Rogation Sunday 14 May 2023 - Beating the bounds

Rogation Sunday – traditionally this is when we ask for God’s protection of the agriculture industry, livestock, and crops. The tradition involves walking the boundaries of the parish – which is called “beating the bounds” – praying and asking for God‘s blessing for the well-being of that particular community.

The walkers from St John's were following a carefully planned route starting with the ascent of Church Hill, then south along the valley to Caterham School.

Striking south again, the party made our way via a muddy path to the View Point where lunch was taken and supplied, very kindly, to one foolish person who was ill prepared for the journey.

Heading east along the North Downs Way, a boundary marker was found and duly given a small beating. Crossing the A22 was complicated by having to give way to the runners heading in the opposite direction.

Climbing back up onto the downs was a testing time, though much mutual encouragement was given. Our sixth prayer location was deep in bucolic uplands and was followed by a respectful passage through a large herd of cows (or bulls with udders).

It was all downhill to the Wasp Lodge roundabout, thankfully, and after a trek along Stafford Road, it just remained to pray in front of the north entrance porch of the church.

St John's gains the Eco Church Bronze Award

'Thank you for your application for a Bronze Eco Church Award.

I have checked your survey scores and am delighted to confirm your award. Well done to everyone involved in reaching this milestone!'

Eco Church

St John's Coronation reflection service

St John's service on the 7 May 2023 felt to me like the perfect reflection of the previous day's events.

An expectant congregation gathered and were not disappointed by the familiar, by the unique and by the message. The church was resplendent in red, white and blue, the refreshments were very welcome (nice bit of bubbly) and the cakes delicious.

Rev Catherine Dawkins led the service magnificently and we're very grateful to her.

There is an air of new beginnings around St John's.

A flavour of the service is available in the video 6 minute St John's Coronation reflection service.

Tandridge Together Lottery

St. John the Evangelist Church, Caterham Valley provides a welcoming, caring and inclusive space for the local community.

We need your help in making our Victorian Church accessible for all. The 1st Phase is to build a resin-bonded gravel path around the church wide enough for wheelchairs, with a level access into the church at the South door and hard standing at West door for vehicles to drop off for events in the church.

Thank you for your support and good luck!

Learn how to help!

Parish events over the Coronation weekend

St John's is planning to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with you.

On the morning of May 6th, the church bells will be rung from 9:45am to 10:15am, please listen out for this traditional heralding of an upcoming Coronation.

Our Sunday service on May 7th, starting at 10am will reflect the momentous events of the weekend. It is planned to sing the anthem that has been specially composed for the occasion and the national anthem during the Together@10 service.

Cake and bubbly will be dispensed at the back of church after the service. Please come and celebrate with us!

Munch with Music - May 2023

The next Munch with Music will be held in the church on 3rd May 2023 featuring INDIG+O. The group play Recorders, Violin, Double Bass, Mandolin, Bouzouki and Hurdy-Gurdy.

You are invited to bring your own ‘Munch’.

Admission is free, donations are welcome.

Coffee, tea and biscuits from 12:15pm, with the performance starting at 12:45pm and lasting about 45 minutes.

The following Munch will be on 7th June, musicians from Trinity Laban.

SINGERS WE NEED YOU!

On May 7th at 10 a.m. we will be singing a special anthem at St John the Evangelist to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The rehearsals are in church at 11.10 a.m. on April 25 and 30 and 9.30 a.m. on the 7th May.

You do not need to be able to read music! The text is "The mountains shall bring peace" and the music is by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange. Contact John Woodhouse if you can come!

Annual Parochial Church Meetings 2023

On 30th April at 11.30am we have our Annual Church Meetings.

We have vacancies for the following:

Treasurer
3 Deanery Synod reps
3 PCC members

Our PCC hasn’t had its full quota of members for a good many years, so it would be great if all these vacancies can be filled at the meeting.

If you want to know about Deanery Synod, please talk to Susan. For the other roles, you can talk to Julie or Susan. There are approximately 6 PCC Meetings a year.

Please do think seriously as to whether you can help the church in this way.

The Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call 2023 - Week 5

Week 5: Zimbabwe Projects

Look North

A gap in the fight against malaria exists, in the support offered to those who have been orphaned. Orphaned children are often left without the resources to continue their education and to lead meaningful and abundant lives. The Diocese of Matabeleland is addressing this through an initiative called, Look North, which will, amongst other things, establish a nutritional garden at St Augustine Mission, Binga. Funding for this and for the awareness programme about malaria, which is part of the Look North Initiative, will help children and adults too to have better nutrition and education leading to better mental health and well-being as they will have to worry less about where their physical needs.

St Werburgh Clinic

Another nutritional garden is proposed at St Werburgh Clinic, Chigodora in the Diocese of Manicaland. St Werburgh’s Mission has a Church, clinic, primary and secondary schools so it offers holistic support to those
around it. Funding for the clinic has run out and this is one of the reasons for re-establishing the nutritional garden there. The garden will provide a balanced diet to the community, especially those with compromised
immunity. The HIV/AIDS and post-natal care patients at the centre will benefit a lot from the nutritional garden which will provide all types of vegetables.

Shepherding the Soul and Mental Health

The Diocese of Central Zimbabwe is asking for support for Shepherding the Soul and Mental Health. The aim of the project is to work in the areas of substance and drug abuse. There is evidence of an increase in the number of young people abusing drugs and substances, but there are few strategies to address the challenge.

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 4

Week 4: The Woolwich Episcopal Area

MumSpace and Espacio Mamá

The Spanish speaking community is one of the fastest growing communities in the Southwark area. Espacio Mamá meets weekly for Spanish speakers, and it is part of MumSpace. Together they provide a welcoming supportive environment focused on reducing social isolation and promoting the well-being of parents. While parents share and learn from each other, children have a safe place to play, develop and socialise.

The Front Room Club

St Luke, Downham is in the Lewisham Archdeaconry and is one of the churches on the Downham Estate in the East Lewisham Deanery. It ranks 1,071 out of 12,382 parishes putting it within the 10% most deprived in the country. St Luke’s is working to address some of the needs of the estate by promoting the mental, physical, social and economic well-being of people and families from the Downham community. They do this through providing support groups, events and offering one-to-one support, to give people a safe place to feel empowered to help themselves.