On Thursday 17th September we held our first Messy Church session for the year. In it we explored God’s love for us through Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. In series of activities we thought about the story. Coin rubbing allowed us to reflect on the Father allowing the son to have half of his fortune. A mock cocktail bar helped us think about the ‘wild’ time the Prodigal Son had. Pigswill jelly made us reflect on how desperate he must have been to ponder eating the food the pigs he cared for ate and pigs masks helped us remember the pigs he was reduced to caring for. A final collage of a farm covered in balloons, streamers, and party poppers, reminded of us of the Sons return home, and God’s unconditional love for us. We then went into Church to hear the parable more formally told, and to pray together. Afterwards supper consisted of sausages, chips and beans. Over thirty children and toddlers came along. Why not join us for the next session in December?

Today St John’s decided to celebrate the bank holiday weekend and the feast, at least locally, of its patron with a Church ‘family’ day out to Hastings. About twenty five people travelled by car and train down to the south coast, braving dire predictions of rain. The day included time in the sea, playing on the shingle beach, fish and chips, dogems, and rides on probably the worst ghost train in Kent! The weather stayed fine and people enjoyed time in one anothers company.

On Friday July 24th the Church was packed as we said goodbye to the Year six pupils. This is always a popular event and the Church was filled to standing. The whole school community was present and parents both from Year six and throughout the school joined in. The children sang ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ and heard from Psalm 139. Fr Robin reminded the children that they were each of huge value, very simply God’s work with huge talents that they can choose to use to the best of their ability, and in so doing, give glory to God. Mrs Quirk spoke of the exceptional Year six they had been and each child was presented with a Bible as a leaving gift.

On Sunday June the 7th the Bishop of St Helena, The Rt. Rev. Richard Fenwick, joined us at St John’s.

The link between the Diocese and St Helena goes back many years and St John’s is proud to support this Diocese. The Bishop preached to us telling us of his work and mission in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. In addition St John’s school has recently begun a link with a school on the Island of St Helena, drawing these two communities together.