St John's News

Single Morning Service 

Tuesday Evening Prayer meeting 

The weekly Tuesday evening prayer meeting in Church has been cancelled for August.  We look forward to welcoming you to join us when we resume at the Beginning of September.  

Notices from the Church Office 

Well done to Lois Bridgeman on her appointment to the role of Office Administrator.  Lois will be joining the staff team at the beginning of September, and I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Lois as she settles into her new role. 

Office Summer Closure 
The Office will be shut from 13 - 28 August, re-opening on Wednesday 29 August.  During this time, if you have anything urgent, please ring the office and leave a message, the answerphone will be monitored regularly and urgent messages will be responded to.  

Office Welcomer
From September we would like to continue with our Office Welcomer for one or more mornings during the week; if we have any volunteers who would like to make this happen.  So if you are interested in coming and being available to have a chat and a cuppa with visitors to the office and have an hour or two to spare please speak with Noelle or email the office and I will get back to you.

Noelle, Operations & Events Manager. 

 Parenting Teenagers Course

The Youth and Children’s and Families departments are here to help children and young people as they grow up and are here to support parents too.  As part of that there will be a five week Parenting Teenagers Course starting on Tuesday 2 October, 7:00-9:30pm in the Old Vicarage.  For more information see the flyer in the foyer or speak to Andy Williams or Clare Johnston.  To book a place please use the form in the flyer or contact the Church Office – info@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk or 01394 383162.

Pat Boyes visit to Woodbridge - August 15th -24th

Pat Boyes has asked that we let everyone know she will be staying at Grove Court Care Home, Beech Way IP12 4BW, between August 15th-24th and can be contacted on 01394 446500.  She would love to catch up with friends from this area, so would welcome a call.  

It is advisable to ring the home first before visiting in order to spread the visits and possible outings.   It is possible to book a lunch or dinner with her at the home which will cost between £6-£9. The family have asked Diana Evans (01394 388295) to be the local contact if needed.

Summer Family Fun Day - Wednesday 29th August

This year’s fun day will be at Felixstowe seafront, close to the pier. Come and join us for a relaxed informal get together by the sea with families from St John’s and others.  We’ll be there from 10:00 ‘til 2:00 but feel free to drop in whenever you like for as long as you like!  Bring along any sports or play equipment you like.  Why not invite friends or neighbours to come too? 

For more information contact Clare Johnston – 01394 383162 or clare@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk

St John's Summer BBQ - 2nd September 2018 

St John's Summer Activity Booklet 

This summer our theme is 'Let's Get Together'  We will be thinking about how we grow together as a community and using the picture of a tree to help us. On Sunday's we will have one morning service at 10:00.  All ages will start together in church and there will be the opportunity for children and younger teens to go out during the service for their own teaching and activities.  We also have a Summer Activity Booklet with an activity idea for every day of the summer holidays.  Copies are available in church or you can download one here.  This is for anyone of any age - not just for children!  Let's get active, get creative and get together this summer! 

St John's Summer Services and Church Family BBQ 

Alpha at St John's - Starting Wednesday 26th September   

On Sunday 22nd July at the 9am and 11am we will have invitation cards available for you to take and hand out to your family and friends.  Please prayerfully consider who you will invite along to this year's Alpha Course and feel free to come along with someone you have invited to the Introductory Session to encourage them, if needed.  For catering purposes, please contact the church office to let us know of anyone who may be interested in attending and in the meantime, please pray for the Alpha Course this year and the Lifegroup team that will be running this.  For further information please view our Alpha page, or click here. 

 

The Marriage Course - Starts 18th September 

Starting on 18th September, for 7 weeks, a chance to invest in your marriage.  Join us in the Church Hall at 7:00pm each Tuesday for a ‘date night’ to discover how to make your marriage stronger, more fulfilling and fun!  Invite your friends — all are welcome.   Speak to Amanda Clayton or click here to learn more. 

The Issue of Homelessness

With the recent extreme hot weather it is difficult to remember the very harsh winter and the plight of individuals sleeping rough in our town. At the time many of us were concerned and wanted to help but were unsure of what to do about it and who to contact for help and advice.
With this in mind a meeting will be held on the issue of Homelessness and how we in Woodbridge might get involved. This will be held at the Salvation Army Hall in Woodbridge on Wednesday 5th September at 7.30pm. Julia Hancock, manager of the Selig Trust, will be speaking and giving us information on what support is in place for anyone in our locality who finds they are homeless and may resort to sleeping rough. Julia is very involved with the Ipswich Night Shelter which each winter helps to provide hot food and shelter for many people. The big issue, however, is the long term need for these individuals and she will bring her experience of what local people can do to help and who we can contact for more support. This meeting is being organised by Churches Together in Woodbridge and Melton and is open to anyone who shares our concern and would like to get involved.
 
It would be good if someone with this issue on their heart would volunteer to champion this and take it forward after the meeting. If you or anyone you know would be interested in doing this or for more information contact Lyn Spall on 07748 211037 or email lynspall@googlemail.com

St John's Confirmation Service (with baptism) - Sun 25th November

We would love to hear from you if you are interested in being baptised or confirmed - you are never too old, so if this is something you have always wanted to do, please consider this opportunity.   The service will be held at St John's Church on Sunday 25th November at 5pm (there will be no Cafe Church on this day) and after the service there will be a shared supper for the candidates and church family - everyone welcome! 

If you are an adult please contact the Vicars P.A, Tracey Fearn, via the church office.  If you are in Revival Youth (Cells), please contact Andy Williams.  Preparation sessions will be arranged for both adults and youth in the Autumn - dates to be confirmed nearer the time.