Notices – week beginning 18/05/08

Estcourt Primary. There will be a Year 5 children’s exhibition of artwork here on Wednesday (1.30-2.30), to which parents and others have been invited. If you’re free and would like to come, do join us. Many thanks to Doug Smelt for organizing this.

St John’s story. At our recent DCC, we agreed we’d tell our version of the St John’s story, and invite others to do the same. The idea is that we hand-write it (say two sides of A4), maybe add a photo or two, and have it all ready in scrap book format by the next DCC (July 28). Antoine is also happy to record your story, and to bring suitable sound equipment with him to Church. We’ve got a great story to tell, and one which others would be really interested to know about. So let’s do it!

Services in June. There’s going to be a change in our service pattern in June, as Ann, Ruthie & I need to be away at a family 60^th birthday party in Surrey on June 22^nd (4^th Sunday). The idea is to swap 4^th & 5^th Sundays in June so that Morning Worship is on the 4^th Sunday and Holy Communion/All Age Worship on the 5^th Sunday (29^th). Although I haven’t managed to speak to him about it yet, I understand that Nick Whetton (Prison Chaplain) can lead and preach at Morning Worship on 22^nd.

Banns of marriage today, for 3^rd time of asking. Paul Simon Skipworth of St James’, Sutton and Leanne Currie of this parish, and Paul Robert Taylor & Paula Davison (both of this parish).

Cleaning the Church. A reminder that the next date for Church cleaning is Saturday 7^th June (9.30 a.m.-12).

Confirmation. A reminder that Bethany Carter is to be confirmed on Sunday June 1^st at St Michaels, Marfleet Lane (just off Holderness Road). Time 6.30 p.m. Do come and support her.

Antoine is playing at the Reindeer again – on Sunday 8^th June (8.30-11). Let’s see if we can support him for at least some of the evening. It was great last time.

Explore Group meeting this Wednesday @ 7.30 p.m. at Peter & Jane’s house (109 Laburnum Avenue), doing a Bible study from Luke 12. Also a chance to catch up with how we’re getting on using Explore Bible Study notes.

DCC. Darren, Antoine & Nick were welcomed on as newly appointed members. Also, the following officers were appointed: vice-chair (Steve), covenant secretary (Steve), DCC secretary (Sharon), Electoral roll officer (Wiggy). Also Standing Committee – ex-officio +Wiggy & Nick. However, the post of treasurer is currently vacant.

Cross. The discussion we had at DCC can be summarized as follows. We decided to dispense with the non-uniform cross-piece (as originally proposed), keep the wider of the two vertical shafts as is, cut the other vertical shaft to a size suitable to form the new cross-piece, embed the cross-piece into the vertical to ensure uniformity and lightly clean throughout. We’re now waiting to hear back from Halls re a price. The result should look really good.

Phase 2. We had a meeting with Jonathan (architect) and Halls to discuss Phase 2 i.e. the present grass & bramble patch (south side). Various suggestions were made to get Jonathan’s plan within budget, and he is now working on a revised scheme. Once he’s ready, and we’re all agreed, I was told it’ll take Halls 3 weeks to get a team together, and 3 weeks to get the work done. End of July looks realistic. Then on to Phase 3!

Fairtrade. At DCC, we agreed we’d become a Fairtrade Church. This will involve using Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which you have responsibility, moving towards using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit, and promoting Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible. Wiggy will be our Fairtrade representative. More details to follow.

Next Sunday. Services Holy Communion (9.30), All Age Worship (10.30).