)
Said Evening Prayer each Sunday at 6.30pm.
BIBLE STUDY (via ZOOM) EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7PM DURING TERM TIME.
PRAYER MEETING FIRST MONDAY IN THE MONTH 7pm IN CHURCH
____________________________________________________________________
June Church Roof Gulley update.
Good progress has been made in the past weeks, The gulley has been completely stripped out, all rotten timbers removed and renewed where necessary. A new gulley support structure has been installed and a layer of waterproof membrane added to ensure long-term stability and resilience.
A structural firm has been and measured up for the stainless steel cladding, each section will have to be made to measure to fit the unique requirements of the gulley's design seamlessly. It is hoped that will be ready to fit as I write this.
This will then leave gutters and hoppers to be renewed to a large design to accommodate increased water flow and prevent overflow issues. Finally, whilst the scaffolding is in place some stonework repointing will carried out to maintain the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the building.
As of now the building, after several years of damp walls is finally waterproof!! it is estimated at the moment that the south choir wall will take a year to fully dry out so that the plaster can be repaired / renewed and finally redecorated.
You will notice in this photo the chimney nobody knew existed has gone and second hand slates fitted, another damp causing problem eliminated.
Bob Willis
________________________________________________
WYN HIRST THANK YOU
_________________________________________________
Celebrate cross of St George as symbol of unity for everyone in England – bishops
_____________________________________________
By the Revd Roy Shaw, a retired but active priest in the diocese of York, where he is a spiritual director.
Resurrection life
_____________________________________________________
Editor: The Revd Dr Jo White continues her series on aspects of Christianity.
Reflecting Faith: Same Old, Same Old
___________________________________________
Church choirs receive £400,000 boost for programme to increase participation by children
_________________________________________
Canon Paul Hardingham considers the crucifixion
The Cross of Jesus
_______________________________________________
5th April – Easter, the most joyful day of the year.
___________________________________________
June Crossword
Across
1 Relating to the whole universe (6)
4 The disciple who made the remark in 8 Across (John 20) (6)
8 ‘Unless I see the nail marks — — hands,’ (John 20) (2,3)
9 He urged King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll (Jeremiah 36) (7)
10 Controversial founder of America’s Moral Majority, Jerry — (7)
11 ‘Look, here is — . Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ (Acts 8) (5)
12 Repossessed (Genesis 14) (9)
17 Port from which Paul sailed on his last journey to Rome (Acts 27) (5)
19 ‘Moses was not aware that his face was — ’ (Exodus 34) (7)
21 Roonwit, C.S. Lewis’s half-man, half-horse (7)
22 Grill (Luke 24) (5)
23 ‘The lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the — apostles’ (Acts 1) (6)
24 ‘I was in — and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25) (6)
Down
1 Coastal rockfaces (Psalm 141) (6)
2 Academic (1 Corinthians 1) (7)
3 Publish (Daniel 6) (5)
5 For example, the Crusades (4,3)
6 11 Across is certainly this (5)
7 He reps (anag.) (6)
9 Liberator (Psalm 18) (9)
13 Man who asked the question in 11 Across was in charge of all her treasury (Acts 8) (7)
14 They must be ‘worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine’ (1 Timothy 3) (7)
15 The human mind or soul (6)
16 ‘O Lord, while precious children starve, the tools of war increase; their bread is — ’ (Graham Kendrick) (6)
18 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not — ’ (Matthew 11) (5)
20 Bared (anag.) (5)
May Answers
ACROSS: 1, Awaken. 4, Quench. 8, Hit me. 9, Sadness. 10, Semitic. 11, Ridge. 12, Testimony. 17, Psalm. 19, Indulge. 21, Deserve. 22, Ariel. 23, Rose as. 24, Beggar.
DOWN: 1, Aghast. 2, Attempt. 3, Eject. 5, Undergo. 6, No end. 7, Hasten. 9, Sacrifice. 13, Samaria. 14, Yelling. 15, Spider. 16, Dealer. 18, Asses. 20, Drake.
Winners Peter Warren
_______________________________________________________________________
June Anagrams
DAILY NEWSPAPERS
Rearrange these letters to form the names of ten English daily news-papers. Some of these are national; others are from this region.
All the answers except one consist of two words.
1. A GREEDY ILL PATH 2. ROYS TRIKE SHOP 3. LOILA LAPMOTHER 4. DIXEYS PEARLS 5. OH CORNER THEN
6. NAIL IN TIMS CAFE 7. BIG TATTY WHEZE 8. RONALDS MATTING STICK NOT DONE 9. MARRY ILIDOR
10. GIVE ZEN GENT TEA
Compiled by Peter Warren
May Anagram Answers
1. ATLAS 2. CATALOGUE 3. CALENDAR 4. DICTIONARY 5. ENCYCLOPAEDIA 6. ALMANAC
7. DIRECTORY 8. LEXICON 9. INVENTORY 10. THESAURUS
Winner: Wynn
Send your answers with your name to the editors.
_________________________________________
April Sudoku
May Answer
Winner Jack Thompson
________________________________________________________
What’s orange and worth preserving?
_________________________________________________
Lester Amann considers a man who knew all about too much rain…
Noah: builder for God
___________________________________________________
Lester Amann considers how the risen Christ reveals Himself to us…
Never Far Away
Canon Paul Hardingham continues his seven-part series. This will conclude with the July issue.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy
______________________________________________________________
By the Revd Peter Crumpler, a Church of England priest in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director for the CofE
Loving people in later life
_______________________________________________
National Garden Week.
