St. John’s Catch Up 27/02/2023
Dear All,
I am using this lovely photo of just one of hundred’s of beautiful flower presentations, that have been prepared by Yvonne and her team over so many years. Indeed, Yvonne has been arranging flowers for St John’s for around 40 years! Yes, that’s 40 years. Yvonne has been aided over the years by many like minded ‘flower girls’ more recently by Lesley, Gail and Karen. At the start of the pandemic, Yvonne approached me to say that she would like to step down from running this important part of our church life. I was fortunate that Yvonne agreed to stay in post for a little longer but understandably she now feel the time is right for her to take a back seat. In addition to preparing fabulous presentations for all of our Festivals, including that wonderful Advent wreath, Yvonne and her team have also offered their expertise to provide flowers for weddings and funerals, with proceeds going into the St John’s flower fund. Lesley has also said that she too would like to take a back seat and we are so grateful to her for dedicating so much time to our church.
Jenny and myself, on behalf of all at St John’s cannot begin to thank Yvonne for those 40 years dedicated to our church. I also want to thank Lesley and Gail and Karen, who have also dedicated so many hours over the years to St John’s. To prepare for a festival can take them and their helpers many hours in church plus of course the time to source the flowers. Yvonne and Lesley have said they would offer help in the future when they have time, so I am hopeful that we will still see their wonderful works from time to time.
LOOKING FORWARD..... I am so grateful to Karen Hope and Hannah Smith who have approached me with an idea for having flowers during the year, either side of Festivals. Their suggestion is for them to make up several faux presentations to be rotated during the year. You will notice the red poppies above, these are also faux, so such presentations can look very real. They are now investigating this way forward and the costs involved.. This will see a pedestal display during the year. I am sure if others want to support and help them they would be grateful. When it comes to Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas I am hopeful that we will still be able to decorate St John’s and will reach out for help as we go forward.
We have around £450 in our flower fund which may need to be topped up in order to make the initial purchases and for future fresh flowers. If anyone would like to make a donation to the flower fund, please let me know.
DEREK WOOLFORD.R.I.P.
130 of us gathered in St John’s last Monday to celebrate Derek’s life and to commend him to God’s care. He was a much loved villager and a great supporter of our church. He will be very sadly missed . We keep Shelagh and her family in our thoughts at this sad time.
ALEC ROWLAND. R.I.P.
It is with much sadness that I have to report the death of our dear friend Alec, who passed away last week. Alec was a staunch supporter of St John’s and was a past Church Warden. He played for the Cricket Club , there is a photo of Alec and the team in the ‘Five villages of Hurley’ book. He was also a committee member of the Littlewick Green Society. He, like Derek Woolford emersed himself in village life. Coming so soon after the funeral of Derek, is so sad. Our thoughts at this time are with Kate, Mark and their family. Kate has asked me to confirm that Alec’s Funeral will be held on Friday 10th March at 1 pm at St John’s. He will be laid to rest in our churchyard after the service.
SERVICES IN MARCH
Sunday 5th March 9.15am. Family Communion and Sunday Club.
Friday 10th March. 1pm. Funeral of Alec Rowland.
Sunday 12th March 4pm . Family All Age Service.
Sunday 19th March 9.15am. Family Communion.
Sunday 26th March.......No Service.....Services at St James and St Mary’s.
Just to remind you, we have a Morning Prayer short service each Thursday at 9.15. During this cold weather this service is being held in the Sunday School Cabin.
St John’s is open each day between 11am and 4 pm, with lights on and music playing....this week I have Elizabethan Chorial Music on the sound system.
REPAIRS
I am grateful to Martin Westrop for sorting out the Lychgates, they now open and close with ease. Further repairs to the structure are due to be undertaken in the late Summer. We have also now planned phase 2 of the stonework repairs for September.
That’s it for now,
God Bless.
Richard