Taizé: Please note, there is no Taizé service on 16th of August. The next one will be on Sunday 20th September.

The next Julian meeting will be on Thursday 20th August at 4.30pm. This meeting is a monthly opportunity to sit in silent prayer in church for thirty minutes.

Adult Baptisms - Sunday 23rd August at 12pm: Laurence, Mick and Pouran, who are quite longstanding members of the congregation, have now taken the decision to be baptised. Please stay behind and support them if you are able in the service that will take about 30 minutes. If you can’t stay behind please support them with your prayer.

Messy Church: we're back after our summer break! Join us on Saturday 5th September, 3-4.30 pm for food, activities, and crafts. All families are welcome, whether you're Messy Church regulars or are coming for the first time.

Training Session: Kate (Local Authority child protection) and Ed (Destitution casework) have offered to deliver a bespoke session for church staff, volunteers, stewards, group leaders, wardens and PCC Trustees. The session will:

• Provide practical guidance on managing confrontation and maintaining personal safety in the church context.
• Increase understanding of how mental ill-health, addiction, disability, social background and other factors may affect an individual's presentation and behaviour.
• Support the church's inclusive approach while maintaining appropriate boundaries and safety standards.
• Equip stewards and volunteers with strategies to respond confidently and appropriately to concerns.

As there is currently no diocesan provision covering this specific area, the session will be tailored to the needs of the community at St John’s.

This will take place on Saturday 5th September in church, starting at 10 - 11.30, with the option of repeating the session at a later date if required. There will be a sign up sheet at the back of church for those interested in attending.

Parish Office: Please note that Kathryn will be on annual leave w/c 7th & 14th September. If you have any notices for the Sundays affected, or other jobs to be done, please let her know before Wednesday 2nd September. Many thanks.