lichen /ˈlʌɪk(ə)n,ˈlɪtʃ(ə)n/ noun plural noun: lichens 1. a simple slow-growing plant that typically forms a low crusty, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees. We recently had a very interesting survey carried out at St Mary's Church which has uncovered some rare lichens in the graveyard. With their variety of features, stonework and other substrates, churches and churchyards are hotspots for lichen biodiversity. Like many churches in Hertfordshire, St. Mary’s is built of flint and mortar, with limestone dressings. It dates mainly from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries on a Saxon site. The number of lichens recorded was in the mid-60s. This is lower than some medieva
Saturday March 21st at 8pm in the Parish Rooms Come and join our very own wine Tutor Michael Eggleton as he explores some wines from unusual grape varieties on Saturday March 21st at 8:00pm in the Parish Rooms at St Mary’s Church, Northchurch. Tickets are £12.00 each and include a bread and cheese supper. There will also be a raffle for some rather special wines! All proceeds to be shared between Michael’s charity Tariro of Zimbabwe and Claire Hodgson’s GO MAD. Both charities help disadvantaged children in the third world to have what we all take for granted: education for all. To book your place please sign up on the list at the back of church, see Michael or email Evelyn Hodgson at evelyn@
Our next All Age Worship Service is on Sunday 8 March at 10am and our focus will be on 'A Journey of Faith'. “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase” Martin Luther King, Jr. Please do join us! Everybody is welcome!
March 1st – Lent 1 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Parish Eucharist 6.00pm Evening Prayer March 8th – Lent 2 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am All Age Worship March 15th – Lent 3 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Pulpit Swap with NBC 6.00pm Evening Prayer March 22nd – Mothering Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Parish Eucharist Wednesday March 25th Confirmation Service at 7.30pm March 29th – Lent 5 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Parish Eucharist
David White is providing some reading and thoughts for us throughout Lent to reflect on this important time of year. David is producing a weekly booklet of readings which will be available in the Church. You can also access them here on the Church website. To download the first booklet, 'a reading from Galatians, a short reflection and ideas how to pray each day', please click here. A short background to Galatians is available here. Also watch out for your ten minutes a day from now until Easter on our Facebook page!
Keep up to date with the latest Parish news in the March 2020 edition of the Parish Newsletter. If you have any advertising or editorial queries please direct these to Editor, Jill Hipson.
Since 2012 St Mary’s choir has welcomed visiting singers from the surrounding area to an annual choral event, to study and explore a range of repertoire. Music has included Handel’s Messiah, a Vierne Mass, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Faure’s requiem, Gospel songs, a Mussorgsky mass, a 12 hour Hymnathon and more. We were directed by Richard King (Chalfont St Peter) in 2018 and by Geraldine Latty (Birmingham) in 2015 but most sessions have been run by Tring musician, Richard Grylls. Richard’s wealth of experience, artistry and enthusiasm are outstanding and that is why singers return each year to sing under his leadership, This year, Richard Grylls will direct ‘A Festival of Psalms’ and we will be joine
Here is some advanced warning of the various social activities which are in the planning for this year. Please put the dates in your diaries and watch the pew leaflets, newsletter and website for further details as plans are completed!
Join us in the Parish Room on Thursday 26th March 2020 at 8pm to watch Leave No Trace. A father and his thirteen year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon, when a small mistake derails their lives forever. Refreshments will be provided and everybody is welcome!
February 2nd – Candlemas 08.00 - Holy Communion 10.00 - Parish Eucharist 18:00 - Evening Prayer February 9th – Third Before Lent 08.00 - Holy Communion 10.00 - All Age Worship February 16th – Second Before Lent 08.00 - Holy Communion 10.00 - Parish Eucharist 18:00 - Evening Prayer February 23rd – First Before Lent 08:00 - Holy Communion 10.00 - Parish Eucharist February 26th – Ash Wednesday 19:30 - Holy Communion
