Church News
Church Fayre
Thank you to everyone that supported the church's Christmas Fayre. We raised nearly £1,700 for church funds, which is a great amount.
(Monday 27-11-2011)
Public Debate
There will be a public debate about "How should Christians engage with the Prime Minister's "Big Society?". The debate is open to all and admittance is free. There will be visiting speakers, including Robin Walker MP.
(Monday 24-10-2011)
Harvest Auction
The auction of perishable food, donated at this morning's service, raised over £120 for the DEC's East Africa Crisis Appeal. Thank you to everyone that placed a bid!
Non-perishable items will be donated directly to The Maggs Day Centre.
(Sunday 02-10-2011)
There's no such thing as a Free Lunch...Or is there!
Here at St. John-in-Bedwardine Parish Church we're offering free lunches to Students on Sundays. So come along to our 10am service from 25th September 2011 onwards to join us for a light meal afterwards.
Just turn up! You are assured of a warm and homely welcome at our church.
(Friday 23-09-2011)
Fayre Photographs
Some photographs from the fayre are now on our "Gallery".
You can find the gallery at http://www.achurchnearyou.com/album.php?V=18634 or linked off our page on "A Church Near You"
(Tuesday 26-07-2011)
Successful Summer Fayre
Yesterday's Summer Fayre was a very successful day and as the weather held off was an enjoyable one too. We had lots of visitors, including the canine variety for the "novelty dog show"!
Thank you to everyone that supported the Summer Fayre yesterday by either visiting the fayre, running a stall or donating items for sale.
(Sunday 17-07-2011)
Vacancy: Organist & Choirmaster
Hours: Usually Thursday evening practice, Sunday 10am CW Parish Communion, Sunday 5pm BCP Evensong (1st Sunday only)
An enthusiastic Organist & Choirmaster is required to lead a small SATB robed choir, work to build up the choir and work with the Vicar to lead the congregation.
For an informal discussion about the scope of the post, contact the vicar, Rev’d Chris Stuart (please see "Contact Us"). To apply please send a CV to the vicar c/o The Parish Office, 1a Bromyard Road, St. Johns, Worcester. WR2 5BS.
Application deadline: 29th July 2011
(Monday 11-07-2011)
Retirement
It was announced today that David Lindop, Organist & Choirmaster, will retire after 36 years at the organ.
(Sunday 10-07-2011)
Heating system upgrade work resumes
Work to upgrade our heating system resumed yesterday. Some of the radiators are being replaced with more powerful ones and the boiler room works are continuing from the emergency work undertaken at the end of 2010 when the old boiler broke down.
(Tuesday 07-06-2011)
Vicar in the Holy Land
The Vicar is currently unavailable because he is leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. However, the church remains open during the day for visitors, quiet reflection, or prayers.
(Monday 07-03-2011)
Boiler fired!
The new gas boiler was fired for the first time yesterday afternoon! The project is far from finished and has been drained again today to allow work to continue, but we have at least got something working!
(Thursday 06-01-2011)
Church opening
The church will not be open on Tuesday and Wednesday (and possibly Thursday and Friday) because the boiler contractors will be working in church.
(Monday 03-01-2011)
Boiler update
The work to replace the old boiler is progressing well. The old boiler has been removed, the new boiler is on site and the services (electricity and water) to the boiler room are being renewed.
(Sunday 19-12-2010)
Temperatures rise at St. John’s Church
Despite the freezing temperatures outside, temperatures inside St. John’s Church are set to rise after the church decided to hire temporary heating.
After enduring temperatures only just above freezing last Sunday (28th November) and with forecasters predicting that temperatures were set to plummet further, parishioners decided to use the money saved on the gas bill to bring in some temporary heating. The temporary heaters will be used until the church’s new boiler is installed and ready to go.
