Weekly News 15th February 2015/ The Season of Lent

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

Weekly News 8th February 2015/ Developments Update

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:

•  We have been consulting with different groups who use the Beacon Centre, inviting them to give feedback as to how they might redevelop the venue if they were given free rein. A brief has been passed to a professional designer who will be drawing up some proposals for us shortly.
•  The PCCs of the three churches in West Wickham will be meeting with a facilitator, Stephen Hance (The Diocesan Canon Missioner), in March to discuss in more detail the possibilities and challenges surrounding closer integration of the churches.
•  Our Team Leaders are meeting with Jon next week to assess progress.

Click here to download   Weekly News 8th February 2015

Weekly News 1st February 2015/ Link to Hope News

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

Weekly News 25th January 2015/ Passing on the Baton of Faith

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

Weekly News 18th January 2015/ Day-time Alpha Course

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 23^rd 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

Weekly News 11th January 2015/ New Sermon Series

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

Weekly News 21st & 28th December 2014/ Merry Christmas & A Blessed New Year

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

Weekly News 14th December 2014/ Carols in the Park - Today

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

Weekly News 7th December 2014/ Christingle Capers

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

Weekly News 30th November 2014/ Contact Book Update

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

Weekly News 23rd November 2014/ Some Dates for your Christmas Diary

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

Weekly News 16th November 2014/ Something for Today

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

Weekly News 9th November 2014/ Remember War: Strive For Peace

REMEMBER WAR STRIVE FOR PEACE One hundred years on from The Great War and conflict is no less present in our world. Whilst the majority of us here don’t experience the immediate bite of war, for many across the globe it is an all too painful personal reality.

It is appropriate then that on occasions our act of remembering becomes more than a private matter, and is something shared and public – an act of solidarity. That might mean gently laying aside some of the politics for a moment to stand with those who have been scarred by war, as well as those who remain exposed to its traumas.

‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

As we remember, let’s also strive – not least of all in our prayers for peace.

Click here to download    Weekly News 9th November 2014

Weekly News 2nd November 2014/ Welcome to the Walsh Family

WELCOME TO THE WALSH FAMILY We extend a really warm St John’s welcome to Louisa and Paul, together with all their family and friends, as they bring Jackson to be baptized this morning.

Luka, was baptized by Ken a few years ago and today his little brother is following in his footsteps. We appreciate that being at St John’s may not feel like ‘home’ for all of you, but we hope that you will feel at ease quickly and you don’t see the need to put on any ‘airs and graces’ for us.

Today, a number of our young people are playing an integral part in leading our service and we wait to see what they have in store for us as we continue with our theme ‘Consider it Gain’ – exploring some of the great things we receive in faith.

If you would like to find out more about what goes on beyond Sunday, across the ages, then don’t hesitate to ask and someone will point you in the right direction.

Click here to download   Weekly News 2nd November 2014

Weekly News 26th October 2014/ Light the Night

'LIGHT THE NIGHT’ Our Light the Night celebration continues to draw a large following and is a great opportunity to rub shoulders (literally, given how packed it usually is!) with people in our community.

Not sure what it is?

Light the Night is our alternative to Halloween. Instead of basking in the typically ghoulish antics that come with 31 October, we encourage people to have fun in a different way. The evening is jammed with games, crafts, challenges, food and sometimes, the night rounds off with fireworks.

Someone once said, ‘I’d rather light a candle than criticize the darkness’. We’re not ramming our views about Halloween down people’s throats, but offering a positive substitute.

It all requires some organizing. If you have capacity to help out – either in getting Wickham Court School / the Church ready, or during the celebration itself – then please sign up on the noticeboard, or let Julie Lancaster know. Thanks for your help.

Click here to download      Weekly News 26th October 2014

Weekly News 19th October 2014/ Saying Thank You for Phoebe

SAYING THANK YOU FOR PHOEBE Is a big part of what we will be doing today in our time together, not to mention praying for her and the whole Showell clan, as they look to continue walking closely with God as a family.

