Sunday 15th March 2026
St John’s holds services in Church on Sundays at 10am, with a recording of the morning service uploaded online for those not able to join us.
Paper services available on request.
Dear Church Family,
This Sunday, 15th March, we celebrate Mothering Sunday—a day when the Church pauses to honour all those who have cared for us with steady, everyday kindness. It isn’t only about mothers, but about mothering in all its forms: encouragement, protection, patience, and the stubborn hope that refuses to give up on someone.
Our reading from Exodus 2: 1–10 begins with a very small, very human act of care in a difficult world. It’s a reminder that God often works through ordinary people who notice what others overlook, who hold on when it would be easier to let go, and who choose compassion when circumstances suggest otherwise.
Mothering Sunday can be joyful for some and tender for others. Whatever this day brings for you—gratitude, longing, grief, or delight—there is space for it in our worship. You don’t have to arrive in any particular mood; just come as you are. If you can, bring a friend or family member—someone who might welcome a warm service, a familiar hymn, and a reminder that God still meets us in the small things.
Every blessing,
Mark 甄英深
Notices
BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL. The BELLS RESTORATION APPEAL was launched on 1st February 2026. A page has been set up on our website here that explains some of the history behind the bells and what will be involved in the restoration, as well as details on how donations can be made.
CAN YOU HELP? At St John's, we love investing in children and young people. Our brilliant Sunday morning Eagles groups are low on helpers this term – could you help out? It doesn't have to be every month (though it's wonderful if you can offer that). Role is subject to DBS and Safeguarding processes. Contact Dawn - families@stjohn-woodley.com or 07907 496769.
IS GOD CALLING YOU? Our APCM is fast approaching and in April our wonderful Churchwarden, Brian Main and our Treasurer, David Crane, will be stepping down after many years of faithful service. We are deeply grateful for all they have given to St. John’s. As a Church, we rely on people serving in these vital roles and at present we do not yet know who will be taking them on next. Please pray about this and consider whether God may be prompting you (or someone you know) to explore one of these ministries. To find out what either role involves—no commitment, just a conversation—please email the office at info@stjohn-woodley.com and we’ll arrange to meet. We trust that God is already preparing the right people as we look ahead with faith and hope.
FLOWER BEE | Saturday 14th March 10.00am - 1.00pm. 'Flower Bee' (a working bee with flowers!) Children, Young People and their significant adults are invited to come and hang out in the church hall on Saturday 14th March from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Youngsters can help make the flower posies for Mothering Sunday in the long room, while the adults chill and chat in the cafe area with a cup of tea and some special treats. Toys out for very little ones. At 12:30 (ish) we will all come together for a pizza lunch.
PCC MEETING | Tuesday 17th March 7.30pm. The next meeting of St. John’s Church PCC will be THIS COMING Tuesday 17th March at 7.30pm.
MOTHERS’ UNION AGM | Wednesday 18th March 2026 2.30pm. Mothers’ Union will meet THIS COMING Wednesday 18th March at 2.30pm in the Church centre. It will be the AGM followed by a time to talk over tea/coffee. New members are always welcome so come along and see what MU is all about.
FELLOWSHIP & STUDY GROUP ON ZOOM. Please note there will be NO Fellowship & Study Group meeting on ZOOM on Wednesday 18th March.
QUIZ NIGHT ON ZOOM | Thursday 26th March 2026 7.30pm. The next Church Quiz via Zoom will be on Thursday 26th March at 7.30pm. Join us from the comfort of your own home and have a fun evening. Click on the link to join. Zoom Meeting ID: 872 7792 0936.
MEN’S BREAKFAST | Saturday 28th March 2026 8.30am. The next Men's Breakfast will be held on Saturday 28th March 2026 8.30am at the Wee Waif, Charvil. The speaker will be Jim Herring talking about HOPE HOUSE - a place for recovering addicts after rehab. Please contact Clive Boys on 07769721449 or see him at Church on Sunday to sign up.
FLIGHT-RG5 WORKSHOP | Sunday 29th March 2026 10.00am. It's 'Do Something Different' week for our Eagles groups, and we have invited a very special guest to deliver a workshop for the Flight-RG5 young people. Mandy Shora has a wealth of experience in helping people to explore their potential, especially in the realm of performance and public speaking. Mandy has planned a fun and engaging session to help the young people to feel more confident when speaking in front of an audience, particularly those who read the Bible in church, but all will benefit from her sparkling wit and wisdom! We hope as many of our older young people as possible will be able to attend.
