This Week’s Notices
Notices from Sunday 3 December 2023
Bible Verse for 2023
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
September to December Programme
For the Autumn Term Programme see here
First Priority Prayer Meeting
8pm on Monday 4 December. This month’s meeting is online only via Microsoft Teams (contact the Church Office for details).
24/7 Prayer – 3-10 December
We want to be praying during this week of Advent for many in our community to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus this Christmas. We’d love to have a continuous stream of prayer being offered 24 hours a day for the next week, so if you think you could cover one of the hours, please find a free slot and log it on the 24/7 prayer virtual room at the following link: https://signup.24-7prayer.com/signup/3529ee.
Opportunity to Serve
We would love to be able to offer some craft activities for children in the main church as part of the Egham Christmas Fair on 9 December, but we need someone to lead on this. We have the craft materials already ordered, we just need someone to help with set up, coordinating volunteers and re-setting the church at the end so it’s ready for a concert later that evening. Could you help with one or all these things? Please get in touch with the Church Office ASAP if you can. Thank you.
Open Church
This will be taking place 12.30-2.30pm on Wednesdays from the beginning of December.
The Bereavement Journey
A course for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way. Monday mornings 10am-12noon 15 January – 4 March 2024 in the Easter Centre. Please contact the Church Office for more details.
Be Creative
Be Creative will be concentrating on making Christmas decorations and cards at the Hope Hub, 11.30am-1.30pm, 1 November to 6 December.
Men’s Christmas Cake Competition
This is on the horizon, so get baking! The big day is Sunday 17 December (right after the Nativity Service). Awards for best traditional and best contemporary cakes.
Campus Strategy Group
The Campus Strategy Group’s focus is to ensure that our buildings are used to their full potential to the glory of God together with ensuring good governance. We are endeavouring to maximise the use of our Campus by our ministries, our Church family, the local community, charities and statutory and voluntary bodies, with the aim of everyone who uses our facilities experiencing St John’s as an expression of God’s love for them. Those on the Group are – Steve Cresswell, Esther, Chris and Carol Peters, Chris Gray, Joyce Johnson, Steve Jenkins and Lesley Pocock. Please let us know if you or people/organizations you are aware of might wish to use the Campus.
Staffing Update
Sue Gray will be starting in her new role as Pastoral Team Leader from 1 November. Sue will be working in this role 10am-4pm Mondays – Wednesdays and as CAP Debt Centre Manager 9am-5pm Thursdays and Fridays. You can contact Sue on sue.gray@stjohnsegham.com.
Advent Encounter
9am on Saturday 2 December in the Easter Centre. Sue Naudi will be speaking on ‘My Eyes Have Seen’. All ladies welcome. To book a place please click here.
Toy Service – 10.30am on Sunday 3 December
You are invited to bring a toy to give away to local children in need as well as children and young people at St Peter’s Hospital Children’s Ward. Colouring books, crafts, lego, playdough as well as toiletries and colouring books for teenagers are especially welcome.
Blue Christmas Memorial Service – 2.30pm on Sunday 3 December
A gentle service of remembrance and hope.
Christmas Day Lunch
Every year we host a free Christmas Day Lunch for those who would otherwise be on their own. Please click here or contact the Church Office to sign up. Please contact the Church Office if you would like to help with washing up, serving food and drink or chatting with guests.
Make a Difference, Make a Christmas Hamper
Imagine Christmas without presents, decorations or festive food. For many local people this is a reality. You can make a difference and bring a bit of sparkle into local homes by making a hamper, donating items or giving financially. For more details please pick up a flyer from the back of church. Hampers should be delivered before Thursday 14 December to The Besom, The Hut, Waspe Farm Car Park, Egham TW20 9LF. Call 01784 470387 for more details.
Holiday Club 2024
Next year’s Holiday Club will be 5-9 August 2024.
English Language Course
Did you know that our Thursday English Language Course is now split into three groups: Total beginners – they don’t have any English at all, neither do they know our alphabet, Elementary group and Intermediate/Advanced group. We currently have people from Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Poland, Columbia, Turkey and Brazil, plus Russia and Ukraine. Please pray for the Team led by Linda Matthews.
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.
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 Worriers 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 (September 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 free veggies and more. Let’s be kinder to our planet by keeping food waste down.
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.