3. - 1 -

4. - 2 -
PETER D HANNABY
Painter & Decorator
Interior and Exterior work
Undertaken
For competitive quotations
Please call
Mobile: 07765 250092
Home: 01442 288956
MAGAZINE ADVERTISING COSTS
Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business. There
are eleven issues per year with double issue in December/January.
Charges are: Full Page £115 per annum
Half Page £80 per annum
Quarter Page £60 per annum
For part year charges are pro rata of the annual rate rounded up to
the nearest whole pound (e.g. 1 month/issue full page 115/12 =
9.58 rounded up = £10 charge)
To discuss your requirements or for further information, please
contact Sally Bates, 01442 266912 or 07792 768236
or email: magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk

5. - 3 -
THE VICAR’S LETTER
Dear Friends,
It is interesting to observe how wrong information gets
about – Fake News as we have come to know it. Various
Facebook pages and other social media are becoming
famous for the speed of its communication, but not always its accuracy.
The lesson is clearly that we need to check our facts and not just believe
everything we are told. This is a principle that applies to everything – at
least if we consider ourselves mature human beings.
It may surprise some to read that it applies to our faith. It is no good believ-
ing something just because someone said you should. What use is a faith
that is swallowed without question? It is perfectly reasonable and sensible
to ask for supporting evidence. Nothing plays into the hands of those who
oppose and snigger at the Christian Church than the inability to say why we
believe what we believe. This is not the same as saying that we can prove
everything we believe. There are some things that are beyond the scope of
human proof, such as the resurrection of Jesus. We cannot, no more than
others can disprove it. On the other hand we can produce evidence for it.
The greatest evidence is the Church itself. How could it have survived the
centuries of repeated human failing (and sometimes downright corruption)
if it were simply a human invention? Somehow the Church has survived all
the challenges it has faced (and its internal failures) and continues to grow
world-wide. It goes on talking about the love of God. It is evidence that it is
the Church of God and the means whereby people come to know the
power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to know his presence, not just
as a theoretical idea, but in their experience of life.
Another reason for believing is reason itself. We should not be tricked into
thinking faith is the opposite of reason. In the New Testament faith is the
opposite of fear, not doubt. Also, what people consider reasonable has
varied a lot over the centuries anyway. It is reasonable to believe that the
universe has a purpose and that it is not just a matter of chance. It is rea-
sonable to conclude that our sense of right and wrong and the very idea of
being in God’s world point us to something greater than ourselves.

6. - 4 -
When it comes to some of the teaching of our Christian faith, such as the
Sermon on the Mount, can anyone improve on it? What a revolution
there would be if the whole world followed what was taught there! It
would change the world and sort out all our current conflicts. It is a
pretty good reason for trying to follow Jesus Christ.
We can and we should ask questions and probe the issues. It is a good
thing to do because it equips us better to stand up for our faith when we
hear it derided or criticised. It is good also because it strengthens our
beliefs. We need to be confident in our faith. It could be that the tide is
turning and more and more people are beginning to look for a deeper
meaning to their lives. The Church needs to be ready with the reasons
and evidence for believing in Jesus Christ… and that is the job of all us
who have been baptised into Christ.
Let us then with boldness proclaim with joy the faith of the Church:
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Every Blessing,
SMILE-LINES
Not expecting this
The young minister took his wife to the Maternity Hospital and was told
it would be a long labour. So, he agreed to ring at lunchtime for news.
But when he phoned, he dialled the wrong number and got the County
Cricket Ground. He said: “I brought my wife to your place early this morn-
ing. Is there any news?”
He was surprised to be told: “Yes, there are seven out and the last two
were ducks.”

