News from St John’s June 2026

We have a lot going on in the town in June – a popular month for events. I am looking forward to attending the Raft Race – I am hopeful one year we might be able to have a church entry but I shall keep working on that! 21st June is the open gardens – we will be serving tea and coffee outside the church after our service from approx. 11.30am and will have a recycled flower display made by the children of Messy Church and Tuesday Tots – do come and say hello! On 28th June is our Patronal Festival – when we remember St John the Baptist who our church is named for.

Last month we were fortunate to receive a grant which has allowed us to redecorate the Ark (the church Hall on King William Street). The Ark is available for hire for parties and meetings – please contact [email protected] to find out availability or to book. It is a lovely, light space with good kitchen facilities.

Our regular events and services include:

Messy Church 1st Tuesday of the month. The next one is Tuesday 2nd June in the Ark – we are thinking all about creation and will be planting sunflowers, making recycled flowers for the Open Gardens, making bumble bees and sunflower biscuits! We finish with a song, story and some food. All are welcome – children must bring a grown up with them, 3.30 – 5pm.

Our next All Age service is in church on Sunday 7th June. We start at 9.30 with pastries, coffee and juice, the service starts at 10am and is a shorter, more informal service. All are welcome!

Every Tuesday during term time we have our Tuesday Tots 9.30 – 11am and every Thursday we have our Parish Pantry 9.30-11am – fill a bag with food for £4 no referral needed, both in the Ark.

Every Wednesday at 9.30 we have a short service of Morning Prayer in the church.

In the church we have just celebrated Pentecost – sometimes considered the birthday of the church. The church is of course the people as well as a beautiful building. I pray that our church here will be known as a place where we worship God, serve our community and share the love of Jesus. Amen. Revd Tracey