Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have families with children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club meets this morning in the hall with Red Balloon – the children go out after the Procession to the Crib and re-join their families in time for communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
Volunteers for Kids’ Club
Marcus, our Red Balloon worker, needs volunteers to assist him in Kids’ Club on Sunday mornings. If you would like to help or for further information, please send him a message at mwalterspearce@rbf.org.uk.
Hearing the Service
St John’s has an Induction Loop System so if you have a hearing aid, please switch it to the ’T’ setting.
LENT COURSE
ANOTHER STORY MUST BEGIN
A LENT COURSE BASED ON LES MISÈRABLES
A joint Lent course between St John’s, St Peter’s and St Mary Magdalene’s based on the film, the novel and the stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misèrables. Join us on Wednesdays at 7pm for a light supper, followed by a short talk and lively discussion amongst friends both old and new. Through discussion of some of the themes and principal characters of this epic narrative, the course explores the grace of God, alongside our fallen state and opportunities for redemption. It asks us to reassess what we can do with our lives, both for ourselves and for those around us. The course will be hosted by St John’s.
29th March - Redemption and Salvation
Transformation and fulfilment through sacrifice
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
Our APCM takes place immediately following the 10am service. This is the meeting where we receive the annual report and accounts and elect our churchwardens and members to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). This year we will be electing churchwardens, three members to the PCC and three representatives to the Deanery Synod. Nomination forms are available at the back of church. Completed forms can be given to Bryan Sollenberger.
Our thanks to Bryan Stephens, whose term on PCC comes to an end, and we are grateful for his contributions to the parish over his three years on the council. The vitality of a parish like St John’s is dependent on people being willing to give of their time and skills in leadership of the parish. We are as a community grateful for all that they have brought and shared. Please think carefully about whether you might have skills you can share by standing for PCC.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday falls this year on 2nd April. We bless the palm crosses and hear the Passion Gospel in the morning. In the evening at 6.00pm we’ll have our annual Way of the Cross service based upon the ancient liturgy of the Stations of the Cross, using our very own rarely seen stations and with wonderful music, this year featuring Stabat Maters from Pergolesi, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Schubert, Haydn and Rossini. This beautiful and poignant service is a very proper way to begin Holy Week.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER 2023
Easter Flowers
Help us to decorate the church for Easter and remember loved ones at the same time by contributing to our Easter flowers. Fill in the slip in your order of service and give it to Andre Livins or Bryan Sollenberger after the service. A list of contributors and those commemorated will be posted in the porch at Easter.
Easter Baptisms
Are you considering baptism? Easter is the perfect occasion and the dawn service at 6am on Easter Day is a great opportunity for it. This is a very special and unique service and there will be an opportunity for adults and children to be baptized as part of the Easter liturgy. If you are interested in being baptized at this service, please speak to one of the clergy as soon as possible.
Maundy Thursday
A special sung mass commemorating the Last Supper with the washing of feet takes place on the Thursday night before Easter at 6pm. The mass setting will be Missa Festiva by Peeters and the anthem O Vos Omnes by Casals..
Good Friday Children’s Workshop
A children’s activity morning is planned for Good Friday between 10am and 12 noon for children from 0-11. Coffee, biscuits and hot cross buns will be available and we will build the Easter Garden. Volunteers are needed to help with the activities. A donation of £5 per child is requested (babies go free). If you can help, speak to Georgina.
Good Friday Liturgy of the Day
Good Friday is one of the holiest days in the Christian year. This service of reflection and prayer, centred on the passion and death of our Lord, is led by our choral scholars and is based around Jesus Christ, Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The service begins at 2.00 pm.
Mrs Mops’ Easter Special!
Andre is organising a special effort on Saturday morning, 8th April, to clean and to get the church ready for Easter. Please speak to him if you are happy to don your housecoat and report for duty for a morning of hard work and fun along with a mid-morning refreshment of the Vicar’s special hot milky brew. Come armed with your marigolds, Brasso and Pledge. Many hands make light work: please help if you can.
Dawn Vigil and First Mass of Easter
f EasterThis service begins at 6am with a Vigil of readings as we await the dawn and the resurrection of our Lord. This colourful and dramatic service incorporates the Service of Light, Renewal of Baptism Vows and the First Mass of Easter. Well worth getting up for! The service is followed by breakfast and champagne.
Easter Breakfast
A cooked breakfast is served in the hall following the 6am dawn service. Please sign up in the porch if you plan to stay for this. Anyone wishing to volunteer to organise the Easter breakfast would be very warmly welcomed by the Vicar (who will be coming off his Lenten diet).
Easter Reception
Following the Festival Eucharist on Easter morning there will be a fizz reception with finger food. Please bring a plate of finger food to share and indicate what you will be able to bring on the sign up sheet in the porch or on one of the clipboards that will be circulating during coffee.
Activities for Children at St John’s
Red Balloon, who are co-ordinating our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings at St John’s, are expanding the programme of activities they offer.
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11am
Giggles & Gossip is aimed at parents with babies and toddlers. There will be soft play available and the club will also consist of crafts and a story time for the parents and children to take part in.
