News and Information

The Bath & Wells Diocese has produced a report on the Lights Switch On in St John's Church that took place on 24 November.  In the report on their website, Hundreds join Christmas lights switch on at St John’s Church Milborne Port, they say:

'Hundreds of people packed into St John’s Church and grounds in Milborne Port on Friday evening (24 November) to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights. This was the first time the celebration in the Village was held at St John’s Church and those who attended for the singing, food.

'Revd Rona Stuart-Bourne said “I am overjoyed that we are able to welcome the whole community and to make the church the centre of the community and put the community at the centre of the church.”'

See https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/hundreds-join-christmas-lights-switch-on-at-st-johns-church-milborne-port.php for the full report.

with services for December 2023 and news and events.

The world has opened up to me. Yesterday I was fitted with two hearing aids which I am getting used to. When my ear itches I go to scratch it but find that it is full of plastic. I have discovered that the clock ticks, that scratching my head makes a row, that I can no longer pretend not to hear my wife asking me to do something. I can proudly answer the real question and not the one I think I heard.

with a Letter from the Rectory, Church Services in November and new, events and information from organisations in the village.

with services for November 2023 and news and events.

A visiting friend recently commented on how friendly this community is. It can be nice to be reminded of that, particularly when we are so used to living in a place.

including a letter from the rectory, church services plus news,  events and information from organisations in the village.

From Helen Solomon (Benefice Administrator)

As some of you know, I have worked in a number of prisons and encountered many kinds of souls. This campaign is very close to my heart. If you can, please go to the website: https://www.prisonsweek.org.

October is a month which is bookended with giving thanks. We begin the month giving thanks for the Harvest, and Creation, and we end the month giving thanks for those we have loved who have died.

Following on from some requests, Rev Rona has created a template for Funeral Planning.

Often families have no idea what their loved ones would like at their funeral, and this is a free, and simple way to help your loved ones at that dreadful time. These sheets will be available in the Parish Office in Milborne Port. Please collect one and fill in any funeral choices (hymns, readings, music etc).

Return the completed form to the Parish Office and feel free to come in and make any changes you wish at any time. 

Look out for a Coffee Morning where Rev Rona will launch this idea and there will be an opportunity to chat about a subject which is infrequently spoken about, but would help us all enormously.

NEW!!
Sponsor a hymn.

If you would like to sponsor a hymn, there is now a signup sheet and some donation envelopes at the back of St John’s Church.
Please give the completed envelope to David Johnson
If more than one person likes the same hymn, that is fine.
Suggested donation: £5

with services during October and news, events and information from the Benefice.

As I write this the world is burning. Unbelievably high temperatures, lists of countries battling wildfires, animals on land, in the air and in the sea dying.

with a letter from Rev Rona, church services in September and news and information from village organisations.

with services and readings for September 2023 plus news, events and information.

Parish Giving Scheme  (PGS)

If you would like an easy new way to give money to your parish, have a look at this new scheme that is now available for all to use.

The PGS makes it possible for givers to:

• Give One-Off amounts by Credit/Debit cards and Apple/Google pay wallets.
• Give monthly, quarterly or annually by Direct Debit.
• Sign up to inflation-linked giving annually.
• Enhance your gift to your church by having Gift Aid at 25% added to your giving.
• Give anonymously.
• The system is secure, confidential and easy to use

The team at PGS make it safe and easy for you to give and just as safe and easy for your church to receive, easing the administration burden for treasurers and church volunteers.

To find out more, talk to Rev Rona or go to: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk.

including the Letter from the Rectory, church services in August and news, events and information from village organisations.

Pew News for August with a list of readings for this month plus news and events.  The next Pew News will be in September.