APCM 2015 This will take place on Sunday 19th April 2015 after the 10 am service. This is a great opportunity to consider what has taken place in the year gone, as well as the direction we hope to move in.
The reports are available by clicking the link below, for you to consider in advance. At the meeting, we will proceed on the basis that these have been read.
Click here to download APCM Agenda Reports 2015
WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? It might not seem a particularly relevant question. ‘No one in particular, thanks…just popped along to church to mark Easter’.
Yet, as we’ll hear about in John’s gospel account of an empty tomb, it’s a question which Mary Magdalene is confronted with when her world is in turmoil.
I hope you don’t come here today in distress. But wherever you find yourself, I hope you are able to join us to consider that seemingly out of place headline question. It’s not so much a question that Jesus asks to elicit information, as it is one he poses as an invitation - to see and recognize that He stands in our midst.
Whether you came actively looking or not – I pray that today you will discover and meet the risen Christ.
Happy Easter!
Click here to download Weekly News 5th April 2015
A BIG WELCOME TO ARCHIE We extend a really warm St John’s welcome to Sarah and Dean, as they bring little Archie to take the plunge this morning.
We hope that all of you who have come to cheer Archie along as he is baptized feel at home. Some of what goes on in the service may feel less than familiar, but we’d encourage you to participate at whatever level you feel comfortable, and we simply ask you to be yourselves.
During the service we will be taking a collection for what is known as the Bishop’s Lent Call. That’s simply Church of England speak for a few projects that our local bishop is encouraging us to support. They include a couple of homegrown projects – XLP (working with urban youth in London) and Pecan (looking to address issues around unemployment), as well as a series of initiatives in Zimbabwe dealing with development, health & education and infrastructure.
Click here to download Weekly News 29th March 2015
Click here to download Langley Boys Community Choir A5 Flyer
MARKING EASTER Maundy Thursday, 2nd April at St John’s, 8pm
This year we are hosting the joint Maundy Thursday service with our friends from Coney Hall Baptist Church. During the hour or so together we will remember how the Last Supper came about, how it fits into the history of God’s relationship with his chosen people down the years, as far back as Moses, and will see how it fits into our Christian worship today. In a gentle reflective setting, with a mix of modern songs and traditional hymns we will honour the command of Jesus to remember and give thanks.
The service will have sufficient story and action in it to engage children of school year 5 and above.
Good Friday, 10am Walk of Witness, beginning at St Mark’s & 11am, United Service @ St Francis
The usual March of Witness down the High Street, followed by a service at St Francis with separate activities for children aged 3-11 years.
Easter Sunday, 8am and 10am Communion Services
Marking Resurrection day at both of our morning services, the 10am gathering intended for all ages.
Click here to download Weekly News 22nd March 2015
ARCHBISHOP USES THE ‘E’ WORD You might not have caught it, but last week Justin Welby chose to use the inaugural Lambeth Lecture to focus on the third of the priorities he has announced since taking up his post – Evangelism.
Not mission, but evangelism.
That’s significant. Renewed interest in mission is great, but it’s used to describe so many things, it is in danger of being evacuated of specific meaning. The Archbishop deliberately chose the ‘e’ word to indicate the significance of ‘proclamation of the Good News’ – not by a select few professionals, but every single Christian.
His address is timely. For the church nationally, but equally for us here at St John’s. I have already been discussing with the Faith Sharing Team that this is an area in which we need to raise the temperature. As Justin Welby said, ‘the best decision anyone can ever make is to be a follower of Jesus Christ.’
Click here to download Weekly News 15th March 2015 v2
INFO, INFO, INFO… This week we’re using the front page to fill you in on certain things ticking over in the background, as well as provide some details of things to come – all good stuff to pray for!
Click here to download Weekly News 8th March 2015
ELECTORAL ROLL
We are fast approaching our APCM (a church equivalent of an AGM), which will take place after the 10:00am service on 19 April.
Part of our preparations for that includes ensuring our Electoral Roll is up to date. This is a list of our regular worshippers and whilst you don’t have to include your name to be a part of St John’s, it does help us keep a track of our membership. So if, you’ve joined us more recently and your name isn’t yet on the roll, we’d encourage you to submit an application form.
Being on the roll gives you more of a formal say in what happens in the church. In particular, it enables you to vote in elections at the APCM, and stand as a candidate for our leadership body, the PCC. If you wish to add your name to the Electoral Roll, you must be baptized, at least 16 years of age (or sixteen on your next birthday), and live in the parish, or have worshipped at St. John's for at least six months.
Application forms will be available in church. Please return one either by putting it in the box in the porch, or by giving it to Geoff Batten or Paul Kingman by Sunday, 22nd March.
