Church News
The Creche
As a young mum with a pre school child who was very reluctant to be separated from me, I remember how important it was to us, to find a church where he was settled in the crèche.
At St John's we aim to provide a safe and happy environment where little ones ( 0 - 3 yrs) can play while parents participate in church without distraction.
We have a willing band of helpers on a rota, but to provide continuity I am there every week - a familiar face often helps the children to settle.
Parents can bring their children in to the crèche at any time in the service, however a really good time is when the other children are leaving for their groups. Please don't feel embarrassed about coming up to the front of church.
I love getting to know the little ones and miss my little friends when they move on to "Sparklers" but like to think that crèche had given them a good preparation for the transition to Sunday seekers.
Dede Gales
top
Homegroups for the Autumn
This autumn our homegroups will be looking a the letter of James, one of those hidden gems tucked away at the end of the New Testament.
The series is called ‘JAMES: faith that works’ because it’s a letter that’s full of practical teaching on how to live as a Christian. James wants God’s people to know how to behave in all situations and he isn’t afraid to tackle difficult issues.
The start of the new series is always a good time - simply get in touch with one of the hosts. This series is certain to be helpful for us all!
Thursday 2.00pm The Vicarage Simon Gales 583251
Thursday 8.00pm 25 Moor Lane George Perrin 528637
Thursday 8.00pm 21 Hawthorn Lane John & Alison Walsh 530739
Thursday 8.00pm 9 Rostherne Road Simon & Dede Gales 583251
(home of Mandy & John)
Friday 2.00pm 122 Knutsford Road Alec Ham, Rachel 523622
(home of Jean Thomas) Griffiths
1 December 6. Friendship: God or the world? 4: 1-5.6
15 December 7. Patient Perseverance & faithful Prayers 5: 7-19
Dates given are for the Thursdays.
top
THE HOPE CENTRE MACCLESFIELD
is based in the old Wesley Owen bookshop in Park Green, Macclesfield. It functions both as a coffee shop, and a Christian bookshop selling books, CD and other fairly traded goods. In addition to these commercial aspects it is designed to provide a beacon of hope to the people of Macclesfield.
These are extracts from the latest newsletter:
Open at last!
What an amazing transformation has taken place at The Hope Centre over the last three months. Yes, The Hope Centre is now open and thanks to the help of so many of you, it is now running smoothly and we have had a lot of heart-warming feedback. If you have not visited yet, please do and invite a friend along with you. We need to spread the Word, which has a capital "W" quite deliberately! When you come in to have a delicious coffee, make sure you have a good look round and don't forget there is an extra section beyond the café selling a beautiful selection of cards, Traidcraft goods and more Christian resources.
How can we help Christine?
Our retail manager, Christine Togneri, has put her heart and soul into creating The Hope Centre we prayed about, where Living, Loving, Serving and Sharing are the foundation of prayer every morning. She has had amazing support from volunteers, not forgetting those gifted with administration skills, hidden at the top of the building!
At this moment in time her deepest concern is the rota for volunteers. We have reached the silly season when many people are off on holiday and there has been a surprising amount of illness around, thus, despite the fact that we have nearly 60 volunteers on our list, there are some sessions that are not sufficiently manned with the result that Christine has difficulty leaving the shop in order to fulfil the administrative side of her job. We need more volunteers who can commit to a weekly shift of 3 hours.
Please pray about this. I can assure you that helping at the Hope Centre has many blessings. One meets so many special people from other churches, and working together under the umbrella of Hope makes one's shift an act of praise and thanksgiving.
Come and try it! You won't regret it!
The Hope Centre 16 - 18 Park Green, Macclesfield 01625 404384
top
The True Meaning of Christmas
St John’s will again field a Carols with testimony team of Open Air Witness in Grove Street, Wilmslow, on Saturday 10th Dec, 11am—12.30pm.
We need singers, musicians & those who will stand with us in support. If you can come, please let Keith Ranger know, at church or tel. 439184
top
The Association of Church Fellowships
The first meeting in November is on Tuesday November 8th, when a group called “The Singing Waiters” will be coming to entertain us. This should be a very enjoyable evening, as they are members of the excellent Poynton Male Voice Choir.
On November 22nd there will be a “Bring and Buy” evening fair in aid of the East Cheshire Hospice. This is our charity event for the year, and the committee agreed that the hospice is a very valued place in our community and needs all the help it can get.
Stephanie Cole the chaplain will give a talk about her work and the work of the Hospice first, before the “Bring and Buy”.
We welcome everyone to both events.
top
