St.John's Church - An ecumenical partnership serving the needs of the Grove Green and Weavering communities

	News & Adverts
	Ollie - Moving On Congratulations to our Minister, who moving in August to become Vicar of Holy Trinity, Wilnecote in Tamworth. His last Sunday here will be the 20th of July, followed by a bring-and-share lunch. More details nearer the time. Please pray for Oliver, Jessica, Daisy and Lucinda in this period of change.
	People@Prayer Thursday 19th June, Phil and Myriam Nelme's house, 8-9pm. Please Come !.
	Jonathan Oatridge’s Ordination Saturday June 28th You’re all welcome to Jonathan Oatridge’s Ordination at Maidstone Baptist Church, Knightrider Street, 3pm on Saturday June 28th . See you there!

	Light Club News: Thanks to John Baxter for co-ordinating the Light Club groups over the past couple of years but he now wants to focus more on the Youth Club. We now need someone who will take on this role of overseeing the Sunday School groups and liaising with each group’s co-ordinator. This is a very important but also quite simple task – please speak to Oliver or John if you think you could help or would like to find out more. Thanks also to Lucy Baxter and Roz Wood for serving as Light Club Leaders and who are stepping down at the end of this month. Thanks also to Jessica Harrison and Debbie Rowe who are stepping down at the end of next month. We need at least three people willing to lead a Light Club group once a month. This is quite simple and easy (the resources and instructions are all in the books) and one of the most important things you can do as a Christian (Psalm 78:4-6; Joel 1:3; Deut. 4:9-10). Please help.
	Revealing The Bible’s Basics: Social activist Jim Wallis recently told me about an unexpected encounter he had in the United States when out cycling one day. While on a retreat he literally bumped into the leader of one of the many new courses introducing people to Christianity that have mushroomed both in the US and the UK in the last few years. “So, what’s your introductory course to Christianity about then?” asked Jim. “Well, it’s about the basics of the Gospel. You know, the fundamentals of our belief, that’s what it’s about,” came the answer. “Oh, so you mean the basics like standing up for the poor and the marginalised in our society and around the world? The elderly, the sick, the psychologically scarred and the homeless. Is that the sort of basics you’re talking about?” Jim asked his cycling companion. “No, no, no,” came the emphatic reply. “No, not the poor, just the basics.” This story sends a shiver down my spine. How could caring for the poor not be part of the basics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Did our Lord not tell us to care for the ‘least of these’? In an interview with Christianity Today magazine in the US, Rick Warren has stated that there are over 2,000 verses in the Bible that refer to the poor. Bashfully, he said that he’d been to Bible College, studied the Bible for many years and is the pastor of a successful church that people admire. “So, how did I miss it?” he asked after a visit to Africa with World Vision. Only when he was confronted with the reality of poverty did he understand for himself that our God has a heart for the poor. Jim Wallis says there are over 2,000 verses on the subject of poverty in the Bible. Bono puts it at over 2,100 and Rick Warren has the number at closer to 3,000. However you cut it, to use the words of Bono: “That’s a lot of air time.” (from James Catford, Church of England Newspaper) .
	Concert for Youth Saturday June 28th: For teenagers there is an "n;vision adore" event for Youth with Ross Ciano and Phatfish at More Park on Saturday 28th June from 5pm (Tickets £6). More information from mave@nvision.uk.net or just turn up on the day. Please support this excellent local event and see if others want to go / organise transport.
	Prayer Walking in June - Meadowdown, Nutwood, Fallowfield & Barncroft: First, drop a simple card round to every home in Grove Green, introducing St. John’s and offering to pray for that road at church on a named Sunday. There’s space for people to write any particular prayer requests and return the cards to us, as well as contact information for them to get in touch with us if they want to. We need is a few people (2 or 3) to help each time: maybe you could do it when it’s your road (it only takes about an hour). Please sign up on the sheet in the foyer. For more information see June Fuller.
	"Stop Looking for the Will of God" - June 22nd - July 13th : During the second half of June and the first half of July we'll be running a four-week short course called "Stop Looking for the Will of God" by Jeff Lucas, designed to help Christians hear and know the will of God. The four consecutive Sunday sermons (June 22nd and 29th; July 6th and 13th) will be supported by four mid-week study groups and individual Bible study booklets. More details available nearer the time.
	Detling Christian Conference - August 2nd to 7th: A week of worship, teaching, workshops, seminars, children's groups and fellowship: and all only 10 minutes away at the Kent County Showground. There is a discount for bookings made before the end of May. Whether you camp there for the week (great for teenagers), go as day visitors or simply go up for the main evening services, it will be a great experience. Interested? See Phil Thomas or Oliver and we'll organise a church party, share lifts etc. More details can be found at www.detling.com
	Golden Wedding Anniversary Buffet Sunday June 29th On Sunday June 29th there will be a buffet lunch after the service to celebrate Glenys and Jimmy Jackson’s Golden Wedding Anniversary (which is the day before). Please come and join the celebrations – the only present they want is your presence there! (N.b. well done too Norman and Veronica who have their Golden Wedding Anniversary one the same day but who will be away on Sunday the 29th.) Put it in your diaries now!
	Icthus Youth Group : For ages 11-15 (School years 6-10). All welcome. Forthcoming Youth Club dates are: Friday June 6th and 20th 7:30 - 9:00pm at Weavering Village Hall. £2 subs on the door plus tuck shop.
	'Salt and Light' Retired People's Group : Next meetings are Thursday June 19th and July 17th. All meetings are 10:30am - 12 noon at the Vicarage; everyone welcome.
	Lazers' Baptism and Communion Course: We are thinking about having a short course (e.g. 6 Weeks) for our teenagers and young people to look at what the Bible teaches about Baptism and Communion. At the end of the course we'd offer full-immersion baptism for those not Christened as infants or a full-immersion renewal of baptism for those who were. The course would be suitable preparation to begin receiving the bread and wine with the rest of the congregation at our communion services.