In order that it may run efficiently, a system such as a parish must know what are its needs, and what resources are at its disposal, and try to develop these resources to meet its known needs.  The balance is not static, and it must be borne in mind that resources and needs are continually changing.

The needs of the parish can be divided into the main categories of time, skills, money and the spirit.  Particular ways in which parishioners could contribute to the needs of this parish as regards time and skills range from helping with the production of the parish magazine, volunteering to be an Area Representative or Sector Leader, to visiting the sick, especially in mental hospitals.

Money, of course, is always a pressing need, just for the running and maintenance of the churches and church services, let alone any expansion.  Last year (1971) just over £5,000 was spent on maintenance of the ministry, and just under £3,000 on the upkeep of the churches.  These costs are always rising and yet the income from contributions from the congregations has decreased by about £1,000 since 1967.

As regards the spirit, there is a need for a greater sense of fellowship and love in the church, for instance a greater readiness to welcome strangers and to join in or even organise outings and other activities.

The resources of the parish are manifold.  There are people offering special skills and services such as typing and help for the housebound.  There is help available from outside sources e.g. the Mid. Herts Association for Church Social Work.  Our representation on this body and others, such as the Harpenden Christian Council and the Diocesan Synod, as well as the participation as individuals, of parishioners in activities of the local authorities, Toc H, British Legion Club, etc., can be regarded as a resource.  There are resources of fellowship and mutual encouragement, some on an ecumenical basis, in the many groups meeting for bible study, prayer and discussion, and in such groups as the Christian Drama Fellowship and Mothers' Union.

Our resources should not be regarded as exclusively for our own use.  Just as the parish receives benefits from outside sources, e.g. Diocesan grants, we should make our resources available to those who are not members of our three churches.  For instance our duplicating equipment could be of service to other denominations in our area, e.g. the Methodists, and areas in which we can work with and for other members of our community are the Helping Hands scheme and mental hospital visiting etc.