7. - 5 -
PARISH DIARY FOR MAY 2022
Enquiries regarding baptisms weddings or marriage blessings are always welcome.
Please contact the Vicar.
Morning Prayer is said Daily at St John’s at 9.00am.
You are most welcome to join the clergy in prayer.
Evening Prayer is said privately for the life of the Parish unless details are below.
St John’s is open daily 9.30am-5.00pm for private prayer
(10.30am-5.00pm on Saturdays)
Sun 1 Third Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 2 St Philip & St James - Apostles
BANK HOLIDAY
Tue 3 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
2.00pm Memorial Service - Jean Stevens St John’s
Wed 4 10.00am BCP Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 6 MASJ Music Festival6-8 May
12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert - Miriam Reveley organ
St John’s
5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 7 1.00pm Concert: Dacorum Youth Orchestra St John’s
7.00pm Concert: Vale Symphonic Wind Band St John’s
Sun 8 St John’s Day (Fourth Sunday of Easter)
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Patronal Eucharist with Junior Choir St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
6.30pm Concert: Choral Music performed by the Parish Choir
St John’s

8. - 6 -
Tue 10 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm PCC meeting St John’s Hall
Wed 11 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
4.00pm Baptism Preparation St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 13 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert - The Chiltern Singers
St John’s
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sat 14 St Matthias - Apostle
Sun 15 Fifth Sunday of Easter
8.00am No service this week
10.00am Parish Eucharist - Guest president and preacher:
The Reverend Vanessa Jefferson
St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis'
11.30am Morning Worship St Stephen's
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
Mon 16 7.45pm Together on Monday Club
History of St. John’s - Graham Gibbs St John’s Hall
Tues 17 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
Wed 18 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
3.30pm Friendship Tea St John’s Hall
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Fri 20 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert St John’s
Nina Cook soprano with Rita Fryer piano
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 22 Sixth Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen’s
12noon Holy Baptism St John’s
6.30pm Deanery Confirmation Service St John’s
Tue 24 9.30am Tiny Tots: Stay & Play & Service St John’s Hall
8.00pm Communications Committee Zoom

9. - 7 -
Wed 25 10.00am Holy Communion followed by coffee St John’s
5.00pm Evening Prayer St Francis’
Thu 26 THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
8.00pm Deanery Ascension Day Eucharist St Albans,
Warners End
Fri 27 12.30pm MASJ Lunchtime Concert - The Showtime Singers
St John’s
5.30pm Junior Choir St John’s Hall
7.00pm Choir Rehearsal St John’s
Sun 29 Seventh Sunday of Easter
8.00am BCP Holy Communion St John’s
10.00am Parish Eucharist St John’s
10.00am Sung Mass St Francis’
11.30am Holy Communion St Stephen’s
Tue 31 Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
No Tiny Tots - Half Term

10. - 8 -
Holy Week and Easter
Sincere thanks to all who made our journey through Holy Week and Easter
this year so special. It was thrilling to see the Parish Easter Eucharist so
well attended – by all ages – along with the other principle services. I hope
you have all grown in your journey with the crucified and risen Lord this
Easter.
I should also I like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who worked
so hard to clean and decorate our churches in preparation for Easter. You
have all done us proud. Thank you.
Thank you too to our musicians for the splendid offering and enhance-
ment of our worship this Easter. The choir are going from strength to
strength – as the quality of the music increases so does interest in joining
the choir from new voices.
APCM
Thank you to all who attended or who gave apologies for the meeting on
24 April. Attendance was once again very positive. My thanks to all who
have been elected to the PCC and I look forward to working with you for
the good of the Parish and our witness to the risen Lord Jesus. I am partic-
ularly grateful to Richard Lyne, our PCC Secretary, for all the work he put
in to collate and reproduce the various Reports and to make sure we
complied with the Church Representation Rules. My sincere thanks also to
Ian Packe for his work in updating our Electoral Roll, to Chris Angell and Jo
Fisher our Treasurers, and to Paul Davies for arranging our various Rotas.
A new picture board will be going up soon in our churches to remind you
who has been elected to particular offices and the PCC.
St John’s Day Celebrations: Sunday 8 May
As many will know the Feast of St John the Evangelist (our patron Saint)
falls on 27 December. Experience shows that no one wants to be in church
that close to Christmas, let alone celebrate a Patronal Festival. In line with
recent (pre-pandemic) years we shall therefore observe and celebrate St
John on Sunday 8 May with an All Age Eucharist (with Junior Choir) at
10.00am.