Click here to download Weekly News 1st March 2015
Politics and Christianity Last week the bishops published a paper on key issues for us to think about in the run up to the election. Criticism followed. “Left Wing C of E”... “Stick to Religion”... “Cameron angry with C of E”. Politicians felt that the church should keep out of politics.
We all know that Jesus upset the government of his day and was firmly on the side of the poor and marginalised and those suffering injustice but I felt miffed that the bishops seemed to have launched their paper so clumsily, so I prayed about it.
I was led to Isaiah ch1. Here God complains that his people have turned their back on him and should not expect favour until they “learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the fatherless and plead the cause of the widow.”
The issues the bishops address are enormous, and they have not made their case well, but the essential point is this. As long as politics includes responsibility for providing for the poor and marginalised, and for caring for the sick, the homeless and elderly people, then Christianity must make the voice of Jesus heard.
Click here to download Weekly News 22nd February 2015
THE SEASON OF LENT Once again, Lent is on the horizon.
As part of Southwark Diocese, we are annually invited to respond to Bishop Christopher’s ‘Lent Call’. He encourages us to support a set of projects around a theme, and last year the diocese was able to provide grants totaling £92,000. This year’s theme is ‘The smallest of Seeds’, from the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. The idea is that from the humblest of beginnings, mighty things can grow. We are invited to offer support for a selection of simple projects that might develop and have a significant impact on the lives of those they reach. These include PECAN, XLP in Southwark diocese and different projects in 2 dioceses in Zimbabwe.
More details of the projects can be found on the noticeboards, which are also a great fuel for our prayers. As we have done in the past, we will take a collection on Palm Sunday for the call, but their publicity mentions other ways in which people can contribute.
Click here to download Weekly News 15th February 2015
DEVELOPMENTS UPDATE We try to keep everyone abreast of the movement that takes place with the things we are currently pursuing. Information sometimes filters through the Home Groups, sometimes it’s given verbally or in the News Sheet, but we are aware that in periods of change communication is vital. If you are interested in forming a small buzz group to think about how we might enhance our communication, please let Jon know.
In the meantime, here are some headlines to pray about, and don’t hesitate to ask if there are any questions related to any of these:
Click here to download Weekly News 8th February 2015
LINK TO HOPE NEWS We’ve recently heard from Slavic that the car they use around Dancu is suffering from significant engine problems. The Inn of Love team want to continue delivering food, which is increasingly challenging in the snowy conditions.
Availability of quality parts, not to mention regulatory complications, means that it most likely that the team will purchase another vehicle, rather than attempt a repair. They are looking at a used 4 wheel drive Suzuki that can cope with the local terrain. With that in mind, our last donation as a church of £600 has gone towards this end. It really helps to keep us connected and inspired to the giving that we make to hear of how it helps out. So after the service there should be some pictures up on the screen to help you visualize how the contributions assist.
If you want to know more, then don’t hesitate to ask Milly for further details.
Click here to download Weekly News 1st February 2015
PASSING ON THE BATON OF FAITH… One of our expressed priorities for the coming years was that we would take seriously the mandate to pass on the mantle of faith to the next generation. One of the ways we try and do that is through the groups we run to reach different ages. There are plenty of opportunities emerging to be involved with this work - either because a group is gaining momentum, or due to a long-standing volunteer rightly stepping away to refresh themselves.
To put it more starkly – there is a need for more help with our young people, particularly in the different clubs that connect within the 5-14 age range.
This isn’t the same as being part of our Children & Youth Team, which is there to shape overall vision for this work. This is more about hands on participation with our youth groups. There are different levels of involvement and vast experience with young people is not a pre-requisite. If you think you might be able to help, and are happy to express a possible interest, no matter how tentative, please let Jon know.
Please click here to download Weekly News 25th January 2015
DAY-TIME ALPHA COURSE We are planning to run Alpha for people who might find it easier to meet during the day, rather than in the evening. The course will begin after Half Term - the week beginning the 23rd February.
The day of the week it will be held is yet to be finalised, but it will take place in the morning from about 10:30am. Exact details will follow shortly, but in the meantime if you are aware of anyone who might like to partake, then sow the seed early.
Equally, if you already know it’s for you, or you simply want to find out more about what’s involved, then let Jon or Tony & Beryl Holloway know.
Click here to download Weekly News 18th January 2015
NEW SERMON SERIES To start 2015, we’re diving into a new teaching series called ‘Difficult Questions’, the subjects of which are listed on the insert with this week’s News Sheet.
These aren’t topics simply for intellectual curiosity; some of the issues raised affect many of us personally. Equally, we hope to tackle the whole series in such a way that it is as applied as possible, not least of all in helping us negotiate some of the tricky issues that those who are exploring faith, or are skeptical about Christianity, might throw our way.
First up is ‘How do I trust God when I see bad things happening to good people?’.