Since the church’s Victorian boiler was condemned in October, parishioners have been working hard to get the boiler replaced. With the church being a Grade II* listed building and the age of the boiler, there have been many hurdles to overcome. However, the work is finally due to begin on Monday 6th December, with the removal of asbestos from the boiler room. The efforts to replace the boiler were helped by receiving a grant offer of £8,000 from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund (SWEF), which is a fund made up of financial contributions from Severn Waste Services through the Landfill Communities Fund. It is hoped that the new boiler will be up and running in time for the main Christmas services.
(Friday 03-12-2010)
South aisle work completed...for now
The restoration work in the South Aisle has been completed for now.
(Friday 03-12-2010)
South aisle restoration work
During the next couple of weeks, restoration work to the plaster and paintwork in the South Aisle is being undertaken. When it is complete the South Aisle will once again look welcoming for our visitors.
The church remains open for visitors during this work, however please be aware that it might mean that the church could be noisy and will not be as neat and tidy as normal.
(Wednesday 17-11-2010)
Philomusica concert CANCELLED
We regret to have to advertise the fact that the Philomusica concert organised for this coming Saturday (13th November) has been CANCELLED due to no heating in church.
(Monday 08-11-2010)
Funding Grant for Boiler replacement
A grant offer of £8,000 has been received from the Severn Waste Environmental Fund (SWEF) towards the boiler replacement project. This is great news and helps us towards the total cost.
SWEF is a fund made up of financial contributions from Severn Waste Services through the Landfill Communities Fund and is managed by the Pershore based charity Welcome to our Future.
(Sunday 31-10-2010)
Temporary heating
The church is currently hiring temporary heating in the form of a diesel powered blower. The boiler replacement project is progressing quickly.
(Sunday 24-10-2010)
Church boiler
The church has suffered a set-back after the main church boiler was condemned by its annual safety check, as reported in the Worcester Standard (http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/news27906.html). The church has applied for funding but has only had £8000 granted towards the £24,000 project so far.
A source of temporary heating has been loaned to the church, but offers of additional heating would be welcomed and of course any donations towards the project.
(Saturday 16-10-2010)
Harvest - News
Thank you to everyone that offered something in thanksgiving for the Harvest. We have a fantastic amount to take to The Maggs Day Centre and the auction of perishable goods raised £150 for Action water.
(Sunday 03-10-2010)
Harvest
Harvest thanksgiving is this coming Sunday. Please remember to bring something and/or take part in the auction after the 10am service.
(Monday 27-09-2010)
Spirit of Peace tour
We have been asked to publicise the forthcoming tour coordinated by Spirit of Peace.
Sheikh Ghassan Manasra is a Muslim spiritual teacher, writer, scholar and peace worker. Hanna Jaffe is a Jewish storyteller, musician and healing arts practitioner. Both reside in Israel/Palestine. They will be telling stories of peace and reconciliation accompanied by other arts.
The "Stories 4 Peace" tour is organised and coordinated by Spirit of Peace, a growing UK registered charity. For more information contact: Jane Ozanne on 07711 960 644 or Noel Lockyer-Stevens on 07504 633 985 or email: lockyerstevens@hotmail.com
(Monday 27-09-2010)
Harvest
We will be giving thanks for the Harvest on Sunday 3rd October at 10am with a special All-Age Parish Communion.
This year we are hoping to support The Maggs Day Centre and Action Water. Donations of non-perishable items will be donated to Maggs and perishable items will be auctioned after the service and the money raised will be donated to Action Water.
(Saturday 18-09-2010)
Relate
Relate Worcestershire is a local charity dedicated to helping people to maintain and care for their personal relationships. As times get tougher, more and more people are in need of Relate’s specialist help with managing the effects on their relationships of job losses, spiralling debts and the increasing uncertainty of the economic outlook. Hence, we have been asked to advertise their services.
Relate Worcestershire operates in Worcester, Malvern, Tenbury, Bromsgrove and Broadway. There is no need for a referral – anyone in need of our help can make an appointment for themselves by calling 01905 28051.