11. - 9 -
MASJ Music Festival: 6–8 May
The Annual Music Festival is fast approaching and I very much hope you
will be able to enjoy the musical opportunities on offer (please see the
Calendar and Newsletter for more details). A highlight will be our choir
performing various choral works on Sunday evening in place of evensong.
Your Parish needs YOU!
As we emerge from this pandemic it is evident that it has had an effect on
our common life. Those who have returned to church will note that
attendance has been significantly lower than in pre-Covid years. Many
have ‘slowed down’ during the various lockdowns and have taken the
opportunity to step-down from their previously held commitments. Some
have moved away or been unable to return due to health complications.
This all has an impact on how we serve one another and our community.
If we want to be a welcoming and hospitable Church we need people to
make the church a welcome and hospitable place. We need to people to
be welcomers and sidespeople; we need people to read the scriptures and
lead us in prayer; we need people to clean the church and help with
maintenance; we need people to help with refreshments. We are the big-
gest Anglican Church in Hemel and we should not be struggling to fulfil
these vital ministries. Please think about how you can serve both our
worshipping community and also our wider community, and then let me
and/or the churchwardens know how you can help. Thank you.
Confirmation Service: Sunday 22 May
On Sunday 22 May, at 6.30pm, we will be welcoming the Bishop of
Bedford to St John’s for our Confirmation Service. This will be the first
Confirmation service in over 2 years and we currently have 4 candidates –
all of whom are church folk. I encourage you all to come to this service to
support them as publically affirm their faith in the risen Lord Jesus and
seek to live the values of his Kingdom. In the weeks leading-up to the
service please see the Newsletter to pray for these candidates as they
prepare for Confirmation.

12. - 10 -
Thy Kingdom Come
During the 10 days between Ascension Day and Pentecost (26 May – 5
June) the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are once again encouraging
congregations within the Anglican Communion (and supported by other
Churches around the world) to pray for spiritual and numerical growth in
the Church. Please set some time aside to pray during this time. You might
like to pray for 5 people at 5 o’clock each day that they might come to
faith, or for an increase in vocations to Holy Orders, or for those who have
been/will be baptised in the Parish this year.
Deanery Ascension Day Eucharist
On Thursday 26 May at 8pm there will be a combined Deanery Eucharist
to celebrate the Ascension of our Lord after his resurrection. This year St
Albans, Warners End will be hosting the Service. In years gone by this
Feast day was a day of obligation and often meant a day’s holiday from
school. Sadly this doesn’t happen any longer but I would hope there is a
good turn-out from the Parish.
Queen’s Jubilee Weekend
As part of the national celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s 70th
anniversary
as Sovereign we shall be hosting a Jubilee Lunch on Sunday 5 June. This
will be after the Parish Eucharist in the grounds of St John’s – more details
will be in the Newsletter nearer the time – everyone is welcome.
We shall also be planting 2 trees as part of the Jubilee Canopy in the
churchyard – an acer and a lilac tree. Thank you very much to all who have
contributed to these trees.
We shall also be observing the Feast of Pentecost that weekend and cele-
brating afresh God’s promised gift of the Holy Spirit.
Cricket Match
Following the inaugural match last year against Boxmoor Occasionals
(locally referred to as “Boxmoor Odd-Sods”) there will be a return fixture
this summer. We lost last year in a well contested but good spirited match
– this year the aim is to level the score and win. The match will be played
on the Boxmoor Oval on Sunday 19 June in the afternoon (exact timings to
be confirmed). Cont’d…..

13. - 11 -
If you would like to play please let me know. I am very much hoping it will
be a fine day when Pimm's can be enjoyed on the boundary. I hope you
would like to come along and cheer on the team and enjoy some gentle
socialising together.
***********
Out and about on the roads? Remember the NEW Highway Code
When did you last read the Highway Code? Various ‘fundamental’ chang-
es were recently made which will surely affect you.
For example, there is a new hierarchy of road users, where drivers now
have new responsibilities to watch out for people who are walking,
cycling, or riding a horse.
Another example is that cyclists are now advised to cycle in the centre of
lanes in slower-moving traffic.
Finally, do you even know how best to open your car door? According to
the Highway Code, you should use your hand on the opposite side to the
door you are opening; for example, use your left hand to open a door on
your right-hand side. This will make you turn your head to look over your
shoulder. You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or
motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement.
Read all about the new rules at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-
highway-code

