St Mary Bayford
Chapel of Holy Cross &
St Alban, Brickendon
St Mary the Virgin
Essendon
St Andrew’s
Little Berkhamsted
St Mary
Ponsbourne
The Benefice of Hartford Hundred (West) was established on November 1st, 1976 as a “united benefice” combining the four parishes of Bayford & Brickendon, Essendon & Woodhill, Little Berkhamsted and Ponsbourne (Newgate Street), with its centrally located Rectory in the village of Little Berkhamsted. In the 42 years since then, the group has developed a coherence and a distinct identity whilst retaining the individuality of the separate churches.
We are part of the St. Albans Diocese within the Church of England and are united with the desire to welcome every person, young and older, into our wonderful community minded church families. We have 5 beautiful church buildings with various styles of worship, partnerships with three excellent Church of England Schools and a clear Bible based ministry.
We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our community. Find out more here
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated Tuesday 24th March 2020
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, it is imperative that for the health of the nation and in order for the National Health Service itself to manage the increase in those requiring medical help, the Church of England strictly observes the new guidelines on staying at home and only making journeys that are absolutely necessary, such as shopping for essential items and to take daily exercise.
Our church buildings must now be closed not only for public worship, but for private prayer as well.
THE WORSHIP OF GOD can continue in our hearts and homes.
Ministers will continue to maintain a praying and worshipping presence from theirs.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
To protect the vulnerable amongst us, please do not leave your home except for essential trips.
For resources for home prayer and worship see:
HARTFORD HUNDRED GROUP SERVICES
1st April Passiontide Telephone Wednesday Morning Prayer at 10am
5th April Palm Sunday, Matins Telephone Sunday Service at 10am
5th April Palm Sunday, Zoom Sunday Service at 11.30am
For joining details please e-mail in advance
Wishing you all God’s love and protection are:
Hartford Hundred Group of Churches,
Churchwardens, Lay Leaders of Worship
and Revd Theresa.
A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
APCM is the Annual Parochial Church Meetings to look at the accounts and elect the Church Officers.
All parishioners may attend and vote for Churchwardens, and those on the Church Electoral Roll may vote for other officers.
Our Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) will be holding their meetings on the following dates;
POSTPONED Wednesday 25th March 7.30 pm Ponsbourne APCM at Ponsbourne Church
POSTPONED Wednesday 1st April 7.30 pm Essendon APCM in the Church Room, Essendon
POSTPONED Tuesday 21st April 7.30 pm Bayford & Brickendon APCM at Brickendon Church
POSTPONED Wednesday 22nd April 7.30 pm Little Berkhamsted APCM at Little Berkhamsted Church
Due to Coronavirus all APCM have been postponed until later in the year.
New dates to come in due course.
The April edition of the Parish Magazine will not be distributed. Many of the articles in the magazine are now irrelevant. However, some items may still be of interest, such as the Rector's letter and accounts of past events.
The monthly Parish Magazine contains all the church and village news from our parishes. It costs just 60p per copy or £6 for an annual subscription. Please contact Mike Wainwright at parishmag@begesford.co.uk to subscribe.