Main service times
St Mary's: 9am
St John's: 11am
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Contacts
Rector: Colin Hopkinson (01268 542156)
Curate: Mark Petitt (07900 466373)
Community & Youth Pastor: Julian Patching (07535 674594)
Parish Office: 01268 490400
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Childcare Services
Manager: Gaynor Carter (01268 490400)
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Almost two operas
The St Mary’s and St John’s social group were out and about again this month in London. This time to see the Phantom of the Opera. Eddy Lee arranged for a coach trip for 46 opera buffs.
The trip went swimmingly until we got on the Embankment. Because of the crowds in London for Trooping the Colour the last half mile took 40 minutes.
Teen Brunch
Julian was delighted to welcome 12 young people to our first Teen Brunch held at St John’s on Saturday, 25th May. Some were from our faith community, others were those who simply regularly attend Connect.
Walls of Jericho – Church Mag June
All creatures great and small
The comments some people make about articles on web versions of Fleet Street’s finest rags make me laugh. Anything to do with Christianity gets them coming out in droves to denounce it all as fairy tales. In one recent one I read, the writer stated that he had no problem with people holding beliefs, but as far as he was concerned, he was a born again atheist.
Duck, no they’re seagulls!!
The thought of sitting in a bright yellow amphibian vehicle entering the Thames, especially after one of these sunk in the Mersey recently, did not fill me with the joy I would normally have when with the men and ladies of St Mary’s & John’s Church – but how I was so wrong thanks to Matthew our guide.
Walls of Jericho – Church Mag May
Your call is important to us
Easter Monday bank holiday, Jezebel rang the telephone company on behalf of her aged parent. After going through all the options – if you wish to pay a bill press 1, if you are moving house and wish to provide a final reading press 2, otherwise press 3, if you would like to discuss the weather press 1, if you need to report a leak press 2, if you agree with the chairman’s bonus press 3, to speak to a human press 4 – a recorded message told her the offices were shut for the bank holiday.
Resurrection isn’t just for Easter!
I am writing this article in the week before Holy Week but I am aware it is most likely to be read just after Easter Sunday. If we are not careful the great Easter theme of Resurrection is something we only think about for that one Sunday of the year. The resurrection of Jesus was a once off historical event but it revealed Resurrection as a theme that should underlay all of life for Christians.
No Joy for Children’s Joy
Since becoming treasurer of Children’s Joy UK, despite the incredible generosity of all of you who give us money to support the work that Pat and Len Joy do in the Ukraine with vulnerable youngsters, we seem to lurch from one crisis to another behind the scenes. Usually it’s the Ukrainian government changing the law every 5 minutes so that Pat and Len have an ever increasing array of hoops to jump through. Read the rest of this entry »
APCM – Coming soon
ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS
AND
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
Sunday 14th April 2013 at 7-9 pm following Worship at St John’s Church at 6.30pm
All members on the electoral roll or resident in the parish and on a Register of Local Government Electors are warmly invited to attend the above meetings at which we will be appointing our Churchwardens, their Deputies, a Deanery Synod Representative, PCC members and Sidespersons for 2013/2014.
Nominations forms will shortly be displayed on the notice boards of both churches.
The NEW Electoral Roll
The Church electoral roll is the foundation of the whole structure of synodical government in the church. It contains the names and addresses of everyone who can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
Please remember to sign up for the NEW electoral roll. Forms are at the back of each church. This year we have to produce a completely new Electoral Roll throughout the Church of England; there is no automatic inclusion!
This important document will give a snapshot of Christian presence in our area, as well as feed in to the national picture.
The Seniors’ Afternoon Tea & Film
The Seniors’ Afternoon Tea & Film on Sunday, 3rd March was another great success. 33 Seniors attended and 8 young people helped on the day.
Good Intentions – Church Mag March
Another Lent has begun. Already we are in the middle of our preparations for the greatest feast in the Christian calendar, Easter. So did you decide to give anything up for Lent? Or start something new? I have never understand why some people try to give up things like chocolate. It more-or-less guarantees that they will become the most miserable people living on the planet during this penitential season!
Our Thanksgiving Service
The vision for this service is summed up in its title. This service is a celebration. For everyone. We will be celebrating with our thanksgiving families for the gift of their children. We will be celebrating the amazing grace God has shown us in Jesus through the communion. We will be celebrating with the families whose children have recently joined the church through baptism. This service is a celebration.
Click this link to download the service explanation handbook