FAMILY EASTER ENCOUNTER! | Saturday 4th April 2026 2.00pm - 3:15pm. Where: Church yard, behind the hall (or in the hall if it's raining!) What: Easter themed races, games, craft, refreshments, Easter trail and egg hunt around the church yard! All welcome, bring your friends and family! Sign up - https://stjohnswoodley.churchsuite.com/events/ks46uyoj
For our prayers
For our world. Pray for all countries that are at war. For the suffering people. For those working in hospitals tending the injured and dying. Pray for those who are homeless and trying to find a safe place to stay. Pray for the organisations who are providing aid. Pray for the leaders of those countries, that they will talk with one another and bring an end to all wars. Pray for peace on God’s earth.
For our country. Pray and thank God for the awakening of spring. For the flowers and blossoms, for the emerging sunshine. Pray too for those who don’t have the security of a home to live in. Those who have to sleep on our streets at night. Those who have lost their jobs and cannot provide for their families. Pray for our young people who are living in a confusing world. Pray for all who are finding safe places for our young people to meet.
For those who are unwell. Pray for our many loved ones who are unwell just now. Pray especially for Suzanne, Wendy S, Jenny M, Marjorie, Michael B, Margaret H, Carol, Irene and Ricky M, Liz, Dhoj Gurung, Ruilan, Janet A, Devina, Mo, Margaret and Katie. Pray too for all who care for them.
In our prayers. Pray for all mourning the loss of a loved one. Pray for the family of St. John’s. For Mark, Richard, Suzanne, Dawn and their families. Pray for our young people and those who nurture them on a Sunday morning. Pray for all who come to our Bubble church. Pray for Brian our churchwarden and for our PCC. Pray as we come near to our APCM that a new churchwarden and treasurer will step forward to replace Brian and David. Pray for Sarah Mullally, our new Archbishop of Canterbury. Pray for strength and vision for her as she leads us forward.
Church Office
The church office is usually open Tuesday - Fridays from 10am - 12pm. Please note that any notices need to be sent to info@stjohn-woodley.com by 10.00 am on Thursday, for inclusion in that week's newsletter.
THIS WEEK
Sunday 15th March
9.00am - BCP Said Service of Holy Communion.
10.00am - Morning Family Service. The Fourth Sunday of Lent. Mothering Sunday. This week’s Bible readings will be Exodus 2: 1-10 and Luke 2: 33-35. A video recording of the service will be uploaded to the website at: https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnswoodley
3:00pm - Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi Fellowship.
Tuesday 17th March
10.00am - Toddlers. See Dawn for details.
Wednesday 18th March
10.00am - Midweek Communion.
11.30am - Life of Christ Study Group. See Lorna for details.
2.30pm - Mothers’ Union AGM.
Friday 20th March
11.30am - Lunch, Munch and Chinwag.
Pastoral Support
Would you like a prayer?
If you would like support, please do let us know - you do not need to face hard things alone. Please contact the office to arrange for a Pastoral Visit from one of our team. Alternatively, complete the prayer request form below and someone will be in touch.
A MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF WOODLEY FOODBANK. Thank you for your donations throughout the year. We are currently low in tins of potatoes, sweetcorn, carrots & peas, orange squash and toilet rolls. There continues to be a high demand at the moment, so your help is very much appreciated. Donations of Sugar, Coffee, Pasta Sauce, Noodles (inc. Pot Noodles), Tinned Vegetables (all types), Tinned fish, Tinned fruit, Tinned meat meals, Biscuits, Crisps, Custard - tinned and dried, Tinned Desserts, Long Life milk, Juice (cordial & long life), Toiletries and Toilet Rolls are welcome at any time.
Envelope Collection. David, our Treasurer, is kindly offering a collection service for those that usually give to St John’s by envelope. Please call him direct on 0118 969 2521 or email.
Church Suite - Login Required. Please do log in and update your personal contact details and what information you want to share with others in the St John’s church family. This way you can make sure you are kept up-to-date with news at St John’s and stay linked in with others. For those who are not online, we will be contacting them separately to do this.
