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Church notice sheet - 24 January 2010

Readings

9:00am - Psalm 55 and Matthew 6:25-34
11:00am - Psalm 55 and Philippians 4:2-9

Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

The poor people of Haiti have been the worst earthquake there for over 200 years. The latest estimates suggest that over 100,000 people may have died with over 2 million injured and/or homeless. The international community has rallied to bring aid and relief in this enormous humanitarian crisis. Last Sunday, the retiring offerings totalled £440 and today we will again have a bowl available for retiring offerings for the Crisis Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.

The ROCK project

It's started! Work is progressing at a very fast pace. If you are in church you will have seen the photos (on the multimedia). Paul Cook (the builder) and his team working very hard. The walls have been removed, kitchen units etc., have gone, partitioning is up, pipes and wires are channelled in and kitchen units have been ordered - and all of this in the first week!

Please do not enter the kitchen area or the original creche area under any circumstances. If you have any queries please speak with Andrew Carpenter or Pauline Davis. The outside door into the kitchen is no longer in use at any time. Again, apologies for any inconvenience during this time and thank you for your patience. Would you please remember the builders and the work being undertaken in your prayers for the safety and progression of this project.

Children's groups

Our children and young people will also be affected. While the building work continues, the following rooms have been allocated to children's groups:

Financing the ROCK project

Some of you are probably wondering when the fundraising for this project is about to begin. The answer is -- never. For two reasons:

The first reason is that it has always been our policy, as a PCC at St John's to use our rent money for development, improvement and expansion rather than simply for day-to-day use.

Over many years the Preschool paid rent for the use of the building, and, we assiduously saved that money. Preschool has now gone to purpose-built accommodation in Greenmeadow school, but their rental income is available to develop the kitchen.

In addition, we have received some very generous donations from individuals, money given without being asked. We thank those who have given very heartily. For both of these reasons, we are able to go ahead with the project, without seeking more money from the congregation.

ROCK project thanks

Pauline Davis, and Andrew and Jean Dean deserves to be thanked for their hard work in clearing out the kitchen. Andrew Carpenter has been working closely with the contractor in church. We will have much more to say about Andrew's enormous contribution to this project later on.

JAM under the sea

JAM is happening again this year. The dates are Saturday 8th May and Sunday 9th May - so please put them in your diary. This year we are on board a submarine. The theme is "Trust And Obey" and will be communicated with all the usual thrills, spills, custard pies, buckets of water, slapstick and general mayhem of Jam, as our hapless crew find themselves at the bottom of the ocean in the middle of a minefield.

Jars of Grace

Have you still got your Jar of Grace at home? We would like you to bring it back as soon as possible. So far we have received a number of jars/gifts to the total of £2,399 including the Christmas Offerings and tax refunds to come on Gift-Aided Jars and donations. This means we are £192 below last year's record total of £2,591. If you didn't use a Jar of Grace at mealtimes, you can still give to the appeal! Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PC.

Praise, prayer and pudding

Emmanuel URC are hosting this evening's United service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity at 6pm. All the churches in this area will be represented. We ourselves are only a part of the worshipping Christians in this area. Lucy Gough has been to a lot of trouble putting this event together, including providing puddings for all who come. So, if you were able to be there, it would be really good to do so.

Gifts for Uganda

We are once again making a remarkable financial contribution to the diocese of Luweero. Frances David will be taking our gifts out in February, and I am absolutely delighted to say, that, for the first time, she will also be taking over £200 worth of gifts from Greenmeadow and Haydon Wick school. We look forward to this partnership continuing. We shall be publishing the actual breakdown of the figures next week, after our PCC meeting, so that you can see just how much money has gone where. Many thanks to Chris Hawkes for sorting all this out with Frances.

Praying for others

At St. John's we have two Prayer Circles which come into operation when anyone in our congregation needs prayer or finds themselves in a distressing or anxious situation. Anyone can ask for prayer at any time by contacting the Prayer Circle Co-ordinator, Jean Dean. If you would like to pray for others by being part of the Prayer Circle, please contact Jean who will be happy to tell you how it works and to answer your questions.

Filling station

The next Filling Station provision is Thursday 4th February. Would you please collect your notices from the foyer table today. If you are no longer able to provide food for the homeless, please will you let Mary Southgate know as soon as possible so that she can make alternative arrangements.

Swindon Pregnancy Crisis Centre

SPCC is running a new training course for women and men. It will follow the Care Confidential training approved by the Association of Christian Counsellors, and will run during February and March. They are looking for mature Christians with a sensitive appreciation of the difficulties of those facing crisis pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth. If you are interested, please contact Deb Donohoe or Pam Fletcher.

Parish Office

The Parish Office is open on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm. Please provide all items for the bulletin in writing first thing on Wednesday please!

Do you buy on line?

If so, please consider buying through http://www.buy.at/StjohnsHW. The church receives 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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Page last updated: 25 January 2010