A letter from St John the Evangelist Church, Trent Vale
Special days in Autumn 2024
The weather may be dull and dreary but this has not dimmed the enthusiasm and hard work to hold services and events at St John’s.
On Monday 23rd September Steve Copner held a Macmillan Coffee Morning with a good number of people enjoying cakes and scones as well as the usual refreshments. With donations and a raffle, we raised a total of £162.30 for this worthy cause. Thank you for your support!
We were joined by Penkhull Village Brass on Sunday 6th October for our Harvest Service. Donations of food of all descriptions filled a large table. This generous giving was later taken to the Foodbank Blurton Distribution Centre. The Harvest ‘Samba’ performed was an opportunity for members of the congregation to show their moves! As the service ended, Revd Liz carried out band member and Church Warden Sam’s quiz by holding up a Swede, a Carrot and a Lime. Got it yet??? Sweet Caroline, always a favourite!!
On Tuesday Revd Liz and Steve Copner paid a visit to the new Springfield Manor Care Home where they received a warm welcome and were shown the facilities. They met the residents, some being old friends of Steve.
Penkhull Village Brass held their annual Oktoberfest bash at the Jubilee Club on Saturday 12th October, supported by a large party from St John’s. This was a fundraising event for the band with Bratwurst, Oompah music and party classics to enjoy.
Due to a chance conversation by various church members enjoying lunch at The King’s Church of England Academy in Kidsgrove, it was realised many had a connection with friends at St John’s. So, plans were made to pay a visit to us on Monday 14th October at our Monday morning’s Welcome Spaces gathering. It was such a pleasure to meet with very dear friends we had not seen for many years.
Lesley and Moira were very busy after toasting 3 loaves and John Bithell was sent out for more bread after he was kept busy finding extra seating.
Steve decided to have a game of ‘Higher or Lower’ with large playing cards propped up on a radiator. The laughter increased when a card fell behind the radiator and John had to come and remove the cover to retrieve it.
Photos were taken and plans made to return with a Ukulele Group on Monday 16th December. This will be our Christmas Breakfast morning so it’s Christmas Jumper ready and a festive morning to look forward to.
Monday morning is such a valuable Church and Community time as members are growing with new friendships being made and an opportunity to involve everyone with what’s happening in our church.
We were pleased to see Revd’s Mike and Fran who came in for Mike’s ‘official’ farewell. Mike was presented with gifts and card and thanked for all his hard work and dedication to St John’s and the Benefice. We wished Mike well as he continues to serve our Benefice as Assoc. Minister at Hartshill alongside his work with Hanley Team Ministry.
On Monday 4th November we were busy making stars for the Star Sunday service; loving messages for departed loved ones will be added and will be hung on the huge Christmas tree in the foyer. Stars may be added at any time and as more people are aware of the tree, the number of stars increase and over two hundred will be needed this year. After Christmas, the stars will be burned and the ashes scattered on the Cross shaped planter next to the Centre.
On a similar theme, on Sunday 20th October at 4.00 pm, Revd Liz held a ‘Remembered in Love’ service remembering the recent departed, a thoughtful serene service with music when candles were lit.
Mike Whittaker led our ‘All Saints Day’ service on Sunday 3rd November when the names of loved-ones appeared on the screen and candles lit. We appreciate the hard work and planning that goes into this and all our services; the music carefully selected, often with videos or pictures the words of the songs on the screen. This service had opened with ‘Amazing Grace’ followed by ‘Blest are the Pure in Heart’, ‘For all the Saints, ‘I cannot tell’ sung to the tune of Londonderry Air and finally the beautiful ‘There is a Higher Throne’. This was such a precious service to us.
It had been a week of special services and on Wednesday 30th October an especially important service had taken place, a Confirmation service led by Revd Liz and Bishop Matthew, Bishop of Stafford, had come to Confirm seven members of our Church.
After many weeks of preparation by Revd Liz, Susan and daughter Stephanie, sisters Margaret and Jane with Mary, Ade and Nick supported by family and friends, came in nervous excitement to make their promises. The Bishop laid his hands on them and as they were blessed and anointed and we were all moved by his unhurried and caring words.
In his sermon the Bishop spoke of them travelling on a journey of faith. Communion was given first to them and then to the congregation. The music had been chosen by the candidates, the first being ‘Be Thou my Vision’ followed by ‘I heard the voice of Jesus say’ and the moving ‘Way Maker’. We were delighted to be joined by Revd Adrian of Trentham with his lovely wife Esther whose performance of this in Lichfield Cathedral on Maundy Thursday was so powerful in its words and music.
