St John’s has joined Eco Church. We have set up a dedicated page for you to find out more and get involved.
Click the logo to find out more.
To keep track of this project check back frequently.
News
Previous news articles can be found here
Sponsor a shingle display
Thank you to everyone who ‘sponsored a shingle’ to help pay for our spire repair.
The display is now complete thanks to the help of Gill, Barbara & Christine. It will be on display in church for the next two Sundays and then placed in the spire.
There’s a few spaces if anyone missed the opportunity to do it….!
February News
Here is the February newsletter. Many thanks to Bernard for getting this ready every month.
Downton Cinema night
Well, Downton abbey definitely brought in the crowds.
It was great to see so many people dressed up in 1920’s attire. For the first time we had canapes and cocktails on offer and these went down a storm. Many thanks to all the helpers on the night making it such a fantastic evening.
The next cinema evening is on March 7th, the evening film is “Judy” a story of Judy Garlands last London Shows, played by Renee Zellweger.
Why not book online to beat the queues? Click the image above to take you to the booking page.
Lent Lunches
Lent Lunches 2020
St John’s will be hosting a series of lunches on Saturdays in Lent from 12-2pm in the Tamberlin Room. The lunches are hosted by volunteers to raise money for a charity of their choice and so donations are asked for (but are optional!).
Funds raised (including any Gift Aid) are split between the charity being supported (75%) and St John’s (25%). Lunches start on Sat 7th March so come along to enjoy excellent food and company while raising money for good causes – many of us find an excuse to go every week!
February Cinema
This weekend see’s the return of the Cinema to St Johns.
You can purchase tickets on this website, Just click the pictures below.
For the Downton Abbey film we are going back to 1927, we will have our staff available to serve you cocktails and canapés, so why not arrive a little earlier to get yours – these will be in a limited supply.
Why not come dressed to impress and make an evening of it.
Aladdin
Doors open 14:00 film will start at 14:30
When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that the evil has other plans for the lamp — and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save Princess Jasmine and his love for her after she sees that he isn’t quite what he appears to be?
Downton Abbey
Doors open 19:00, film starts at 19:30.
The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the king and queen of England soon unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue — leaving the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
Quiz Night 2020
February 15th 7pm
Our next event is a quiz night – the quiz master will be rev’d Lu.
Tickets are available online or on the door and are £5 per head. These events are quite often over subscribed so book early to avoid disappointment!.
January 2020 News
January 2020 news is now available online, to peruse at your digital leisure.
The bird survey is not on the online version but as you must be connected to be reading this, so why not head on over the the RSPB website to see what it’s all about?
Broadcasting Good News
"Beloved, let us love one another" 1 John 4:7
Today’s lectionary reading is from 1 John 4: 7-10
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love… 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Here are some prayers from Inclusive Church for Epiphany, which we celebrated on Sunday:
You share your love with every people;
we draw limits of race and creed.
Lord have mercy
You immerse yourself in love of life;
we hold back in fear and shame.
Christ have mercy
You change the water into wine;
we refuse to let our hearts be moved.
Lord have mercy
Christ has broken down the dividing wall that made us strangers to one another;
he has made us one humanity
that God might be all in all;
he is our life, our hope, our peace.
A poem
by Christopher Herbert, entitled Hedgehogs:
The hedgehogs
come snuffling and scuffling
through the garden
like old men walking along a path
Lord, thank you for the strangeness of hedgehogs.
At the beginning of this new year, we thank God for all that comes from the edges of our understanding and experience; and for all that challenges us from the highways and along the hedgerows, pointing us to deeper ways to love and pray. May we walk a wiser path and delight in your presence with us O God. When we feel our own prickliness to difference and put limits on your love, speak to us by your Spirit and immerse us in your love for all you have made and all who seek you. Christ, be our peace. Amen.
Steven Shakespeare, Prayers for an Inclusive Church, Canterbury Press 2008, p.149
Christopher Herbert, Prayers for Children, The National Society and Church House Publishing, 1993, p.48