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Church notice sheet - 4 February 2007
Readings
9:00am - 1 Corinthians 12:1-20 and Luke 10:1-12
11:00am - 1 Corinthians 12:1-20
Jars of grace
Keep bringing them back! The total is now £2,070 from 80 jars. All the money raised will be shared between the work in Luweero in Uganda and the UNICEF appeal to benefit children in desperate need in the third world.
If you would still like to give but didn't save in a jar, please put your gift in an envelope marked 'Jar of Grace' and pass it to Andrew. Cheques should be made payable to St John's PCC.
J.A.M. Spread needs your help!
A date for your diary - Saturday, 28 April: J.A.M. in the Ark at the Haydon Centre. We are looking for childrens group leaders, helpers, refreshment person(s), scenery builders, arts & crafts people, puppeteers, actors/actresses, door bounders, registrars, a video operator, invitation/poster printing person(s), cleaners (for afterwards) and any volunteers for the not mentioned.
If you can do it, we need you!
Please put your name and preferred role on the list in the foyer if you are willing to help with this wonderful outreach to our local children.
A date for a meeting will follow shortly.
Thank you from all the team.
A slice of the pie
Periodically, St John's PCC reviews our missionary giving to establish our priorities and to allocate money to various agencies. In order to understand how it all works, imagine a cake cut into seven slices. The PCC donates one slice to each of four missionary agencies. It then donates one half slice to each of the next four, and reserves the seventh slice for emergencies or appeals throughout the year to which it would like to respond.
This year (and next) the first four slices will go to the diocese of Luweero, the South American Missionary Society (SAMS), the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and Bible Society. Links with the people of Uganda are very important to us, and it would be hard to imagine how money could be better spent. SAMS is a long established organisation working for the spread of the Gospel in South America. CPAS supports the mission of the Church here in England, and is patron of St John's, meaning, among other things, that it has a vital role to play in choosing a vicar. Many of our congregation have worked for Bible Society, which has worldwide links. These four represent the first tier of our giving as a Church.
The next two slices are shared equally amongst four local agencies. The beneficiaries will be Willows Counseling Service, Swindon Pregnancy Crisis Care, Swindon Youth for Christ, and Swindon Food Bank. These four agencies are well supported by members of the Church and represent the second tier of our giving.
We have already had a visit from Swindon Pregnancy Crisis Care, but some of the other agencies like SAMS and CPAS may not be so well-known to members of the congregation. It is important that we not only give to these organisations, but pray for them intelligently, and we will be trying to help you with that this year.
Tea and talk time
Over the last eighteen months the St John's pastoral care team has attempted to make pastoral contact with as many St John's members as possible. For some members, this has meant many visits and chats in response to particular needs, for others just the occasional chat or single visit, and for a few little or no pastoral contact.
We are keen to ensure that all members have the opportunity to talk to someone from the pastoral care team. So if Raymond, Pam (Fletcher), Norma, Jean or Andrew suggests he or she calls in to see you, don't think you've done something wrong or they want you to do something, it's just tea and talk time.
You don't have to wait for one of them to contact you though - if you would like a visit in the near future, just have a word with one of them, and put the kettle on!
Toby and Tamsin's double whammy
Firstly, the whole family will be with us for the morning service on Sunday, 18 February and are inviting anyone who would like to join them to come to the Dockle Farmhouse for lunch afterwards.
Secondly, they will be running their usual venture camp at Sidmouth. We have been advertising this on the multimedia for the last couple of weeks. Please pick up a brochure from the foyer. It is for children and young people from 8 to 18 and runs from Sunday, 29 July - Sunday, 5 August 2007. A week of action packed days and nights!
Building project
Remember, the fund remains open! Pledges can be turned into gifts at any time or paid by instalments. Cheques, made payable to St John's PCC should be passed to Andrew.
Women's world day of prayer
This will be on Friday, 2 March 2007. We have two services in this area - 10:00am at St Mary's Rodbourne Cheney and 7:30pm at St Andrews Moredon Road.
Do you buy on line?
We have received our first commission cheque amounting to more than £50! Log on via our website or go directly to http://www.buy.at/StjohnsHW. The church will receive commission from 2% to 12% on anything you purchase.
There are over 100 retailers involved (including M&S, Amazon, John Lewis, Comet) some of which offer exclusive discounts and promotions - and best of all ... there is no extra cost to the purchaser!
Tape Ministry
If you or someone you know would like a recording of the service, please contact Nigel Crowhurst, our Tape Co-ordinator.
What's on | Church notice sheets
Page last updated: 12 March 2007