As we step into the month of June there is a real sense of spring turning into summer- this year my flipflops are out very early! So as always I have bought a car boot full of little plants, full of misplaced confidence in my gardening ability, but inspired by the beauty and optimism of the natural world around me. At the moment the hawthorn is looking particularly stunning laden with blossom- the new growth and the warmer days promises a time of renewal. Just as nature reaches peak growing season, the season of Pentecost offers us its own renewal and promise of growth. Pentecost is the great feast of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that God’s presence isn’t just for Sundays, feast days or to be found in church, it’s the fire that ignites hearts, a wind that stirs life into dry bones and a warmth that makes things new. On that first Pentecost the disciples, once fearful and uncertain, were transformed by the Spirit’s power. Their courage swelled and their lives became a living testament to God’s love. So in June we are also invited to embrace transformation, just like my tiny plants who stretch to the sun to receive life, we are called to lean towards the Spirit. This is a season of growth for us all- Pentecost asks us to stir into life, embrace the gifts and talents we have been given and consider how our lives can also become that living testament to God’s love. We’ll see some of the talents in our community at the forthcoming Midsummer Piano, Pimms and Poetry Afternoon tea- everyone is welcome on 21st June at 2pm- [email protected]. This promises to be a very special event- what a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Services in June are as usual, with, we hope, something for everybody throughout the month- hope to see you all soon. -Kindly penned by our marvellous Children's Minister and Worship Leader -Carol-Ann to edit. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” — Ephesians 6:7
In May, we said a heartfelt thank you and farewell to our beloved Rosemary, who is has stepped down as Churchwarden, we are now looking for someone to take up the role. Could it be you? It’s a rewarding way to contribute to the life of St John’s, grow in your faith, and be part of a truly supportive and joyful team. No one walks this path alone — we’re in it together. At our Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting we also said farewell to Ruth who has retired from the council after many years and Nicky who is handing over the reigns as Safeguarding Officer. We’re welcoming new members to our Parochial Church Council (PCC) — ideal for those who care deeply about the future of our church and want to be part of shaping it. This might be the moment to step forward and say, “Yes, I’m in!” We're very excited to welcome Jane to the Parochial Church Council. Sharon has joined Jean to serve on the Deanery Synod. Thank you so very much to both Jane and Sharon, we are so excited to have your help in taking St John’s forward. While we continue praying for the appointment of a new priest, we’re incredibly thankful for the dedication and warmth of our current ministry team — Reader Ruth, Ordinand Juliet, Lay Worship Minister Carol-Ann, visiting clergy, and of course Rev’d Chris from The Holy Innocents. If you’d like a chat, Juliet is available in church on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or you can contact her by email at [email protected]. You’ll also find Tony in church every Monday at 9:30am, always happy to talk or answer questions. We encourage everyone to take part in this season of energy, hope, and service — let’s move forward together in faith, with full hearts and open hands. You can also support St John’s with zero fuss by using Easy Fundraising when you shop online: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/sjcs/ Here’s to a month of fresh beginnings, shared purpose, and joyful action!
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Some of you might know that our fabulous congregation member, Deborah, is a talented and thought provoking writer. Se writes under her birth name Deborah Sheppard.
We are so pleased to share a poem from her, penned on the last day of her first retreat to Iona. Arriving in the Leaving You arrived with an idea of Iona. You giddied the week into being - the latest release: ‘Twelve Women Retreat to an Island’ …cinematic outtakes: women, holding, sharing - mingling minds. You left with a reel of real. She can have this effect. … Iona I mean. She leaves you reeling in the realing. She knows the script of your Soul and is not afraid to leave you alone with yourSelf. She uses true mirrors to good effect. We arrive wanting; solitude is part of this course - but, This is ‘The Lone’ in aloneness. You’re playing a part that maybe you’d prefer to be scattered cuttings on the floor in the final cut; you discover that the riches are in the subplot. …The woman connection goes deep… as always. We find that inner longing is unanswered but captured. And, as you write this solitary piece looking over the sound to Mull, The Iona Max Screen is playing ‘A Flock of Geese’ forming the V: the invisible Unspoken. Their versus is held in belonging and they don’t need to honk about it In the busyness of life, it can be hard to find time to sit in stillness long enough to hear what God has to say. With the incessant pinging of phone notifications, partners, children, and pets all vying for our attention, the tv blaring in the background, life can be busy, noisy and fast paced.
I hadn’t fully realised this until Holy Week when I attended a Maundy Thursday vigil and got to sit in silence for hours, away from the distractions of life. It was then that I realised that far from God ignoring me, I was struggling to hear him amongst the noise of everyday life. My head had been so full of endless lists, worries and angst that I’d effectively blocked God out. When I sat in silence, minus my phone, in the semi darkness I started to feel my whole body settle. It was like I’d taken a much-needed deep exhale. At first my mind chattered, then slowly as the hours passed the chattering stopped. Silence came. Then peace. Absolute peace. I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever felt that level of closeness to God, nor the same level of calmness. It was as if my body had simply reset itself to how it was intended to be. How do we find time to be still when life is so incredibly hectic? Author James Clear suggested in his book “ Atomic habits’’ that we are wise to anchor new habits onto our existing rituals, so taking a little time on a morning, doing something like mindfully drinking tea in the garden, or having that first few minutes of our day in silent contemplation (if that’s possible for you) can really help. Having a solitary walk somewhere beautiful is another good way of reconnecting with God. Your body is doing its own thing, and your mind can then start to unwind a little. As you look around you, you are likely to notice all the little glimmers of hope – the blossom on the trees, the cheeping of birds, the light shining through the trees, the scent of a fragrant herb. This is a great way of reminding ourselves that God is all around us, wherever we are. Our Wonderful Caroline, who you’ll know from her many different St John’s hats, received in April (after many, many years) her Tertiary Cross, being admitted to The Order of the Holy Paraclete. The Tertiary Order of the Holy Paraclete (TOHP) invites individuals to embrace a Christian sacred rhythm of life, intertwining daily existence with the divine presence. Rooted in the Anglican tradition and inspired by the Holy Spirit—the Paraclete—this path offers a harmonious blend of contemplation and action. A Sacred Calling Tertiaries are lay individuals—women and men—who feel drawn to live out their Christian faith deeply connected to the Order of the Holy Paraclete. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they commit to a Rule of Life that nurtures spiritual growth within their everyday lives. ![]() The Order of the Holy Paraclete Founded over a century ago, the Order is a female Anglican religious community based at St Hilda’s Priory in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Inspired by the Benedictine tradition, St Hilda, and the Northern Saints, the Sisters live and work together, both at the Priory and in community settings in the UK and in Africa. Journeying Through the Stages
Communal Harmony Tertiaries gather regularly, both in person and via Zoom, participating in quiet days, talks, joint worship, and study sessions. Annual Chapter meetings at the Priory in Whitby offer opportunities for collective worship and fellowship. Conferences and retreats are held every three years, fostering deeper spiritual connections. Spiritual Resources Members receive the Rule of Life, a commentary on the Rule, and a Midday Prayer and Compline booklet. Regular mailings include a daily prayer diary, the Warden’s letter, and news updates, nurturing a continuous spiritual journey. 01947 899560 [email protected]
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