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.
Summertime Special Services
For our summer services, the musical setting will be familiar folk tunes for the Gloria and other sung parts of the service. This will be combined with a slightly shorter service in that there will be only one reading and no Psalm. We hope that this will be more accommodating of families that are in church while Kids’ Club is on holiday. Normal services resume on Sunday, 2nd September.
Back to School Sunday
2nd September, 10am
Starting the school year can be exciting, but also daunting, and so during this service we give a blessing to all children starting reception or returning to a new year. All reception starters receive a special pencil case and those returning receive a commemorative St John’s wristband. Following the service we will also have a game of rounders in Hyde Park (near Buck Hill). All welcome, but bring a Picnic!
St John’s Family Camping Trip
7th – 9th September 2018
St John’s families are organising a camping trip in September again this year at Debden House. If you are interested in coming speak to Samantha Tear with some indication as to whether you are interested in coming for 1 or 2 nights. Also, if you are not coming but have a tent to lend, please let us know so we can help anyone who wants to come. Thank you.
http://www.debdenhouse.com/campsite-epping-forest.html.
Dog Collar Dinner, 14th September 2018
The launch of the social season this autumn will undoubtedly be the Dog Collar Dinner on 14th September! This safari-supper style meal will involve moving from home to home for each course. Tickets have been priced at £25 per head and are available after this morning’s service at the back of church. People are asked to bring a bottle in order to raise as much money as possible for the appeal. There will no doubt be a raffle as an appeal event would somehow be incomplete without one! All proceeds from the evening will go towards paying off the loan for the roof works from last year.
The Bishop is Coming
We are pleased to welcome the new Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Sarah Mullally, to St John’s on Sunday 30th September, when she will preach and preside at the 10am service. We will have a fizz and finger-food reception so you have an opportunity to meet Bishop Sarah after the service. A letter will be going out about this – keep a look out for it and mark the date in your diary.
Remembrance Sunday
11th November 2018
Many of you will probably remember the impact of the ceramic poppy display at the Tower of London in November 2014. This year to mark the 100 year anniversary of the end of the Great War The Remembered Charity are launching 'There but not there'. The idea is that those who gave their lives are remembered by silhouettes or name plates on Remembrance Sunday. Our intention is that as many of St John's roll of remembrance (30) will be represented as possible and we invite congregation members to take part. A name block costs £10 or a torso sized perspex silhouette designed to sit on a chair costs £42. Each of these could be placed on a seat to be amongst us all for our service of remembrance and help ensure that each of them will not be forgotten.
Andrew Moxon will be co-ordinating a list of names from our roll of remembrance so please email him on andymox@hotmail.com if you would like any more details and to check what names are available. More information also available on www.therebutnotthere.org.uk.
Culture Vulture Ventures
A Misèrable Venture 18th September 2018
Thanks to Jonathan Hill, lead violinist in the show and one of our wonderful Sunday morning players, we have 12 halfprice tickets for Les Miserables on Tuesday 18th September at 7.30pm - £35 instead of £70! Another thank you to congregation member Jamie Poulton, for facilitating our pre-theatre supper booking at his renowned Soho restaurant Randall and Aubin, 14-16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SG www.randallandaubin.com. Full details to follow, but to secure your seat for Les Mis. please pay Margaret £35, cheques preferred.
Culture Vultures visit Colchester Friday 12th October
A late Autumn day trip to the historic Roman City of Colchester on Friday 12th October. Full itinerary nearer the time but may well include visits to the Roman Circus and Claudius Gateway, the city walls, the castle and Firstsite, the spectacular golden building which houses Colchester's new contemporary art space. Bring a packed lunch and then enjoy tea, perhaps at Tiptree Tea Rooms or Brutus’s top tea shop, Tymperleys. Travel by train from Liverpool St. Station. Please let Margaret know if you would like to join this Venture.
St John’s Big Gay Night Out
A new social activity for gay guys & girls and their friends.
Friday 7th December - Mother Goose Cracks One Out!
This year’s pantomime follows years of sell out performances at Above the Stag theatre. You’ve not really been to a panto until you’ve been to Above the Stag.
Tickets for either show £25. Meal before the show at Pico bar and grill (next door to the theatre) – pay as you go. For either event, please contact Ian Smith (ipas@hotmail.co.uk) or leave your payment, stating which event, together with your name, email address and phone number at the church office.
Keeping It down to a Dull Roar!
St John’s is a whole family church. Children play such a significant role in our community life and we ask parents to remember that it is important to teach children that church time is a special time when we say our prayers. We want you to enjoy being part of our service as a whole family. If you have a small child who becomes restless or upset during the service, feel free to take them into the hall, or outside.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
St James & St John School
This is our school; a school with a proud history and an aspirational future. St. James & St. John School provides both academic and personal development for every child, underpinned by Christian values. To quote Ofsted: "This is a good school. It is strongly supported by parents and carers. The strong provision for development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that pupils are kind to new arrivals and respect one another's values. Progress in English and mathematics is good and this reflects the good teaching and curriculum." Please feel free to visit.
Under Five’s Playgroups
The playgroups are taking a break for the summer holidays and will relaunch again in September.
