A member of our congregation runs this charity rescuing vulnerable children from hazardous work situations and abuse. She has asked for our prayers as she and a group of workers are there at the moment. Please pray for Jo and her group to stay safe and for the work they are doing to progress to keep these children from harm. Thank you.

You can keep up-to-date with the work in Nepal by subscribing via this link (you can unsubscribe at any time) : https://eepurl.com/hYQE9z

As we work together to welcome and receive all God is offering and calling us to be part of in our new Parish of Shirley with St John’s and All Saints, please let us know what you can do to help. Just fill in and return this short survey- it doesn’t commit you to anything, but helps all of us to talk, share and develop for the good of all we serve and for the Lord we love. Thank you.

https://www.inclusive-church.org/llf-open-letter

St John’s is a member of Inclusive Church. This is a letter inviting individual members of the CofE to affirm support for equality for LGBTQ+ people in the light of the Living in Love and Faith process in which we as a congregation took part quite early on.

A message from Ros on behalf of the PCC:

St Johns is now part of the A Rocha ECO CHURCH programme and this will help us to  all do our bit to help address the environmental challenges currently facing us. Eco Church is a learning community of churches of all shapes and sizes open to all denominations. It provides a framework of support for us to take practical action on caring for God’s earth, through the Eco Church survey. The survey covers five key areas of church life:

• · Worship and teaching
• · Buildings and energy
• · Land and nature
• · Community and global engagement
• · Lifestyle

The survey will guide us and help us assess our progress towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold Eco Church award. Do check out A Rocha UK web site. It is a Christian charity working to protect and restore the natural world and committed to equipping Christians and churches in the UK to care for the environment.  

We are beginning to make our fabric banners to hang in church for Creationtide in September. Everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. If you would like to join in come to St John’s Tea Room on Sunday 26th January 3-5pm for the first group meeting.

St John’s Tea Room is open every Sunday afternoon, 3-5pm, in the hall next to the church and welcomes everybody.

If you have them, a small tape measure and scissors maybe useful. Fabric, wool and other materials will be provided and tea, coffee and cake available.