News from a Church Warden’s Make up Bag! April 2012
By the time this magazine is published you will know that Fr Stephen’s institution has been temporarily postponed. I am told that a frozen shoulder is extremely painful. Please continue to keep Fr Stephen in your prayers. The provisional date now is Wednesday 13th June 2012. An interregnum period is never without unexpected happenings! Once...
Smoke from a Churchwarden’s Pipe – March 2012
So now we know that our new Vicar will be Fr. Stephen Leader and can look forward to his Installation on May 9th. Then, for us, the phrase “Take me to your leader” will have a whole new meaning beyond that commonly attributed to it. Researching this phrase, it is believed to have first been...
News from a Church Warden’s Make up Bag!
In the November magazine Roger wrote about change and Fr John’s departure. By the time you read this we will have finished interviewing for a new vicar and we will be looking forward to a new era in the life of St John’s. Your support and prayers have been invaluable during the interregnum period and...
St John’s Day Sermon – 27 Dec 2011
Edited version of Father Cortland’s Sermon on Tuesday 27 December 2011 – St John’s Day ‘God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.’ Words from the 1st Chapter of the First Letter of John. St John’s Day Sermon – edited version
Smoke from a Churchwarden’s pipe -Jan 2012
Some thoughts about Resolutions. Traditionally the “New Year” brings to mind resolutions for improving ones lifestyle or behaviour. Realistically many aspirations fall by the wayside, some resolutions are only talked about and not implemented, others may be made, but with the comforting thought that they won’t last long. Regrettably few achieve permanent results. What if...
Smoke from a Churchwarden’s Pipe
You may be wondering how we go about finding a new Vicar. Well I’ll do my best to explain a simplified version of what happens and at the same time advise you of our progress. Like most procedures in the Church of England there is a well documented and carefully thought out way of going...
Dedication Festival
Dedication Festival On Sunday 16 October we will gather again on the front lawn of the church, around the Foundation Stone to begin our Dedication Festival – celebrating 108 years of Parish life here. This year’s Festival will of course be a very special celebration for me, as it will be the last time I...
Smoke from a Churchwarden’s pipe
Autumn is a time of visible change in our surroundings, yellow, brown and red foliage is everywhere, and the nights are drawing in. However much the approach of winter may be regretted it is inevitable as the year draws to a close. Many people, more knowledgeable than I, have reflected on change. There are...
Farewell
Dear People of St John’s What a memorable experience our Dedication Festival weekend was this year! The International Supper on the Saturday evening was our largest ever, and the range of food truly remarkable. Thank you to all the members of the Parish who worked so hard to produce all those wonderful dishes from so...
Planting begins
VICAR’S LETTER Dear People of St John’s Planting begins: The first day of planting of the re-designed scheme for the gardens around the church begins on the afternoon of Saturday 6 August. The first two areas to be planted up are: the small area below the Foundation Stone at the east end of the church,...
After the Fête
Dear People of St John’s Now the Fête is over … There’s always something going on at St John’s! As I write this letter for July, the Fête is yet to happen. After the cold and wet spell we’ve been having, let’s hope the weather on 2 July is as kind to us as it...
The time has come
Dear People of St John’s The time has come … Having thought and prayed about it for some months, and taken advice from our Bishop, I have decided that the time has come for me to retire as Vicar of St John’s later this year. I made the announcement of this decision to the congregation...