____________________________________________________________
Editor: The Revd Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’…
The Rectory
St James the Least of All
My dear Nephew Darren
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
___________________________________________________________________
Paul Hardingham continues his series on the books of the Bible.
What’s the Big Idea?
An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament: Ezekiel
_________________________________________________
.
International Jazz Day – 30th April
______________________________________________
Remembering the musical genius of Richard D’Oyley Carte
_______________________________________________
What home gadgets do you regret buying?
________________________________________________________
Dawn chorus
___________________________________________________________
A history of our Easter chocolate
_________________________________________________
Book Review
The PCC Strikes Back – more Dave Walker Guide to the Church Cartoons
___________________________________________________
All in the month of April
It was:
_______________________________________________________
Smile Lines
New vicar
The new vicar taking his first service was determined to make a good impression. The congregation sat spellbound throughout the eloquent sermon and the extended intercessions, which seemed to cover the whole category of human wants. After the service one church member asked another in awe: “Don’t you think our new vicar prays well?
“I most certainly do,” came the answer. “Why that man asked the good Lord for things that our old vicar didn’t even know He had!”
**
Quiet prayers
The little boy was saying his go-to-bed prayers in a very low voice. “I can’t hear you, dear,” his mother whispered.
“Wasn’t talking to you,” said the small one firmly.
**
For the wicked
A little boy had been very naughty and as a punishment his mother told him he would go without his favourite vegetable. He sat down for a meal, and his mother served, carrots, corn, – – and ? “It’s no use waiting,” said his mother, ” I told you, no peas for the wicked.”
**
Motoring holiday
Lost Husband: Where are we now?
Wife: Halfway between Paris and Marseilles, dear.
Husband: Don’t bother me with details. What country are we in?
**
Some of the great questions of life
Why are buildings called buildings when they are finished? Shouldn’t they be called builts?
Why is abbreviated such a long word?
Why is it that when you tell a man there are 400 billion stars he will believe you, but when you tell him there’s wet paint, he has to touch it?
If your supermarket has been lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If a firefighter fights fire and a crime fighter fights crime, what does a freedom fighter fight?
Do you find it unnerving that what doctors do is called ‘practice’?
**
Which Way to Heaven?
The evangelist Billy Graham told of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to post a letter before the service that evening, he asked a young boy in the street where the post office was.
When the boy had told him, Dr Graham thanked him and said, “If you’ll come to the Baptist Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven.”
The boy replied, “How can you do that? You don’t even know your way to the post office.”
**
A lesson in lies
A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.”
The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only 16 chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”
**
Late for Church
A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could go to church. As she ran, she prayed, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late! Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late!”
While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her dress dirty. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again. As she ran she once again began to pray, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late…But please don’t shove me again, either!”
**
Boasting
Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about their fathers. The first boy said, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a poem, they give him £50.”
The second boy said, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a song, they give him £100.”
The third boy said, “I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the money!”
**
Report on the search for a new minister
We do not have a happy report to give. We are struggling to find a suitable candidate for this church. The following are our present candidates:
Adam: Good man, but problems with his wife. Also, one reference told of how he and his wife enjoy walking nude in the woods.
Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building projects.
Abraham: Thinks that God is telling him to go far away, but he can’t say exactly where that is. Also, he has offered to share his own wife with another man.
Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison record.
Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.
David: The most promising leader of all, until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbour’s wife, and how he then killed her husband.
Solomon: Great preacher, and very smart, but our parsonage would never hold all those wives.
Elijah: Prone to depression-collapses under pressure.
Elisha: Reported to have lived with a single widow while at his former church.
Hosea: A tender and loving pastor, but our people could never handle his wife’s occupation.
Deborah: Female.
Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of a foreign river.
Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his language.
Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up.
Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise but has a hang-up against wealthy people. Might fit in better in a poor congregation.
John: Says he is a Baptist, but he doesn’t dress like one. Has slept outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational leaders.
Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper—even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, and a loose cannon.
Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving with younger ministers, harsh and has been known to preach all night. We don’t want that.
Timothy: Too young.
Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000, he managed to offend them all and this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single.
Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.
**
Oops
I went grocery shopping on an empty stomach and am now the proud owner of Aisle 4.
**
Golf
Golfer: “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course.”
Caddie: “Try heaven, you’ve already moved most of the earth.”
**
Car travel
A minister was looking at potential cars down at the dealership. Pointing to one, he asked the salesman: “Cargo space?”
Confused, the salesman replied slowly and clearly: “Car no do that…no go heaven. Car go road.”
**
Home visit
Several women visited a sick elderly lady in their church. After a while, they rose to leave and told her, “Well, don’t worry, we will keep you in our prayers.”
The old woman replied: “Actually, if you woul
d just wash up the dishes in my sink, I can do my own praying.”
**
Going somewhere
Older people often go to another room to get something, and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for. It is not a memory problem. It is God’s way of helping older people get more exercise.
**
Moon
For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese.
But then astronauts visited it, and they say that the moon is really a big hard rock.
Well, that’s what happens to cheese, when you leave it out.
**
Getting around
I love flying. I’ve been to almost as many places as my luggage.
_______________________________________________
The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of St Mary's, it's clergy, the Church of England
or the Editors.