This Week’s Notices
Notices from Sunday 4 June 2023
Bible Verse for 2023
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
May – August Programme
For the Summer Term Programme see here
Leaving Gift for the Ellins
Our wonderful Curate, James, has completed his training. Great news for him. Sadly, for us, this means he, Emma, Elodie and Bertie will be leaving us this term. Their final Sunday is likely to be on 18 June. We would love to give them a financial gift as a small token of our appreciation for all they have given over the last 3 years. If you would like to make a contribution you may do so via the following link: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/9ab26bca-d926-4006-ae68-bd59e0b0a849 or in a marked envelope. Thank you.
Farewell Brunch for the Ellins
Sunday 18 June at 10am. Inspired by James’ amazing hospitality – we will gather between Services and say goodbye to James, Emma, Elodie and Bertie over a bacon sandwich.
Interns Mission Trip to Kenya
Joanna Starr and Maddy Jones are looking to raise £1,500 each to fund their Kenya Ministry Experience. They will be partnering with the Red Tribe Charity and working with the Maasai school, clinic and outer community to support local projects. If you would like to support them financially, please go to https://givealittle.co/campaigns/69261b1c-dd80-4c96-a5ba-a2cddf5d57d3.
Love Egham 2023 – 3-9 July
Please put Tuesday 4 July in your diaries for our Welcome and Worship Night. An opportunity to meet the Brazilian team, eat and worship together. To book your place please go to https://stjohnschurchegham.churchsuite.com/events/3fsk0ds0 or contact the Church Office if you do not have internet access.
Our Train Station Blessing is also back! We had so much fun giving out tea, coffee and pastries during our Love Egham week last year we have decided to do it for the whole week this year! If you would like to be on this team please do email grace@stjohnsegham.com.
PCC Update
Our new PCC met for the first time on Monday. We began with Holy Communion and commissioning by our Associate Vicar, Michael Callaghan. A wide-ranging agenda included the election of new Officers: Beth Tebboth as PCC Secretary, Lorna Jamison as Safeguarding Officer, Sara Holloway as Treasurer, Keith Malcouronne as Vice-Chair and Veronica Cresswell as Electoral Roll Officer.
The following Ministry Area Coordinators were also confirmed: Marketing & Communications – Will Bissett. Thanks to outgoing James Ellin for his work. Prayer – Debbie Benefield. Thanks to Will for serving as PCC Champion for Prayer and switching roles. Young People – Andrew Tebboth. Outreach – Steve Cresswell. Finance – Sara Holloway (as Treasurer). Thank you to Steve and Sara for continuing in role. Administration – Amin Deiry. Campus – Joyce Johnson. All Ministry Area Coordinators are also members of the Standing Committee.
Welcome Team Volunteers
We are aiming to rebuild the welcome teams to serve at all three of our Sunday Services. We are looking for people who will be the first friendly face that people will see upon arrival, making them feel comfortable and relaxed. The role also includes looking out for newcomers and informing them about ministries and weekly activities. If this sounds like something you would love to get involved in, please contact Judah at judah.garrison@stjohnsegham.com or the Church Office.
Refreshments after Services
We are happy to inform you that, along with refreshments after the 9am, there will now be regular refreshments after the 10.30 service. We are also looking for more volunteers to join these teams, including the 6pm service. If you are interested in serving refreshments at any of these services, please contact Judah at judah.garrison@stjohnsegham.com or contact the Church Office.
A Really Really Free Market – 11am-2pm on Saturday 10 June
In the Easter Centre and/or Churchyard, to help you pass your unwanted goods that are in good condition to another home or to share a skill.
Newcomer’s Lunch – Sunday 11 June
1pm in the Easter Centre. You are warmly invited if you have recently joined us or if you have joined any time since the Pandemic and are yet to attend a Newcomer’s lunch or if you simply want to find out more about what goes on at St John’s. Please sign up at https://stjohnschurchegham.churchsuite.com/events/irexywli or contact the Church Office.
Memorial Service – Sunday 11 June
2.30pm in Church with tea and cake served afterwards.
All welcome.
Repair Café and Bike Repair – Saturday 17 June
12noon – 3pm in the Caddey.
Litter Pick – Sunday 18 June
4-5.30pm. Meet at the Easter Centre. For more details go to https://stjohnsegham.com/2023/04/26/litter-pickup/ or contact the Church Office.
Summer Garden Party – Sunday 25 June
3pm-6pm in the church grounds alongside the Caddey. Included is the Riverside Jazz Trio. Madelief Jackson is putting together a team for catering and serving refreshments. Cake makers and volunteers to help on the day welcome. All donations towards the Easter Centre building costs.
A Short History of the Parish Church of St John’s Egham
This book, written by Phil Darby, is being launched on Magna Carta Day Saturday 17 June. The book tells the story of events and activities that happened from the origins of St John’s up to the present. More information will follow. If you would like to pre-order a copy please speak to Phil.
Sponsored Fishing – Saturday 10 June
David Hassan will be fishing for 8 hours. He would like to raise money to go towards the Easter Centre building costs. If you would like to support him, please use this link https://givealittle.co/campaigns/d4837391-782c-4693-aac3-cc432c12542f or contact Phil Darby or the Church Office.
The Climate-friendly Heat Project
St John’s Church is investigating climate-friendly ways to heat our buildings
What’s Happening?