The service ended with ‘Guide me o Thou Great Jehovah’. Gifts were given and a beautiful buffet was enjoyed. A truly memorable night when we could feel the Holy Spirit in our midst. We may not have met in our beautiful church but the St John’s Centre had yet again held a service in which we had felt the joy and warmth seeping into us and making us aware of that unique joy that comes through being in the Lord’s presence and his followers, surrounded by love.
The collection was divided between the Bishop’s Ordination Fund and Zanokhanyo Children’s Safety Home in Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
Marj Stacey is still knitting and has raised over £200 by producing thirty-four snowmen and Santa’s along with twenty-eight Angels. In addition, Marj has created two large boxes with snowmen and treats for raffles here at St John’s and St Thomas in Penkhull. A truly staggering amount of work, recognised by family member Karen making and decorating a knitting-themed 80th birthday cake for Marj.
The Bishop signed a Christmas (one of Ray’s creations) card for Zanokhanyo. Many of the congregation have signed the card which will go out to the home shortly. The Bishop was also presented with one of Marj’s snowman which he said he would put on his Christmas tree. These items will be enjoyed by so many here and abroad, one travelled to Singapore and another to South Africa.
Several of our congregation and others have been busy with their knitting and crocheting expertise creating various items to raise funds for Zanokhanyo which is greatly appreciated. We recently transferred £167 to the home and a Trustee has undertaken to obtain a Christmas gift for each of the home’s children. I’ll give you feedback in my next Newsletter.
A few weeks ago, Church member ‘Nello’ was pleased to meet actor Toby Jones and his wife at the Bet365 Stadium. Toby played Nello in the film ‘Marvellous’. Nello is continuing his mission work and has addressed over 200 people.
Work continues on our Church and we are awaiting a decision from Lichfield regarding the next phase of refurbishment.
On 24th October a Firework Spectacular was held at St John's CE (A) Primary School. PCC members served drinks and Revd Liz judged the ‘Pumpkin Light in the Darkness’ competition. Truly an outstanding event.
We are looking forward to a number of forthcoming events: holding our Christmas Fair, a visit to the New Vic Theatre for an Uncle Eric show called ‘Eric’s Full Monty’, two sittings of our Christmas lunch at the Black Lion, services in Advent, the annual free children’s Christmas Party with funding helped by Councillor Waseem Akbar’s Ward Budget.
Trent Vale Remembers
The Centre looked beautiful on Remembrance Sunday. In the foyer, Richard and Team had prepared a moving display entitled ‘They Gave Their All’ with photos and wooden crosses, hand-made by Geoff Hemmings, laying before the ‘Roll of Honour’ of the Fallen of two World Wars.
Revd Liz led the service attended by over 60 people including Susan, the Head of St John's CE (A) Primary School with staff, children and their families. The altar was simply laid with an open bible and a simple small vase of poppies. A long train of poppies, created by Lesley Smith, cascaded tastefully in a swathe in front of the altar.
Colourful service sheets were available and the opening hymn was ‘O God, our help in ages past’.
In her talk, Revd Liz spoke of the main focus of the service and more aspects of remembrance, white poppies for peace and purple for animals killed or suffering because of war. We were invited to select a coloured ribbon on which to write your own personal message and then hang them on Revd Liz’s ‘wash line’.
The service continued and Steve and Sam respectfully read the long ‘Roll of Honour’ with the names of the Fallen also appearing on the screen against a background of falling poppies.
Veteran Sgt Harold Gregory smartly marched forward to lay our wreath at the foot of the altar. We heard the Last Post and observed the 2-minute silence. Reveille sounded and the children came forward to lay the wreaths made by each class.
A moving moment as I prayed that they would only ever know peace.
The service neared the end as we sang the National Anthem.
After the service, refreshments were served, including poppy decorated cookies made by John and Alex.
The following day was Armistice Day . Breakfast was served early in the Centre and at 10.45 am we quietly walked across the road to the war memorial in the Church grounds. About thirty people gathered to hear Revd Liz lead a short service of Remembrance.
Harold again laid a wreath of poppies and Penkhull Village Brass member Matt Aplin played the Last Post on his bugle. We stood in silence whilst the traffic roared past on the busy A34. A couple of cars stopped and a few dog walkers halted in respect. The Reveille sounded and we went forward to lay our own tributes.
The last two days gave us time in our own busy lives to pause to give thanks for past sacrifices and to pray for peace in our troubled world and for a peaceful future.
We hope you have enjoyed our Newsletters in 2024. We hold so many of you in our thoughts and prayers and many who we remember especially at this time of the year.
We send you our love from St John’s in Trent Vale and pray that wherever you are, you will know the joy of Christmas and that its messages will comfort you and give you strength and hope for the future.
Bobbie and all your friends at St John’s Trent Vale.