Sunday Service from St John's - 25th October
Our service from Sunday 25th October is now available to watch or listen again. You can go direct to St John's YouTube channel and find the latest video.
Alternatively, please go to the Sermon Recordings page for an audio recording of the sermon plus a link to the video of the whole service. It may take a few days for these to appear.
If you subscribe to St John's podcast, you will receive the audio recording as soon as it is published.
Craft for Sunday’s service
This Sunday there will be an activity available in church for children to do during the service. To complete the activity you will need to bring your own:
- colouring pencils
- pen
You may also like to bring something to lean on while you are doing the colouring and writing.
For children at home, you can print out this template onto white paper (or copy it if you're unable to print). You will also need the list of items above.
St John's and Christ Church Annual General Meeting 2020
The delayed Annual Parochial Church Meeting and the Meeting for Election of Churchwardens will be held on Thursday 29th October 2020 at 8pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held online.
Details of how to access the meeting will be included in St John's notice sheet on Friday 23rd October. If you do not receive the weekly notice sheet by email, please contact the Church Office either to be added to the mailing list or to request the meeting details.
Business includes the election of lay representatives to the PCC. Nomination forms are available from the PCC Secretary via the Church Office.
The Annual Report for 2019 and minutes of the 2019 AGM are available to download from the Members’ Area of St John's website, there is a direct link to the files when you login. The agenda will be added shortly. Paper copies will not be available this year.
Working Party - Saturday 7th November
On Saturday 7th November, we’re planning our annual working party to clear up the churchyard in advance of Remembrance Sunday. We’ll meet from 9.00am to approx. 12.30pm and our aims, depending on the number of volunteers, are:
- Clearing leaves from the paths and grass around the churchyard;
- Picking up litter;
- Weeding, tidying and hedge trimming, especially around the Gardens of Remembrance;
- Clearing gutters and drains;
- Other external maintenance tasks, including light bulb changing, clipping some wiring and many other miscellaneous jobs.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will have to observe social distancing, we won't be able to gather in groups of more than 6 and we won't be able to move from group to group. There is plenty of space in the churchyard and all tasks are suited to people working independently or in groups of two or three. Whilst a mask is not compulsory outdoors, please bring one in case of close working or simply if you feel more comfortable wearing one.
If you prefer not to come to a working party but would like to help during the week, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for job suggestions.
Everyone is very welcome to join in! It's a great way to serve and a great way to get to know people. Please bring a brush and gloves, plus any other tools that may be useful. We have a leaf blower available.
Born in 2020
We have recently started a new group for first time parents of babies born during 2020.
The group meets in the Church Centre on Friday mornings, in term time, from 10am until 11am.
If you know a first time parent who you think would benefit from "meeting" with other local first time parents, please ask them to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
Restarting Sunday Services
We have restarted services in St John's church building with limited numbers.
There will be just one service initially - an All Age Service at 10am. The service will be around 45 minutes long. Everyone is welcome but, due to social distancing requirements, space is limited. There is currently no requirement to book in advance, but we will keep this under review. The service will continue to be live-streamed on our YouTube channel, including the chance to chat and say hello.
New! If you have downloaded the NHS COVID-19 Contact Tracing App, you can scan our QR code (on the track and trace desk). If not, you will have to complete a track and trace form - ideally please download it and complete it in advance. The form is available in Word format or PDF format. Paper copies will be available in church too if needed.
The Welcome Team will meet you with a friendly greeting and help you through the process. Please remember that the COVID-19 restrictions give them little flexibility, for example you will not be able to choose your normal seat!
Everyone must wear a mask throughout the service if they are aged 11 or over.
New! Remember the Rule of 6 before and after the service. You must not gather in groups to chat.
Please watch the video below for details of the measures we have put in place in order to keep everyone safe. You can view the church layout in this document.
Church Giving
Many people make their gifts to church via standing order, however, those who would normally use envelopes or put their offerings on the plate in church are not able to give in this way at the moment.
If that is how you would normally give, please consider setting up a transfer directly to the church’s bank account instead. The details are:
- Sort code: 05-06-34
- Account number: 52275551
- Account name: The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist
As an alternative, we are able to take card payments over the phone. Please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if you are interested.
If you are able to Gift Aid your offering and haven't already completed a form, you can download one here.
