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Church notice sheet - 21 December 2008

Jars of Grace

It's time to bring them back! If you have not brought yours back so far, please do so as soon as possible so that your Jar is included in the total for 2008. If you are a taxpayer and want to Gift Aid the contents, please put a note to that effect (with your name) in the Jar. In this way, we will be able to recover tax on the amount in your Jar for the benefit of Luweero, and the UNICEF education project, who will receive the Jar of Grace proceeds. And if you forgot to use a Jar of Grace this year, you can give to the Jar of Grace Appeal by putting your gift in an envelope marked 'Jar of Grace'. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.

Looking forward to 2009

We warmly welcome to St John's those who have joined us in 2008. Growing a church is not just about adding new people. That is a good start - but it is only a beginning. If a church is to grow according to the New Testament pattern then we all - long-standing and more recent members - need to develop in our discipleship. We need to participate in ministry, using our gifts to the full.

Continuous growth also requires the right kind of structures within the church. The Archdeacon of Malmesbury, the Rev. Alan Hawker will give the keynote address at the day conference on the subject in March. It will give us the opportunity to engage with the issue of how we can keep on growing as a church here in Swindon.

The date for that Day Conference will be Saturday, March 7th, 2009. The publicity leaflet will be with you shortly. As ever, we will organise an evening of entertainment here in church to finish off the day. For now - please put that date in your diary.

Philadelphia

It has been pointed out to Raymond, and in fact, he has just heard on the podcast, that no translation of the Greek word "Philadelphia" was given last week. Philadelphia actually means “brotherly love”. Most of you, I think, got there in the end, but my apologies for missing that out. Apologies especially to those of you who went out and bought packets of soft cheese in an attempt to spread Philadelphia.

Christmas Card exchange

The Christmas Card Sorting Office, for the exchange of cards between members opened for business in the old vestry last Sunday. Thanks to Pauline, Jean, Rachel and their young helpers it worked very smoothly.

Just put your cards to other church members in the large Christmas stocking outside the old vestry door. It should only be used for cards for members who you confidently expect to be in church between now and Sunday, 28th December.

And do please ensure that each card is clearly marked with the surname of the intended recipient. We are still getting cards with only a Christian name on the envelope even when there are two or more people with that name in the church!

We regret that we cannot take responsibility to deliver cards which have not been collected or claimed by Sunday, 4th January, 2009 when the boxes will be put away, and the Sorting Office closed, for another year.

Remembering the past - blessing the future

Earlier this year we announced the setting up of the St. John's Memorial Fund to be used to further and assist ministry within the parish, and not for the general running or maintenance expenditure which we meet from the regular offerings of our members. Our PCC has published a leaflet that describes how the Fund will be financed and explains the introduction of memorial plaques, to be affixed to chairs, as a tangible way in which gifts to the Fund, in memory of a loved one, can be marked. You can pick up a copy of the leaflet from the Church foyer.

Raymond and Alison's post-Christmas break

Raymond and Alison will be off from 28th December to 4th January. If you can avoid knocking on the door for keys etc over that period they would appreciate it.

Parish Office

The Parish Office will be closed from the week commencing 22nd December until Wednesday January 7th.

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.

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