If you would like to find out more about the work that Relate does or make a donation towards their work, then please call Paula on 01905 23597 or visit www.relate-worcestershire.org
(Wednesday 25-08-2010)
Opening Times
Due to holidays, the church may not be open on Wednesday or Thursday (4th & 5th August).
(Tuesday 03-08-2010)
Retreat Review
There was a successful and useful session at the Brunswick Arms pub this morning where we reviewed the aims set out at the Retreat held in January. Most agreed that good progress has been made in many of the areas identified in January, such as with the setting up of the Children's Church and with the courses already running and organised for the coming year. New aims were set for the coming months. Thank you to everyone that took part.
(Saturday 17-07-2010)
Village Fayre
The Village Fayre held last Saturday was a very enjoyable event and extremely successful. About £2,500 was raised on the day overall.
(Wednesday 07-07-2010)
Contacting Rev'd Chris Stuart
Chris will be on Study Leave this coming week (w/c 13th June). Please therefore contact him during the day in emergencies ONLY. He will be at the Parish Office on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 4pm and 5pm as normal. Evening Prayer will be at 5pm in church as normal too.
(Sunday 13-06-2010)
Plant Sale
Thank you to everyone that supported the Plant Sale on Saturday. The event raised £591 for the Church.
(Thursday 27-05-2010 UPDATED Sunday 13-06-2010)
Royal British Legion
Congratulations to Rev'd Chris Stuart, our Priest-in-Charge, who was made Chaplain to the Royal British Legion last night during the monthly service of Evensong.
(Monday 03-05-2010)
All-Age Parish Communion and Children's Church
Up until now, All-Age Parish Communion has been every second Sunday, or special Sunday. However with the start of Children's Church, All-Age services will be on Fifth Sundays and other special Sundays only.
Children's Church is going to be run every Sunday during the 10am Parish Communion service in term time when the service is not "All-Age".
At the moment this is NOT expected to affect the Music Group or Choir: The Music Group will continue to lead the 10am second Sunday service and the Choir will continue to lead all other 10am Sunday services.
(Tuesday 30-03-2010)
Sunday Evening Prayer and Evensong
From Easter onwards the time of the Sunday evening service will change from 6.30pm to 5pm. This is so that the service will be during the daylight hours for more weeks of the year. This DOES NOT affect the services on 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th March.
(Sunday 07-03-2010)
Good Friday Children's Craft activity morning
St. John's Church is hosting a "Children's Craft" morning on Good Friday, 10am to 11.30am in the church. All children are welcome to come and take part.
(Thursday 04-03-2010)
Children's Church
A new and exciting venture will be starting after Easter for children in the Parish. Although a name has not been decided upon yet, there will be a Children's Church/Junior Church/Sunday School with Bible related activities run during the 10 a.m. Parish Communion. This will start on Sunday 18th April 2010.
We have got a team of people to lead & help run these activities, however more people would be welcome! If you would like to be involved with leading or helping with the children's activities, please let us know, preferably as soon as possible so that CRB checks etc. can be completed in time.
(Saturday 06-02-2010)
Parish Retreat
Initial indications from the Parish Retreat seem to show that it was a successful day with useful outcomes that can be discussed in the near future. A working party will be formed to carry out some of the objectives.
More details of what was discussed and the working party will be added at a later date.
(Saturday 23-01-2010)
PCC meeting POSTPONED
Due to the snow, the PCC meeting initially scheduled for Wednesday 6th January and rescheduled for Wednesday 13th January has been postponed once again due to the snow to Monday 18th January.
(Friday 15-01-2010)
Parish Retreat: POSTPONED
Due to the snow, the Parish Retreat, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed until 23rd January 2010.
(Friday 08-01-2010)
DIY Carols
The DIY Community Carols event last night (Friday 11th December) was an enjoyable event for all with a good attendance and many happy children pleased to see Santa.
