The Right Reverend Norman Banks, the Bishop of Richborough led the Mass of Rededication in front of a full church that included many local Priests who joined in concelebration of the Mass. The Archdeacon of Totnes , the Ven Douglas Dettmer was there and spoke of the new life that the refurbishment had brought to St John's. Other guests included the Headteacher from our church school, St Catherine's, Heathfield, and the Earl of Devon, Lord Charles Courtenay who is both a name sake of and fourth great grand nephew of St John's founder Canon Charles Courtenay. Both Headteacher Vicky McCaig and Lord Courtenay read lessons during the Mass. But the church was mostly filled with the servers, friends, members of the congregation, crafts people who worked on the church and the PCC members and Churchwardens of both St John's and local churches.It was a wonderful celebration that was followed by a celebratory buffet and drinks in Wickham Hall, our church hall that is next in line for refurishment!
Starting with the sunlight shining through the East window the sunlight moves across the south side of the church. The colours, patterns and images from the church windows are, one by one, cast into the chancel and nave illuminating floor, sills, benches, font, arch and pillars. In turn each is washed over with colour until the evening when the sun coming through the newly uncovered West window bathes the north aisle pillars and wall in the watery light of the late afternoon and early evening.To experience this is to feel that the most beautiful of clocks is silently ticking through the day in front of you. Pick your time to visit well, and revisit until all the hours have been seen. It is a unique way of experiencing the passing of time. A place of times when the veil between the everyday and the Mystery is very thin.
There are regular Mass services on Sundays at 9.15 am. There are also Said Mass services on Tuesdays at 10 am. Morning Prayer is held in St John's at 9 am before Mass on Tuesday. On the third Tuesday of each month there is a Guild of All Souls Requiem Mass at 10 am in St John's.Services are held for all of the main Holy Days across the Church year.
