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Church notice sheet - 7 February 2010

Readings

9:00am - 2 Samuel 23:13-17 and Mark 14:1-11
11:00am - 2 Samuel 23:13-17 and Mark 14:1-11

Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

We have now sent £1,752 to Tearfund for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Any further gifts can be passed to our Treasurer, Andrew, in envelopes marked 'Haiti'. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.

JAM in deep water

JAM is happening on Saturday May 8th and Sunday May 9th. Tony and Caroline Garrett are collecting the following items to be used in the craft sections of this event:

Please start saving these if you can and bring them into church.

It is often the organisers who feel themselves to be in very deep water, as the event gets closer and insufficient people have offered to work with children on that day. We don't so much need people to lead groups as to be part of them. You will get all the guidance you need from your team leader and group leader. So, this year please don't be a spectator. Get on the pitch and play! You will have a wonderful day, and it will inspire you in your faith and in your prayer.

Jars of Grace

The total is now £2,451 from 86 Jars/gifts. So we are just £140 short of last year's record total. Please continue to bring your Jars back. And if you didn't use a Jar of Grace in the build up to Christmas, you can still make a gift. Cheques should be made payable to St. John's PCC.

Renewal of giving

If you haven't yet received your Renewal of Giving brochure please don't leave church today without it. We would like to have all the Promise Cards returned by Sunday, 28th February so that we have as much information as possible to plan the St. John's finances for 2010.

Service on Ash Wednesday

There will be a service at 7:45pm on Ash Wednesday. Dave Day will be celebrating, and we will be able to hear more about what is happening in Wichelstowe.

The church electoral roll

The church electoral roll is being revised between the dates of Sunday 21st February and Sunday 28th March. If you are a regular worshipper at St John's then you should be included on the roll. Please see Sharon Mortimer for an application form and further information. If you have changed your address or phone number in the last year please let Sharon know so that she can keep the electoral roll up to date.

Christians Against Poverty

Geoff Naylor, the Swindon manager of Christians Against Poverty, has written to tell me about this organisation. Supported by Discovery Church (previously Wroughton Assemblies of God) they have helped 3,600 people become debt free nationally. Once a person or couple with debt problems has rung the Christians Against Poverty freephone number, an appointment is made to visit the person in their home. The debt adviser will then visit, taking along a Christian from a local church to start the process of helping the client to become debt free. In addition, they seek to give ongoing friendship and support and share the gospel.

Because a number of you have been involved with the Willows Debt Counselling Service, excellent as this organisation seems, I was in two minds about whether to advertise it. However, Christians Against Poverty seem to operate more centrally, so the whole business of planning a budget and contacting creditors is done elsewhere. If this different approach appeals to you, please have a word with Raymond afterwards.

Visit to Uganda

PCC was going to discuss this at our last meeting, but we ran out of time. One suggestion would be that we aim to visit Uganda in about 2 to 3 years time, giving people the opportunity to save up. We would be able to visit the projects in which the church was involved, including the school at Bwasiba, Kiwoko hospital and the blind school, and perhaps go on Safari in the north of the country.

It is just a suggestion at this stage, but if you would like us to explore the idea seriously, have a word with a PCC member. The country is exceptionally beautiful, gloriously sunny, with a remarkable wildlife, and wonderful Christian people - you will also effortlessly lose weight.

Leadership Ministry Team

We anticipate being able to publish the names of the Leadership Ministry Team next week. Because two of the Leadership Ministry Team will be churchwardens, we cannot, at this stage, publish all seven names. Both churchwardens need to be elected by the members of St John's at the APCM, so, without the aid of a crystal ball, we cannot tell you who they will be in advance! We do know that Pauline has decided to bring her time as churchwarden to an end, so we are currently exploring a replacement for her. We shall miss her extraordinary energy. But much more will be said about that at the APCM on Monday, April 19, at 7:30pm.

Luwero, Uganda

Pray for Frances David's visit to Uganda during February as she gives out our donations to the projects we support and for her safe return. Pray for our continued support of God's work in Uganda and that the Church of England and Church of Uganda might soon resolve their differences on the gay issue.

The Women's World Day of Prayer

This event is taking place at 2.00pm on Friday, 5th March 2010 at Emmanuel Church, Haydon Wick. The speaker is Mrs G. Hempstock. The service is prepared by the Christian women of Cameroon and it is an opportunity for us to join in this twenty four hour time of prayer with others around the world. All welcome - men, women and young people.

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: 8 February 2010