The church commissioned a survey from a sustainable heating expert to help us understand whether we can find a more climate-friendly way to heat our buildings. The survey found that an air-source heat pump looks like a viable option for the church building, and we are continuing the investigation by requesting designs from potential installers.
Why?
“We believe that responding to the climate crisis is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world.”
— The Church of England[1]
“There is unequivocal evidence that Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate. Human activity is the principal cause.”
— climate.nasa.gov/evidence
“To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and
sustain and renew the life of the earth — One of the 5 Marks of Mission (adopted by the General Synod of Church of England in 1996[2])
We’ve an opportunity to be part of the mission of safeguarding our world, by changing our behaviour to reduce our impact. One of the biggest sources of carbon emission from our buildings is burning gas to heat them. By seeking a climate-friendly solution, we aim to use renewable sources for our energy to enable mission and ministry to flourish in Egham and beyond!
What can you do?
- PRAY and ACT (make decisions about your own energy consumption)
- Tell us what you think – such a project would cost us an initial investment; what do you think about the church potentially making a choice to do this?
Join the team looking into Net-Zero by 2030 via clem.jones@stjohnsegham.com
[1] https://www.churchofengland.org/about/church-england-environment-programme
[2] https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/MTAG%20The%205%20Marks%20Of%20Mission.pdf
Church Picnic (bring your own)
After the 10.30am service on Sunday 4 June. All welcome.
Campus Administrator
We are pleased to let you know that Steve Jenkins has started in the role of part-time Campus Administrator. Steve will normally be working Monday mornings, Tuesday afternoons, Thursday mornings and Friday mornings and will be based in the Church Office. For booking enquiries please contact him via the Church Office email address or phone number.
Eco Sewing Workshop – postponed
This will now be taking place 11am-2pm on Saturday 1 July in the Easter Centre. Using preloved clothes and towels, we’ll make a mug hug (a little coat for your hot cuppa), make up remover wipes, pot holder, shoppers or gift bags. Learn, or top up your sewing machine skills and lets talk about upcycling and repairing our clothes. Bring your own lunch and enjoy! No charge but donations much appreciated.
Hardship and Wellbeing Fund
The fund decided to concentrate their efforts on helping people in various ways with the increase in the cost of living, especially through this winter. Here is a list of some of the ways the fund has been spent so far: a blanket and hot water bottle were added to each of the hampers that we gave out at Christmas: £5000 of vouchers have been purchased and are being distributed as required; Tea Time Together is being supported and a number of individual grants have been given out. Here are some of the replies we’ve received: ‘thank you so much, that is lovely, much appreciated, it is so kind, thank you to all xxx’; ‘thank you so much, God bless’; ‘thank you so much, please pass on our thanks’; ‘thank you so much, can’t thank you enough’; ‘really appreciate your help. This will really help us’. We’ve seen tears of joy and big smiling faces. Thank you so much to all have donated so far to this fund which has enabled us to do this. If you or anyone you know would benefit from some financial support please contact the team at hardship@stjohnsegham.com.
Tea Time Together
Do you know of any families who are struggling with the cost of living? Then why not invite them for a free meal 4-5.30pm every 1st and 3rd Wednesday. A warm welcome awaits!
For more information email teatime@stjohnsegham.com.
Justice Worriors Podcasts
Did you know that St John’s has a podcast run by 3 of our members?
It’s called Justice Worriers. If you don’t yet listen, why not download a recent episode? Available wherever you get your podcasts. “What are your worries?” We invite listeners new and old to come along and join the conversation. What are your worries about justice and life as a Christian? Contact Andy Balaam or the Church Office for more information.
Runnymede Foodbank
See here for what Runnymede Foodbank really needs this month (June 2023).
Community Fridge for Egham
Every Saturday 11am-1pm in the Caddey (at the back of the church car park). Come and pick up some veggies and more. Let’s be kinder to our planet by keeping food waste down.
Church Grounds Working Party – Saturday 24 June
The next working party will take place on Saturday 24 June, 9.30am-12noon in the Churchyard. All welcome.
Baptism dates for 2023
These are 25 June and 19 November. To find out more contact Esther or the Church Office.
The Prayer Room is open and available to use
Please do come along and pop in to pray in this special and comfortable space during our Easter Centre opening hours.
Weekly communications for the Church Family
Please contact the Church Office if you would like to receive the weekly church newsletter by email or Esther’s weekly email.
Recycling for Good Causes
We have signed up with Recycling For Good Causes who offer “cash for our trash”. We will get 75% of what they can get from the following.
Jewellery; including broken chains, odd earrings, costume jewellery and in all materials.
Gadgets; Sat Navs, games consoles and games, cameras/video cameras, mobile phones, iPods, MP3 players and of any age and condition.
Currency; Any country and any age including pre-euro notes and coins
All our recycling for cash items (including ink cartridges) can be dropped off at the Community Fridge on a Saturday morning at the Caddey 11am to 2pm. Otherwise you can contact Phil Darby.
Fundraising Activities and Events
If you would like to be kept up to date about activities and events in aid of reducing the Easter Centre buildings costs then please email Phil Darby at fundraisingfortheeastercentre@stjohnsegham.com to receive a monthly newsletter.
Recycling Used ink cartridges
Phil Darby is now collecting used / unused ink cartridges to recycle with all profits going to the Easter Centre. Please contact Phil or the Church Office for further information.