St John the Evangelist

And, as always, if you need us, you can contact

• The Rector on 01387 254126 / 07487 653069 / rector@stjohnsdumfries.org
• The Church Office on 07754 596140 / pastadmin@stjohnsdumfries.org

Godly Play Bags are available today, for any children present, during the 11.00 service.  Please ask.

Annual General Meeting: The AGM will take place today, Sunday, as usual in the context of the 11am service. The formal notice has been on the noticeboard at the back of the church. We need to elect 4 Vestry members and the Lay Representative, the Alternate Representative and the representative to the Regional Council.  If you cannot stay for the AGM and would like your apologies noted, please sign the apologies sheet (on the table at the back).  The AGM papers are available, whether you can attend the meeting or not.  If you would like a copy, there are some paper ones at the back of the church or please let us know, on the sheet, if you would prefer or to receive them by email.  You can equally let the Church Office know (pastadmin@stjohnsdumfries.org / 07754 596140) what you need.    We will use the contact details you have provided for the database.

Refreshments, as part of the AGM and BYO Lunch arrangements will be available in the Hall.  Mostly, you need to be seated, though you can come up to the serving table to be…well, served.  Please follow the directions as to how this will work.  Things may be slightly limited in scope, at least for the time being, partly due to Covid and partly because we’re just getting going again and are short of volunteers.  If this is something you could help with, please don’t hesistate!  Speak to Jenny Lawson or David Kerr.

Harvest Sunday will be observed next Sunday, 03/10/2021.  There will be a retiring collection on that day.  Monies will be divided between relief efforts in Afghanistan (75%) and to meet the cost of repairing or replacing, as necessary, the gratings by the High Altar (25%).  The gratings, apparently repaired a number of years ago, are now dangerous and have given way under people on occasions recently.  (See photos on lit noticeboard)

The Scottish Episcopal Institute says…Please pray for those to be ordained to the Diaconate and licensed to Lay Readership, Michaelmas 2021:  Lisa Curtice, Claire Nicholson, Lesley Penny, Philip Schonken and Sandra Wright.  Further details can be found on the lit noticeboard, or the website (www.stjohnsdumfries.org)

From Harvest Sunday (03/10/2021), we plan to restart our regular collection of items for First Base Food Bank.  Current intention is that there will be some stackable crates beside the lit noticeboard just inside the glass doors, into which items can be placed.  Keep an eye out and watch for further announcements. 

Lay Ministry Reflection Day:  Emerging Together in Hope and Fear:  Pilgrims to Our New Future!  Saturday 09/10/2021, 10.00am – 1.00pm.
Everyone in licensed Lay Ministry (Lay Readers, Pastoral Assistants, Eucharistic Assistants, Worship Leaders) is welcome to join us. This will be an online event over Zoom.  Nearer the time we will re-circulate this invitation and circulate the Zoom details. However, we recommend that you register with Les949@btinternet.com to be sure to get in! If you want to know more, please call the Rev Les Ireland on 0141 776 3866.

To Filioque or Not to Filioque:  The Warrant of Holy Scripture:  Revd Dr Michael Hull.  SEI Lecture 2021, Thursday 28/10/2021 at 17.00  University Chapel, Glasgow University Gilmorehill Campus.This is the second time the University of Glasgow and the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway have hosted the Lecture; the turn-out the first time was the best ever, so let’s ensure it is the same this time. We regret that due to University Covid regulations there will not be a reception following the Lecture, simply a time of Q and A.   Details of the Lecture, lecturer and registration are to be found at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/to-filioque-or-not-to-filioque-the-warrant-of-holy-scripture-tickets-169336888191    [or, if you’re reading this on paper, the Church Office]  Registration will close at 9 pm on Monday, 25 October, 2021.  In person in the University Chapel or online via Zoom. This is the sixth such SEI Lecture, held annually and hosted in turn by one of the four ancient Scottish Universities and the relevant Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The papers are then published in the SEI Journal.

Christian Aid Week:   seems a long time ago but we now have the totals both for the UK and locally.  Across the UK the total is over £3million (as is to be expected not as good as “normal years” but better than 2020, we understand).  In Dumfries and the local area we raised £6443 directly and £1800 via the online giving page.  Thank you to everyone who contributed.  Margaret Morton

Bell Ringing At St John’s During Covid:  We have now started ringing again at St John’s;  however our ringing room is very small, and we are currently unable to welcome visitors who just turn up unexpectedly as we are limiting our numbers and we have certain restrictions in place.   If you hoping to come and ring here, please contact our Tower Secretary (bells@stjohnsdumfries.org) prior to coming here. Please do not just turn up and hope to ring.  We hope that in due course, we will be able to welcome all visitors again, but we have not quite reached that stage yet.
Debbie Johnson

Seafarers’ Sunday will be observed on Sunday, 10/10/2021.