Eco tip
If you have planted any brassicas – cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, sprouts, kale, turnips, etc. – make sure they are netted, as cabbage white butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves and the caterpillars eat them, sometimes destroying the plant. And remember to keep your eyes on plants needing water over the summer weeks when it’s hot and dry!
All-Age services
Thank you to everyone who completed a form relating to the All-Age services. The team will now review and analyse the responses over the summer and we’ll provide an update in the autumn.
A welcome to Rev Huw
On Sunday July 13th, when a number of us (including all the ministry team), are away at Scargill House for our church weekend, Rev Huw Thomas from St Michael’s Flixton is our guest celebrant and preacher at the 10.30am Holy Communion service. Please give him a warm welcome and make him feel at home, as he has not joined us for a Sunday service at St John’s for a while.
Everybody in for summer worship
Our worship during summer continues, of course, on Sundays and alternate Thursdays. During August we have a Family Communion service on Sunday mornings at 10.30am – it’s not very different from usual, but slightly shorter than the normal format and with children and young people staying in for the whole service.
Try the new ‘Taste and See’!
“Taste and See”, the Christian book and gift shop and café near St John’s, closed on Monday 30th June. But the team there have arranged a move to no. 42 Brook Road – next door to “The Gallery” (as we have known the exhibit and refreshment venue there) – and they’re re-opening on Monday 28th July. Please go along, take a look, and do continue to support them. We are so blessed to have this wonderful establishment in our area, as Christian bookshops are quite rare today. Summer sociability
Our Coffee, Tea and Chat social afternoons continue throughout the summer
– that means on Tuesday 1st July, Tuesday 5th August and Tuesday 2nd September – from 2pm to 3.30pm in the church. Do come along, and if you have friends or family staying, bring them along, too. Everyone is welcome. If you’re looking after children, we can find games and toys for them. September Work Day
Our autumn Work Day is on Saturday 20th September, gathering at church around 10am. Please put the date in your diary: there are always plenty of jobs to do inside and outside our buildings.
The new Area Dean
The Area Dean post for Stretford and South Manchester (Rev Nick Watson's role until recently) was recently re-advertised and interviews held. Please pray now for the person who will come to take up this important role in church life in this part of Manchester. Is God calling you to lend a hand? Over the summer please also consider whether God is calling you into any new service within the church. There are lots of opportunities – flower arranging, singing, reading in a service, helping with refreshments, working with the JC Squad, joining our handbell team, etc. Pray and see where God may be directing you, and speak to Rev Debra, Rev Rodney or one of the churchwardens if you feel you can help in any area.
Please note . . .
Thursday Holy Communion services are to be held at St. John’s at 10.30am on 3 rd, 17th and 31st July, on 7th and 21st August, and on 4 th September, and at St Michael’s Flixton at 10.15am on 10 th and 24 th July, and on 14th and 28th August.
On Sunday 6th July, after morning service, there’s a meeting to plan the rota for the JC Squad from September to December. Could all leaders and helpers please attend or, if unable to be there, let Reverend Debra know your availability? New helpers are always welcome!
During the summer, our JC Squad and the housegroups will be taking a break. Both will resume from mid-September: watch out for dates to be announced.
Urmston Choral Society’s next Concert at St John’s is on Saturday 6th September, from 2.30pm. Tickets priced £10 (£2 for students or children) are available from Maxine Summers, text 07961 121 637 (or tel. 0161 748 0903). Please book in advance if possible, although you can always pay at the door.
FACEBOOK PAGE
St. John’s in Flixton has a Facebook page – search St. John’s Flixton for regular Facebook updates on events and activities taking place in church. Please “like” the page and encourage neighbours, family and friends to do the same to help us grow our followers.
Licensing of Rev Debra Blair as Incumbent of St John's
The Rev Debra Blair was licensed as the Incumbent of St John's Flixton on Sunday 23rd October 2022, in a service at St John's led by the Bishop of Middleton, the Rt. Rev. Mark Davies, and the Archdeacon of Manchester, the Ven. Karen Lund. Guests were welcomed from both our parish and the wider church in our area for this special celebration of a new phase of ministry.
Join the JC Squad!
'The J C Squad' is the new name for our Sunday School, and it runs at 10.30am during morning service. Children rejoin their parents in church at the end of the main service and often share with the whole congregation something of what they've been doing that day.