Weekly Bulletin: Staying connected as a church - 22 May 2022

Kia ora St John’s whānau,
 
Last Sunday we introduced a new Vision for St John’s that we pray God is using to help us reform, restore and rebuild us as a Church.

If you missed the introduction, or want to hear it again – you can watch it on YouTube:

We need feedback on the Vision to make any necessary changes to the ideas Session has discerned to this point. We will start with a discussion with key leaders who give time and gifts generously serving the rhythms of being Church. If you are one of these people, please come to a discussion after the service this coming Sunday 22nd May in the St John’s Centre.
 
Then, we will have a substantive discussion on the Vision with the whole St John’s Church whānau on Sunday 12th June.
 
Here are the dates for sharing the Vision:
22nd May        Korero with Key Leaders over lunch. Brief presentation and discussion.

26th May         Share the Vision Document to whole congregation, with an invitation to a Congregational Forum

on Sunday 12th June 2022

12th June        Congregational Forum: brief presentation, questions, discussion

As we gather for worship this Sunday, please note we have peer groups for St J’s Kids and Youth Group in the St John’s Centre – going out part-way through the service.
 
We will hear the story of Jonah – which is about God’s love for the world.

If you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here are the details to access the live-stream:
Zoom Meeting ID: 370 260 759
Passcode: worship
 
The link to join the Zoom worship service is below.
 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/370260759?pwd=b2ZkajZ5d28rTy9EN1VKZDJUM3N4dz09 

If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#)

This is the link to the printable Service Sheet is below

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

BEING A CONNECTED COMMUNITY DURING COVID-IN-THE-COMMUNITY

Some of us are having to isolate because we or someone in our household tests positive for COVID-19. If you are in this situation and find you need help (e.g. food or supplies dropped off), please let us know through the St John’s in the City Office. We are able to help one another.

Even if we have to physically isolate, we want to stay connected as a faith community. To help us, we have Online Devotions every Thursday at 11am.
Please join with others for fifteen minutes of spiritual reflection together.

The link to join via Zoom is below.
If using your phone, dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 150 457 018, Passcode: 333)

FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The Field Officer of the Motor Neurone Association, Moira Young, will be the speaker on 24th May at 11am.

DCM FOODBANK

Thank you all very much for your contributions to the DCM Foodbank made as part of our weekly worship. The need is high for food supplies during winter, so please keep giving to our weekly food basket. We give as a Church and each week we dedicate the food with prayer for the well-being of those who have it really tough in our city. When you are next at the supermarket, please consider getting something extra for those who need it most. We also have a team of St John’s volunteers helping as part of a community foodbank collection at New World Chaffers, Saturday 28 May. Sorry, we have no spaces left to help with this community foodbank collection, so please get in early next time!

SOUPER SUNDAY ARE BACK - THIS IS YOUR INVITATION

Over May, June July and August Marg Gilkison is organising a team to host Souper Sundays. We are invited to participate as an expression of re-connecting and re-building our church family after our disrupted experiences. These lunches are very popular and provide a wonderful atmosphere of friendship and fun …and the homemade soup is delicious.

The yummy soup and bread, tea and coffee is provided and you are invited to bring something to share with the tea and coffee after our soup ( eg: slice, biscuits, fruit). It’s as simple as that, and there is no cost!

We have divided the congregation alphabetically into four groups
29th May (A-F )
26th June (G-L)
31st July (M-R)
28th August (S -Z)

Please come another time if you can't make it on your designated date. All visitors are welcome to please join us.

PENTECOST

On Sunday 5th June we celebrate the Birthday of the Church with a Combined Pentecost Evening Service with our neighbouring churches: St Mary of the Angels and St Peter’s. We will host this service at St John’s in the City, starting at 7:30pm with combined choirs and a supper afterward. Please bring some food to share.

ST JOHN’S CHURCH CAMP

After having to defer the Church Camp because of covid, we are excited about having this special weekend this year. Please SAVE THE DATE for the St John’s Church Camp:
16th – 18th September 2022

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRY WORKER

We currently have a vacancy for the role of the Children & Families Ministry Worker, and have been trying to find someone to serve in this important position. We are grateful to those who have stepped up their commitment to serve during this vacancy and will continue to pursue a successful appointment to have someone fulfilling the responsibilities we need dedicated leadership for. If you, or someone you know, might consider this halftime role, please contact the St John’s Office for a Position Description (Ph: 385 1546).