The Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call 2023 - Week 2

Week 2: The Croydon Episcopal Area

The Reigate Archdeaconry is the most rural part of the Diocese, but it is not exempt from the difficulties that affect the other Archdeaconries. Once again, we can see that worries about people having enough to eat, being able to heat their homes and provide for their families is a cause of mental health struggles and a lack of well-being. This week we are supporting the Whyteleafe Community Hub. Their food bank feeds more than 350 people each month. Food is delivered to people’s homes locally and in the surrounding area.

The community hub works hard to collect food surplus from the local area in order to prevent waste and the food is reallocated to local families. They offer a befriending service for the elderly, vulnerable and lonely, and volunteers are given appropriate training to link with those who would value someone to spend time with. Everything the hub does is for the benefit of bringing back the heart of the community. We hope that the Bishop’s Lent Call can help to provide funds to help them to further their work.

If you'd like to learn more or how to support these projects, please go to Lent Call resources

The Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call 2023 - Week 1

Week 1: The Diocese of Jerusalem

The Arab Episcopal Medical Centre, Ramallah, Palestine

The Diocese of Southwark has long links with the Diocese of Jerusalem and St George’s College, Jerusalem. On 20 January 2021 a formal partnership link, the Southwark - Jerusalem Covenant, was signed between the Diocese of Southwark and the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

For so many in the Diocese of Jerusalem life is very hard and very complicated. Travel is restricted for many Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and sometimes people cannot even travel in order to go to work. There is often not enough food and education and medical care can be difficult to access. Good mental health and well-being is very difficult to sustain in the Occupied Territories and elsewhere.

Travel restrictions are a daily reality for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and for thousands of families across the region, the charitable hospitals and community clinics of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem are the only healthcare options close to their homes. Serving some of the most vulnerable people in the world, these institutions welcome all patients regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay. Everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

To find out more please dowload the PDF about The Arab Episcopal Medical Centre,

Good Friday services 2023

St John's has an Easter Day service at 10am and a Maundy Thursday service at 8pm, but no services on Good Friday.

Why not see what our other Team Churches have to offer? Download Easter services information for:

• St Mary's, Caterham-on-the-Hill
• St Luke’s Church, Whyteleafe and St Peter & St Paul’s Church, Chaldon

Thank you message from Father Jerry and Mother Anne-Marie

To all our friends at St John's

We would like to say a very big thank you to you all for making our last Sunday at St John’s such a wonderful and memorable occasion. It’s hard to leave after so many years, though of course we are also looking forward very much to new things. On our final Sunday it was good to share with so many friends including those from other parishes in the Caterham Group and even old friends from previous parishes. We both felt very much embraced by your love and warmth.

We would also like to thank you for your amazing generosity - we were overwhelmed by your many gifts and cards. We particularly loved the card from Junior Church. When we are down in Shoreham our door will always be open. And it’s good to think that every morning when we have our first cup of coffee we shall be reminded of you all.

Thank you again

With all our love
Father Jerry and Mother Anne-Marie

Sunday 12 February 2023 - a service and lunch to remember

It seemed like any other communion service, but this one was different. After over 2 decades service to the parish of Caterham, Father Jerry was taking his last service.

The differences started at the end of the service, with in church presentations from Junior Church and the Congregation.

Celebrations then switched to the church hall, with a magnificent cake, live bouzouki music, a very filling lunch, presents and much love and appreciation for Father Jerry and Mother Anne-Marie.

Jerry and Anne-Marie’s farewell Bring and Share lunch

The year 2000 brought a new millennium and Father Jerry and Mother Anne-Marie to St John's, Caterham. On Sunday 12th February 2023, Father Jerry will take his final service before retirement.

To celebrate over two decades of service to the people of this parish, there will be a Bring & Share Lunch after the morning service. Details are:

• St John's Church Hall, 12 noon for 12.30pm
• Bring food with an international flavour e.g. from your country of birth or that you enjoy visiting
• Main course or desert that can be easily served. Food to be precooked
• Label food: country and information about food
• When preparing the food please ensure you have clean hands and surfaces
• Bring your own drink and glasses
• Wear traditional clothing (if you wish)

Please join us for Father Jerry's final service and contact us to indicate what you are bringing to the B&S lunch. A Bring & Share Lunch poster is available to download.

Patience by Gilbert and Sullivan

Patience

Utopians Unlimited

present a fund-raising staged production

Friday 3rd March 2023
7:30pm

St John's Church
Clareville Road
Caterham Valley

Tickets can be booked in advance for £10 each.

A PDF of the Patience poster is available to download.

Weekday mass for 1st week of January

Please note that as the feast of Epiphany falls on Friday this week there will be no service on Thursday 5th but there will be a mass on Friday 6th at 10am.

Fr Jerry's Silver Jubilee

On the 4th October Fr Jerry celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Mthr Anne-Marie celebrates her 19th anniversay on the same date.

We are celebrating with a sung mass at 7.30pm followed by refreshments at the back of church.

We are also delighted to be welcoming the Ven. Moira Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate, as our preacher.

All welcome.

The Queen's Platinum Jubliee

Queen’s fun hats made by local people will be on display throughout June.

The choir will sing a special anthem composed for the Royal School of Church Music with words and music by Thomas Hewitt-Jones based on the Queen’s speeches. It is called “In our service”. The organist John Woodhouse will play music for royalty at the church fair on June 25^th and there will be items from local schools. Why not come along and “have a go” on the magnificent organ?

 Bell-ringers all over the country will ring a quarter-peel in June.

More details on the website https://www.stjohnscaterham.org.uk/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stjohnscaterham.