14. - 12 -
Photos of St. John’s decorated for Easter
Photos by
kind
permission
of
Sally-Anne
Bates

15. - 13 -
God in the Arts
The Revd Michael Burgess continues his series on God in the Arts with a famous
painting by Dirk Bouts. It is found in the church of St Peter in Louvain.
A meal to remember!
When we gather with other Christians to celebrate the Eucharist and to make
our communion, we are remembering that special meal Jesus shared with His
disciples on the eve of His arrest and death. But do we always appreciate what
we are doing? Sometimes the monotony of repetition and distractions will get in
the way. We fail to recognise Christ’s gift at communion for what it truly is.
In the 15th century the prosperous burghers of the Flemish town of Louvain
commissioned the artist Dirk Bouts to paint a special altarpiece devoted to the
Eucharist for the church of St Peter. Dirk Bouts, with his imagination, portrayed
the Last Supper in a room looking out to his own town of Louvain. The faces of
the servers in the room and the cooks looking through the hatch were modelled
on the burghers who commissioned the work.
Other faces are modelled on theologians at the new university who visited the
artist. They wanted to ensure he kept his theological feet on the ground while
his imagination took flight. And so around the scene of the Last Supper, Bouts
has painted Old Testament scenes foreshadowing that holy communion: Mel-
chizedek offering bread and wine in return for Abraham’s offering, the eating of
the first Passover, the gathering of the manna in the wilderness, and Elijah wak-
ened by the angel to eat and drink before setting out for Horeb. Signs of
sacrifice, the Passover of the old covenant, daily food and food for the journey –
all key aspects of the communion we celebrate and share in.
Just as the theological faculty reminded Dirk Bouts of all these facets, so the
artist is reminding us of the richness of the distinctive meal we have as Chris-
tians. When we see the bread and wine taken up and offered, we remember not
only the Last Supper, when Jesus fed His disciples with the sacrifice of His life,
but those occasions when God reached out to feed His people of old. We rejoice
that the food our Lord gives us in the Eucharist feeds us now and enables us to
make our journey through life to the eternal banquet offered in the heavenly
kingdom.
See page 14 for photo

16. - 14 -
God in the Arts
BOOK REVIEW
Mere Discipleship – on growing in wisdom and
hope
By Alister McGrath, SPCK, £9.99
In exploring Christian discipleship, Alister
McGrath encourages us to move beyond a
superficial grasp of our faith to discover its
depth and riches. He sees discipleship as a
process of growth in wisdom: we absorb a
Christian vision of reality, allow it to percolate
in our minds and then inform how we see
things, think about them and act.
Helpfully drawing on the astute and illuminating insights of Dorothy L.
Sayers, C. S. Lewis, John Stott and J. I. Packer, the author suggests how
we can hold on to hope while journeying through darkness, and live
meaningfully in a world where things don’t always seem to make sense.

17. - 15 -

18. - 16 -
HALLS FOR HIRE
ST JOHN’S HALL - Well equipped hall suitable for use by special interest
groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and special occasions.
Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary on 07939 226977 or email:
hallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and availabil-
ity.
ST STEPHEN’S HALL, CHAULDEN - (opposite Tudor Rose) - Sunny Hall with
tiled floor suitable for dancing and exercise groups as well as being ideal for
children’s parties. Please contact Jean on 01442 257023 for further
information and availability.
ST FRANCIS HALL, HAMMERFIELD - Well equipped hall suitable for use by
special interest groups, clubs and societies. Ideal for family parties and
special occasions. Please contact Hall Bookings Secretary by email: stfran-
cishallbookings@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk for further information and
availability. More urgent queries can be handled by leaving a message on Paul
Davies mobile phone: 07802 442908
SMILE-LINES
Parking space
Angus was driving down the street worried because he had an important
meeting and couldn’t find a parking place. So, looking up toward heaven,
he said “Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to
church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up whisky.” A
moment later, miraculously, a parking place appeared. Angus looked up
again and said, “Never mind. I found one.”
When children pray (they did their best!)
• Give us this steak and daily bread, and forgive us our mattresses.
• Hail, Mary, full of grapes.
• He suffered under a bunch of violets. (Pontius Pilate)

19. - 17 -
Please Note: St. John's Church PCC cannot accept any responsibility for goods or services