(Saturday 12-12-2009)
Parish Office opening times change
Please note that the Parish Office will now be closed on Tuesdays due to illness and hence will only be open Wednesday to Saturday.
(Friday 04-12-2009)
Church Fayre
We are delighted to report that the combined total raised from the Guildhall Coffee Morning and the Church fayre was £1700. Thank you to everyone that came to these events.
(Thursday 26-11-2009)
Concerts
We would like to thank Robin Ward, Philomusica and the Worcester and Porthcawl Male Voice Choirs for their excellent concerts over the last few weeks.
(Tuesday 17-11-2009)
Parish Office back to normal
The damp-proof work in the Parish Office has now been completed and things should be back to normal now.
(Wednesday 04-11-2009)
Parish Office
Please note that the Parish Office will not be in its normal room next week as damp-proof work is being undertaken in the normal room. Please be aware that this may result in some disruption with furniture and information being moved about. Thank you.
(Thursday 22-10-2009)
Welcome to Christopher Stuart
At a well attended Installation and Licensing service this evening, Christopher Stuart has now been licensed as our Priest-in-Charge. Welcome!
(Sunday 04-10-2009)
Christopher Stuart's Installation
Christopher Stuart will be installed Priest-in-Charge at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday 4th October in the Church. Everyone is welcome, and if possible please sign up on the list at the back of the church so that seating and refreshments can be planned. Thank you.
(Monday 07-09-2009)
Back to it...
Meetings, Groups and Activities are starting up again after their summer breaks. Please take a look at the calendar to see dates and times.
(Mon 31-08-2009)
Quiz Night - Results!
Thank you to everyone that came and took part in the Quiz Night last Saturday. There was a great atmosphere with so many people there. The night raised £185 for Church funds. And, well done to "Table 4" who won the quiz.
(Tues 04-08-2009)
Please note...Church opening times
Please note that the church may not necessarily be open as normal every day between Saturday 25th July and Saturday 1st August. If you would like access during this week, please contact the Parish Office (open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and Saturday 5.45 p.m. to 7 p.m.) or one of the Churchwardens.
(Sun 19-07-2009)
The name of the new Priest-in-Charge is...
The name of our new Priest-in-Charge was announced in church today. He is: The Rev'd Christopher Stuart. He is currently the Curate at Pershore Abbey and will be installed as Priest-in-Charge on Sunday 4th October at 6.00 p.m. (note this is earlier than normal Evensong).
(Sun 12-07-2009)
Priest-in-Charge An update on the Vacancy
The name of the new Priest-in-Charge will be announced on Sunday 12th July. They will be installed in early October.
(Wed 01-07-2009)
Great Witley Operatic Society
Thank you to all who came. This was a very enjoyable and successful concert organised at very short notice.
(Sun 28-06-2009)
Carlo Curley concert
Thank you to all those that came to the concert. This was an enjoyable and successful evening.
(Thurs 18-06-2009)
Priest-in-Charge An update on the Vacancy
An interview has taken place for the post of Priest-in-Charge of St. John-in-Bedwardine. More will be able to be announced in July.
(Fri 22-05-2009)
Plant Sale & Coffee Morning (with other stalls)
This year's Plant Sale raised a fantastic £696. Thank you to everyone that came and bought!
(Thursday 21-05-2009)
Parish Profile
The document which describes our Parish, prepared as part of the process of finding a new Priest-in-Charge has been put online. See the links or visit www.achurchnearyou.com/document/2009-03-27_4085_1238190850 and www.achurchnearyou.com/document/2009-03-27_4085_12381908593 (click on the addresses to open the document).
The Parish Profile document has been split into two sections (the reason for the two links) due to the size of the document.
(Fri 27-03-2009)
Change of Date - Bell Tower Restoration Appeal Launch
Please note that the date of the public launch is now Saturday 25th April 2009.
