News Archive - May 2008

John Heffer - 50 Years of Ministry

Friends and family of the Rev John Heffer helped him to celebrate 50 years service in the ministry on Trinity Sunday, exactly 50 years after being ordained at St Albans Cathedral.

This Trinity Sunday (18th), he officiated at the Sung Eucharist in St Mary's Eaton Bray.

Mr Heffers' wife, Sheila, and children were there to join in with the celebrations, as well as members of the Eaton Bray congregation.

Other guests included Peter Bennett, who served with Mr Heffer throughout two interregnums and felt privileged to speak on behalf of everyone who had benefited from Mr Heffers' ministry, past and present.

Mr Heffer thanked everybody who had a part in making the day so special and said he was delighted that members of his personal family hd been able to make the journey to be present.

His biggest thanks went to his wife for all of her support through the years.

Mr and Mrs Heffer were presented with a water colour painting of St Mary's Parish Church in Eaton Bray, a cheque and a hanging basket of flowers.

Mr Heffer had served in many places through the years. He left the full-time ministry in 1978 for three years and took a job as a bus driver with United Counties, while working part-time as a non-stipendiary minister with the vicar of Leighton Buzzard, Canon John Scammell.

In the last few years before retirement, he retuned to work in th All Saints' Leighton Buzzard clergy team, finally retiring to Edlesborough in 1991.

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