20. - 18 -
“Your Church needs you!!!”
Yes, indeed it does! The fundraising committee met recently to plan the
year – we have to raise £16,000 during 2022 to cover our costs and break
even and this cannot possibly be done without the support of everyone
who considers themselves a member of our Parish.
So, how can YOU help?
When volunteers are called for, please come forward and offer your help.
We have 3 major events planned so far:
9th
July – Summer Fair 11 am – 3 pm
19th
November – Christmas Fayre
16th
– 20th
December – Christmas Tree Festival
Put these dates in your diary NOW.
Summer Fair: helpers are urgently needed for the following stalls and we
ask you to sign up for anything you can do. Or speak to a member of the
Fundraising Committee.
Pimm's
Tombola
Cakes
Books
Bric-a-Brac
Toys
We shall also need contributions nearer the time.
Don’t be shy. Everyone must play their part.
Fundraising Committee
Cathy Shaw (Chair), Jean Garner, Alan Munford, Di Tovey and Anne
Lyne.

21. - 19 -

22. - 20 -

23. - 21 -

24. - 22 -
'Music Percentage Club Update’
Congratulations to the winners of the March Music
Percentage Club draws:
Richard Lyne 1st £15
Lorraine Ioannou 2nd £8
Zoe Harbour 3rd £4
If you know of someone who would be interested in joining the Music
Percentage Club and supporting Music at St John’s in this way there are
forms in church or please contact Mark Harbour on 01582 841019 or see
him in church. Mark Harbour - on behalf of MASJ
Prayer for May
Dear Father in Heaven,
As we thank you for May, this most beautiful of months, we are aware that
not everything in your world is beautiful; not every attitude or action is
beautiful, or kind, or just.
There is so much pain and suffering in the world that we can sometimes
feel overwhelmed. Help us, Lord to remember that Jesus came to bring all
this brokenness together, to bring reconciliation and wholeness. Thank
you that by His life, death and resurrection Jesus overcame death for ever.
Thank you that He ascended into heaven so that the Holy Spirit could come
to live in believers, to give strength and power and resilience, so that Your
work goes on.
Thank you that nothing in all creation – no evil attacks, no illness, no
human powers, no circumstances at all – can ever separate us from Your
love.
We will not be overwhelmed as we keep our eyes on You.
We may not always understand, but we acknowledge You to be the Lord,
who reigns over all – and we are thankful.
In Jesus name. Amen.
By Daphne Kitching

25. - 23 -
JUNE 2022 - PRICE 60p
Please note the deadline for articles for the June 2022 edition of the magazine is
Sunday, 1st May.
You can e-mail direct to magazine@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk or leave articles in
magazine pigeonhole or deliver direct to 27 Beechfield Road. Please note any
articles sent by email should be in A5/A4 format (MS Word or MS Publisher
preferred). Thank you. Sally Bates, Editor, Tel No. 266912 or Mobile 07792
768236.
PLEASE NOTE
Website for St John’s Boxmoor is:
www.stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
E-mail: office@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
Website for Music at St John’s is http://masj.org.uk
Facebook Page: St Johns Church, Boxmoor
NEWSLETTER: If you would like to receive a copy of the weekly Newsletter by
e-mail, please contact Alan Munford - alan.munford@btinternet.com with your
e-mail address and he will arrange to send it to you.
Please send any items for inclusion in the Newsletter to the Parish Office at the
email address: newsletter@stjohnsboxmoor.org.uk
SUBSCRIPTION TO MAGAZINE
If you would like to receive a copy of St John’s Parish Magazine on a regular
monthly basis, please email alan.munford@btinternet.com or telephone him on
01442 242543 or complete your details below and return tear-off slip to:
Mr. Alan Munford, 16 St Nicholas Mount, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BB
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
...........................................................................................................................
Contact Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………...

