Click here for more details.
Christine Healey
Lent Lunches 2023
Would you like to run one? Starting on 25 February, St John’s will be holding a series of lunches every Saturday during Lent from 12-2pm in the Tamberlin Room hosted by volunteers to raise money for a charity of their choice.
You are all invited to come and enjoy the food and company. For more details click here …..
Fairtrade Easter Eggs
Thinking about buying Easter eggs? Read what Andy Bebington of the Shirley Justice and Peace Group has to say about “Why to buy fair trade?” and getting your Easter eggs from “The Real Easter Egg Company“. Details are also at the back of church and orders can be placed up to 5th March.
Dorothy Newton
We have learned from her son that Dorothy Newton, formerly a key member of St John’s congregation, died peacefully in early January 2023, in the nursing home in Worcestershire where she had been for three years. Her funeral is being held on 31st January in Stourbridge.
Dorothy was the wife of the late John Newton, a longstanding organist and choir master at St John’s. It is planned to inter Dorothy’s ashes with those of her husband, at St George’s, Beckenham, at a later date; where it is hoped to hold prayers beforehand, so that people who knew her locally will have the opportunity to attend.
The Big Garden Birdwatch at St John’s
Come join us in our Tearoom this coming Sunday on 29th January anytime between 3-5pm for this year’s RSBP Big Garden Birdwatch.
Here’s a throwback from last year’s.
To all St John’s and Shirley Knitters!
As well as our church continuing to knit beanie hats, could you spare some time to knit poppies to mark 100 years since our former vicar Revd. William Wilks’ death and 180 since his birth? Organised by MHA The Wilderness, click here for the knitting pattern and their message with more information ….
Shrublands Trust Food Bank
Items currently needed at the Shrublands Trust Food Bank.
Cereals · Crisps · Fruit in juice/dried · Instant deserts · Jam/honey · Pasta · Rice · Spices · Stock cubes · Tomatoes · Vegetables · Shower gel · Toilet rolls
Please make sure donations have a shelf life of at least six months.
Donated goods can be brought to the Shrublands shop at 7 Broom Road, Shirley, CR0 8NG on: Mondays 09:00 – 12:00 or Thursdays 12:00 – 15:00; or popped into the collection box at the Shirley CO- OP: Wickham Road; or at Sainsbury’s Central in the Whitgift Centre; or left at the back of church.
Thank you!
The Parish Giving Scheme – have you registered yet?
As you will have heard, we’re encouraging everyone to register for the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). Whether you’re new to St Johns, someone that regularly donates via the website or contactless machine in church, or have a standing order set up with your bank, then please consider registering for PGS now at https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/shirley-st-john-the-evangelist-croydon/.
Why PGS?
There are many benefits to PGS, including:
- Secure and Safe method of payment by regular direct debit
- Donations can be linked to inflation (if you wish) and PGS will contact you annually to consider the level of your pledge
- There are NO FEES so every penny you donate comes to the church (unlike standing orders, for which we do incur bank charges; or contactless donations which also have transaction charges).
- PGS claim and pay the gift aid to us automatically each month, reducing our administration and improving cashflow.
Where can I find more information?
The PGS website – https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/home/ – has lots more information and guidance available to help you. Or you can speak to a Church Warden, Janet Martin or Becky O’Neal, or email Becky directly on [email protected].
How do I register?
It’s really quick and simple to register online at: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/shirley-st-john-the-evangelist-croydon/. This link takes you directly to the Shirley St Johns page, from where you simply click on the ‘Give now’ button (on the left and/or bottom of the screen) and follow the instructions on screen to set up your regular gift.
First, you’ll be asked to set up and activate a website account with PGS so that you can log-in securely. Next, you’ll be guided through a simple form to provide your personal bank details, the value and frequency of your gift, the option to add Gift Aid, and you can choose whether to increase your gift annually by the rate of inflation. It only takes a few minutes to complete these steps online. Then, you’ll be able to log-in at any time to review your giving and personal details.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to complete the set up by telephone you can call PGS directly on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm and a PGS representative will take down all the information they need to complete your Direct Debit instruction for you. They will also ask about your preferences for opting in to Gift Aid, if you are eligible, and whether you would like to increase your gift annually by the rate of inflation. The call usually takes about 10 minutes to complete. They will then send you a confirmation of your new gift by post or email.
Our parish name is Shirley, St John the Evangelist, and our parish code is 370637373.
Thank you to everyone that has already registered and gives so generously.
GoodBox donation plate
We are not able to use our GoodBox card reader for donations at the moment.
Please use the QR code next to the collection plate by the main doors or click here for giving to the work and mission of St John’s Church.
Better still, use the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). It is a simpler way of regular giving. The system allows Gift Aid to be paid into the Church account very quickly. Our Bank charges are also reduced by using PGS. For more information see this leaflet (printed versions available in church) or visit the Giving page.
Many thanks
2022 Lent Lunches “Thank you”
We are very grateful the team of organisers and all those came to our lent lunches this year. Here’s how we have helped the various charities.
| Date | Organiser | Charity | 75% to Charity | 25% to Church |
| 12/03/2022 | Caroline Wilson | NSPCC | £189 | £63 |
| 19/03/2022 | Anne Pardon | Demelza | £182 | £61 |
| 02/04/2022 | Karen Dovey | Kidney Research UK | £327 | £109 |
| 09/04/2022 | The Choir | The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity | £327 | £109 |
Here’s a thank you letter from Kidney Research UK
** Date for your diaries**
Next year’s lunches are likely to start on Saturday 25th February 2023 (noon-2pm) and continue every Saturday during Lent. More details to follow nearer the time.
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