(Fri 13-03-2009)
Bell Tower Restoration Appeal - Latest
The public launch of the Appeal is being planned for Saturday 25th April 2009. If you would like to help in any way with the Appeal, or to make a donation to the Appeal, please contact one of the Churchwardens before this date or speak to one of the 'Fundraising Committee' at the launch.
The Appeal aims to raise £200,000.
(Tues 03-03-2009)(Updated Fri 13-03-2009)
Bell Tower Restoration Appeal
We are beginning to plan the "Public Appeal" to raise money for the repair of the bell tower. Do you have, or do you know anyone who has, experience or expertise that could provide us with much appreciated guidance? If so, please contact one of the Churchwardens.
(If you are reading this via the church's website please see the 'Contact Us' link. If you are viewing this via www.achurchnearyou.com, please go back to the main page and click the "Send an email" button near the bottom of the page).
(Mon 09-02-2009)
St. John's in the News
The Worcester Standard ran an article about our newly updated website. If you missed the article, go to http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/news67954.html
(Fri 06-02-2009)
Parish Magazine
The February Parish Magazine is now on sale in Church and Distributors' bundles are available to pick up too.
(Thurs 29-01-2009)
Bulb planting
It is hoped that the remaining flower bulbs will be planted this coming Saturday morning (31st January 2009), in the Churchyard. All help will be much appreciated.
(Sun 25-01-2009)
Updated Website
The Church's main website has now been updated. To have a look visit www.stjohninbedwardine.co.uk
(Tues 20-01-2009)
School Visits
Pupils in Year 8, from Christopher Whitehead Language College will be visiting the Church at various times throughout the week as part of their RE (Religious Education) lessons.
(Tues 20-01-2009)
Decorated Church
The Church is being decorated for Christmas this weekend. The Tree is already up and the Church will look beautiful with the Nativity scene and flowers. Why not come and have a look either during the week or at one of our services?
(2008-12-18 Thurs)
Church Fayre
Thank you to all of those people that came and spent money at the Fayre last Saturday! Over £1300 was raised for Church funds.
(2008-11-27 Thurs)
Everyclick - Total exceeds £200!
The total amount raised by those using the internet search engine www.everyclick.com and supporting our church, has now exceeded £200!!!
(2008-11-25 Tues)
New Vicar? An update on the Clergy Vacancy
The Archdeacon and the Rural Dean have agreed to start the recruitment process, in January, for a Priest-in-Charge for St. John-in-Bedwardine Parish Church. The appointment will be intially for 3 years with a review after the second year.
(2008-11-19 Wed - Sorry, I forgot to add this sooner!)
Back-to-Church Sunday
A number of people joined us for the 10 a.m. Parish Communion.
(2008-09-28 Sun)
UPDATE about the tower (which has been found to be home to Deathwatch beetle).
As reported in the latest (September) Parish Magazine, the work that needs to be done on the tower is a much larger job than first anticipated and therefore likely to be more costly than first thought.
(2008-08-31 Sun)
We are now officially in 'interregnum'. Rev'd Chris Pullin will be installed as the Canon Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral on 14th September 2008.
(2008-08-17 Sun)
Unfortunately, bell-ringing will not be able to take place at the church for some time because the work that needs to be undertaken is more complex than it was first thought.
(2008-04-11 Fri)
The Vicar announced that he will be leaving St. John's later this year, to take up a post at Hereford Cathedral. He is to become the Canon Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral.
(2008-02-25 Mon)
Using the internet search engine Everyclick, over the last five months, has raised over £110 for St. John's Church. Keep searching!
To start searching, click the following link: www.everyclick.com/stjohninbedwardineparishchurch/
(2008-02-25 Mon)
Carlo Curley has been booked to return to St. John's in 2009 (NB the year!). A screen has also been booked so that the audience can watch him at work!
Keep your diaries free for Friday, 12th June 2009!!!
More information to follow.
(2008-01-22 Tues)