26. - 24 -

27. - 25 -
The Changing
Reflections of Mary (Mark 16: v1-8)
Our eyes seeing the same mountains,
The gentle touching of our hands,
Simply breathing the same air,
Pleasures unrecognised till now,
Gone….
In the changing.
In the certainty of our grieving,
You surprise us, Lord,
You are not where we know that you should be.
In the moving of the stone, Lord,
You surprise us,
In our sorrow, we don’t see Your victory.
But you told us, Lord,
Prepared us for the changing,
In your grace, foretold the triumph of Your death.
In the changing from despair to resurrection
You surprise us and transform us
By rebirth.
Our opened eyes can see beyond the mountains,
Now we’re held forever in Your arms,
The air we breathe is Your life-giving Spirit,
Gloriously given…….
In the changing.
By Daphne Kitching

28. - 26 -

29. - 27 -

30. - 28 -
St James the Least of All
On the perils of the church picnic
The Rectory
St James the Least
My dear Nephew Darren
A Spring parish picnic is always a good idea – although you must bear
some details in mind. First, whatever date you choose will turn out be the
wettest of the year. English picnics are invariably eaten under umbrellas
while wearing Wellingtons and the sort of determinedly cheerful look
that defies anyone to admit they would rather be home in front of the
fire.
Second, no matter how early in the year, wasps will emerge from hiber-
nation in huge numbers, and terrorise Mrs Hornby with the picnic
baskets. And thirdly, someone will bring along their (hungry) dog. Last
time Colonel P Smith’s spaniel outdid herself: she leapt up, head butted a
piece of Madeira cake out of Mrs Horngirdle’s hand - and ate the lot –
before even a crumb could touch the ground. A good piece of field work,
that.
Half-way through the afternoon, some over-excited member of the party
will decide to arrange a game of rounders. (Mr Poppinjay tried this one
year, as in his youth he had been athletic. Fortunately, the ambulance got
there quickly, and the ankle healed well.) Then the mothers who join in
will completely ignore the ball sailing past them, while they discuss some
burning topic of Mother’s Union gossip.
In the meantime, the young choir members, who were the reason for
arranging the game in the first place, will have drifted off to the lake to
throw stones at the ducks while no one is looking.
Cont’d…..

31. - 29 -
For our annual picnic, I use my own car, making sure it is so full of clerical
robes and church magazines that no one else can fit in. Throughout the
day, I keep returning to it to make sure no one has broken in to steal the
Communion wine – and taking the opportunity to catch up on the cricket
scores. By the middle of the afternoon, I usually remember that some
urgent duty, such as blessing a traction engine, demands my departure.
The rest of the party, by now soaked, cold and knowing the coach to take
them home is still several hours off, only wish they had such demanding
work to tear them away.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
Longest overdue library book has been returned – 313 years late
If you have ever been late in returning a library book, take heart: the 1704
copy of The Faith and Practice of a Church of England Man was recently
handed back to Sheffield Cathedral.
A handwritten inscription inside reads: “This Book belongs to ye Lending
Library in Sheffield Church 1709.” It left the library just over 300 years ago.
Sheffield Cathedral’s Reverend Canon Keith Farrow said that the family of
a deceased woman who lived locally had asked in her will for it to be
returned.
“Now it’s come back home. It’s a joy to have this little jewel back in the
cathedral.”
With overdue fines of 50p a day, librarians could have charged the family
more than £54,000 for the book — which itself is worth about £300.
The canon joked: “We might have got a new roof or something.”

32. - 30 -
at St John’s
in the month of March 2022
HOLY BAPTISM
6 March Lucy Rose Tomkins Markyate
May the Lord of his great mercy bless this child and give her
understanding of his wisdom and grace.
HOLY MATRIMONY
No weddings took place in March
FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES
15 March William James Scott Crabtree Close
31 March John Taplin Wright Bennetts End Road
May these souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
BURIAL OF ASHES
22 March Eric Batchelor and Rose Lilian Batchelor Hillary Road

33. - 31 -

34. - 32 -

35. - 33 -
SMILE-LINES
Tribute
The newly arrived minister was asked to take a funeral at short notice. At
one point in the service, she said: “As I did not know the deceased, is
there anyone here who would like to say a few words of tribute?” There
was silence for several minutes and then a voice at the back was heard to
say: “Well, his brother was even more like that.”
Mistake
A mistake is proof that someone was at least trying to accomplish some-
thing.
Found
On the church noticeboard: Contact lens found in church. See vicar. If you
can.

36. Produced and printed by the Parish of Boxmoor