Coffee, Chat and CommunityFollowing our “Stepping into the Future” meeting, lots of people expressed an interest in hosting coffee morning (or afternoon) gatherings with a specific focus e.g a beetle drive, playing board games, or music events. If you feel you could help with this sort of gathering, there will be a meeting after the morning service on Sunday 26th November to plansome dates and times for next year, hopefully. If you are interested but unable to attend, please speak to Reverend Debra. The idea is that these gatherings will be open to the wider community – and the more people willing to help, the better.The Advent EventMake a date now for our Advent Event, in church on Thursday 14th December at 7.30pm. It’s an evening of readings, reflection and singing, on the theme “Follow the Star – Join the Song”, led by our three home group leaders.The Shoebox AppealThe ‘Shoebox Appeal’ to send Christmas gifts to needy children in many countries is operating again this year: please contact Rev Rodney Green ffurther information. Specially made DIY boxes are available in church along with a list of what you can include (and what NOT to put in), and completed boxes should be returned by Sunday 12th November.Please note . . .Thursday Holy Communion services are to be held at St. John’s at 10.30am on 16th and 30th November (and 7th December), and at St. Michael’s Flixton at 10.15am on 9th and 23rd November.A “Service of Remembrance for Lives Cut Short” is at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday 9th November at 7.30pm. Poems, prayers, readings, music, and songs are chosen and voiced by people who have experienced bereavement through homicide. More information on 07757 411 377 or email st.gab.prest@gmail.comSunday 12th November is Remembrance Sunday and we shall observe the customary two minutes’ silence in memory of those who died in war, during our 10.30am service in church.The North Trafford Mission Community prayer gathering for November is at All Saints on Tuesday 14th November, at 2pm. It’s a time to gather with our sisters and brothers from other churches and pray for them and for our community.Urmston Choral Society’s Christmas Concert is at St John’s on Saturday 2nd December, from 2.30pm. Tickets priced £8 (£2 for students or children) are available from Maxine Summers, tel. 07961 121 637 (or leave a message on 0161 748 0903).Our “Messy Christingle” will be held on Sunday 10th December, from 2.30 to 4pm.Our Carols by Candlelight service, jointly with Flixton Fellowship Church, is on Sunday 17th December, at 6.30pm.The St. John’s afternoon football project recommenced on Sunday, 10th September and will operate most Sunday afternoons. This is suitable for girls and boys aged 6 to 11 years.NEW FACEBOOK PAGESt. John’s in Flixton now has a new Facebook page – search St. John’s Flixton for regular Facebook updates on events and activities taking place in church. Please “like” the page and encourage neighbours, family and friends to do the same to help us grow our followers.ST. JOHN’S WEBSITESt. John’s Church has it’s own website – www.stjohnsflixton.org.uk – which gives latest news and comprehensive information about life at St. John’s and links to many community and spiritual organisations.
'The J C Squad' is the new name for our Sunday School, and it's running again this term at 10.30am, on a similar basis to the sessions we've had before, with the children and their leaders in the main church hall and Covid precautions in place.Children can rejoin their parents in church at the end of the main service and often share with the whole congregation something of what they've been doing that day.
Here's what to expect when you come to services at St John's:1. Our Sunday morning services are open to all, but we don't pass collection plates - instead there are bowls for those who wish to make their financial contribution by cash or in envelopes (but please remember there are alternative ways of giving, too).2. We are sharing Holy Communion together, receiving a wafer with the option of receiving it after it's dipped in the wine by a minister, or of receiving a wafer and then sharing the chalice in the traditional way. You don't have to receive anything if you don't want to.3. Please remember that anyone with any sign of Covid symptoms, who is waiting for a Covid test result or has tested positive, or who lives or 'bubbles' with someone in those categories, should be self-isolating.4. There are two small tables at the back, with chairs, for families who want to let smaller children do colouring or anything else that they can bring with them to occupy them during the service (but no food, please!). 5. There are after-church refreshments in the church hall for those who wish to go there.