After the service there will be cake, tea and coffee, followed by a short communion. Hot on the heels of all that, the church family is invited to stay and enjoy a BRING & SHARE LUNCH. You might need to dash home and grab something, but Paul and Heather would be delighted if as many people as possible would stay and enjoy a meal together at the church.

They will kindly supply drinks but please bring whatever you wish to eat with half an eye on sharing it around with others. Food for the lunch can be brought to the 10am service in a cool box, and left on the back pew in the north aisle during the service.

We look forward to enjoying the celebration together.

Click here to download    Weekly News 19th October 2014

Weekly News 12th October 2014/ Eternity...Farewell to John Munns

ETERNITY...FAREWELL TO JOHN MUNNS. Today we’re thinking about eternity. It’s the last of our sermon series, started weeks ago, about applying the gospel in our lives as Christians; at home, at work and in our community, in the world at large and among our neighbours. It must surely be a God-instance that this final topic comes just days after our farewell in church to John Munns.

At his service on Thursday we heard a bit about his wonderful final few hours with Sally, Andrew and Rachel. Jon Ward explained how, when John was asked what he felt about dying, in typical understatement he said that he was not really very keen on the idea but knew that he would soon be in a better place.

Later on he was asked what he would like to say to the church if he had one final opportunity to preach. After some thought, the sense of his reply was that he’d say that he knew that where he was going would be wonderful, and he wanted everyone to know that and to be sure to join him there!

So it can’t simply be a coincidence that on the day when we are thinking about eternity and heaven we have this vibrant example before us, of John’s faith and clear expectation of an amazing new life with God, forever. John understood eternity.

Click here to download    Weekly News 12th October 2014

Weekly News 5th October 2014/ A Weekend of Celebration & Thanks

A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATION & THANKS This Sunday we come together to mark Harvest and give thanks for everything that we receive from God. Within that spirit of gratitude, we’ll be getting behind the 3^rd West Wickham Scout Group as they celebrate their 80^th birthday.

As we have done in the past, we will take a food collection for the Salvation Army, who will distribute it to those who are struggling. We will also being taking a money collection to set up a bursary for the Scouts, called the ‘Ken Gaved Bursary’.

Many of you will have fond recollections of Ken and his love for Scouting. On their 80^th celebration, it seems a fitting way to honour his memory and mark this occasion, and we’ll provide some more details in the service as to what the bursary will go towards.

In the meantime, we join together to say thank you to our good God.

Click here to download   Weekly News 5th October 2014

Weekly News 28th September 2014/ Team Leaders

TEAM LEADERS We’ll be thinking a lot about mission beyond our parish this weekend, but I also want to draw your attention to the people who’ve been chosen to lead the teams we are developing to enhance our local mission.

You will recall that the PCC got together a couple of weekends ago to pray and vote from a list of people, nominated by the whole church. The following pairs of leaders emerged:

Faith Sharing                                                     Mission Outside the Parish

Charlotte Faint & Mike Slatter                    Milly Johnson & Elzbieta Cienciala

Worship                                                              Children & Youth

Jonny Faint & Barbara Bassot                      Anna Seabrook & Julie Lancaster

Care & Befriending                                         Social Action

Sue Watson & Maureen Lang                     Aston Stockdale & Jackie Barter

Prayer

Richard Greenhalgh & Barry Clements

We will commission these people in due course, and I will outline the next stage for the teams, but in the meantime please pray for them.

Thank you.

Click here to download      Weekly News 28th September 2014

Weekly News 21st September 2014/ ...Mourn with those who Mourn...

…MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN...

I expect that most of you will have heard the sad news that our brother in Christ, John Munns, passed away on Wednesday evening.

 We can’t escape the reality that things moved faster than any of us anticipated. When you’re in shock, it’s difficult to digest too many words. For now, we acknowledge there is pain and use that feeling to stir us in prayer for Sally, Rachel and Andrew.

 Details of how we will mark John’s life and his strong faith are yet to be finalized. They will of course be shared in due course, and then we can put some more words to the man that he was, and the God that he believed in.

 Until then, let’s mourn with those who mourn.

 God Bless. Jon.

Click here to download   Weekly News 21st September 2014