Nick will be speaking on this subject and if you want to do a bit of preparation for this in the coming week, he encourages you to delve into the first 3 chapters of Job.
Click here to download Weekly News 11th January 2015
Click here to download Difficult Questions Insert (2) A5
MERRY CHRISTMAS & A BLESSED NEW YEAR This edition of our News Sheet covers the next few weeks. So depending on when you are reading this headline, there is every possibility that the greeting feels either a little premature, or a little late.
Whatever the timing, hopefully the sentiment behind it won’t be lost.
This is being written in the week leading up to Christmas – a time when you would hope for stories that warm your heart. Sadly, the news has been filled with headlines, which frankly shock afresh – revealing again humanity’s capacity for appalling acts of brutality, even towards the young. It has ever been thus. Part of the Nativity story that is often excised, tells of a threatened King committing infanticide.
Now, as always, we are in desperate need of the Light of the World to knock holes in the darkness. May you know His peace this season – God Bless.
Click here to download Weekly News 21st 28th December 2014
CAROLS IN THE PARK - TODAY If you’re not yet feeling the anticipation of Christmas, today is an opportunity to get in the mood, as well as warm up your voice for the season of festive singing.
Our annual gathering with plenty of local people to sing carols and drink mulled wine will be at Parklands Nursery at 5pm. Like so many of these events, it really is a case of the more the merrier. It’s also a great encouragement for Alison and the others working at Parklands, who are always looking to make positive connections with the community through all that they do at the Nursery.
So wrap up well, bring your friends, and take the opportunity to get to know some more people in Coney Hall.
Click here to download Weekly News 14th December 2014
CHRISTINGLE CAPERS Our two Christingle Services continue to be a firm family favourite over the Christmas period, forming part of many people’s Yuletide traditions. As before, they will take place on Christmas Eve at 3:00 and 5:00pm.
Not only is it a familiar way to usher in Christmas, but it gives us a chance to respond to the ‘Light of the World’ by giving to the work of the Children’s Society. If you want to do some fund-raising in advance, you can grab a collection candle from the porch and then bring it along to one of the services.
We’ll need to get a production line going for the making of the Christingles themselves. It’s fun for the kids, as not all the sweets quite make it onto the oranges! The more people we have to help, the better. Assembly will take place on Monday 22nd December at 10am, so if you would like to pitch in, join us at the church.
Click here to download Weekly News 7th December 2014
CONTACT BOOK UPDATE It might not make for the most enthralling headline, but making it easy to get in touch with each other is important.
The last version of our book was compiled in 2012, so it’s time to give it a refresh. We hold 2 versions of our contact book - one available to everyone, and the other a confidential version, which is only available to the clergy, churchwardens, SPAs and Parish Administrator.
There will be a copy of the public version of the book on the Welcomers’ Table. If you’ve joined us in the last couple of years and would like to include your details, or there is existing information which needs amending, please fill in one of the forms and place it in an envelope in the box in the porch.
In accordance with Safeguarding guidelines, young people under 18 may only be included in their parents’ entry in the confidential book. Young people over 18 can have an entry of their own. If you have any questions, please ask Margaret at the Parish Office during her working hours.
Click here to download Weekly News 30th November 2014
Click here to download A5 Contact Book Form v1
SOME DATES FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS DIARY Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch
Saturday 13 December 12:30pm, Assembly Rooms
Please see the flyer from last week for details, but bookings need to be made by Friday 5th December. We could do with some more help to run this event. NB There won’t be a raffle this year, so no prizes are required.
BIG Christmas Sing
Sat 6 December, 4pm, St Francis’ Church
A Collection will be taken in support of Christian Aid. They are looking for more singers - there are just 2 rehearsals, including one on the day. If you would like to join with the choir, contact: Geoff Mussard.
' 020 8650 8389 or geoff@mussard.org.uk.
St John’s Carols by Candlelight – 21 December, 7pm
Our publicity for this and all our Christmas services will be going out shortly, so your help with distributing the fliers will be much appreciated.
Click here to download Weekly News 23rd November 2014
SOMETHING FOR TODAY… The diary is already starting to get fuller in the run up to Christmas, so we’re putting some of the things for ‘today’ on the front page.
The first is we gather to give thanks for Eli and Libby. The rapidly expanding Leeves household invites us to join them in praying for their family, as well as celebrating with them afterwards in a ‘bring and share’ tea party. If you can, please bring a drink. There will be some sandwiches, crisps, cake, scones and fruit etc, and if you fancy getting your bake on (or off), feel free to bring contributions.
As mentioned last week, we’re looking to gather some money so that we can buy some books to give to our guests at this year’s Carol Service. A collection plate we be left out near the Welcomers’ table. If everyone in the church was able to give a fiver, then that would go a long way to getting a book for every family who joins us.
Click here to download Weekly News 16th November 2014
