Slide 1

Key – St John’s NeedsSlide 1Key – St John’s Needs

Slide 2St John’s aim and vision

Slide 3Felbridge – distribution of ages

Slide 4A living church

Slide 5A caring church

Slide 6An outward looking church – UK

Slide 7An outward looking church – Abroad

Slide 8A family church - children

Slide 9A family church - adults

Slide 10Need for change

Slide 11An expectant church

Slide 12St John’s – building bridges

Slide 2

St John’s aim and vision

Our aim

To win and build followers of Jesus ChristOur vision

To be a living, caring, outward looking family church in the heart of the Felbridge community providing a warm welcome to all. Bringing many together to commit and grow through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Slide 3

Felbridge – distribution of ages

Felbridge lowest Felbridge highest

Felbridge has fewer “youngsters” and more “seniors” than regional and national averages

Slide 4

A living church

• Needs to proclaim the good news of Jesus• Needs to welcome all• Needs to reach the community• Needs to provide for young people• Needs to help lonely people• Needs to visit the sick• Needs to comfort the bereaved• Needs local mission to grow• Needs to support the world wide church

Slide 5

A caring church

• St John’s is a member of Churches Together in East Grinstead

• It is involved in a number of local community projects, including – CARE in East Grinstead & Lingfield (visiting,

helping in the home or with transport, etc)– St Catherine’s Hospice (Tree of Light service, here

on 14th December 6.30 pm)– Food for Thought (Tuesday lunchtime snacks and

talks in East Grinstead)

Slide 6

An outward looking church – UKWe have links to people and organisations at home

CrawleySt Catherine’s Hospice (caring for people with progressive life threatening illnesses and their families and friends)

Surrey Welcare (working with families in need through poverty, isolation, homelessness etc.)

London

Natasha Kasprowicz (working with students through UCCF=Universities & Colleges Christian Fellowship)Mark & Heather Dadds (working to help homeless women develop independent living)

England

Church Army (trains and sends evangelists to work in Anglican churches)CPAS=Church Pastoral Aid Society (trains and advises church leaders, and provides resources especially for youth groups)

Slide 7

An outward looking church – AbroadWe have links to people and organisations overseas

Nigeria2,900 miles

Bishop Daniel & Alice Yisa leading Minna Diocese in central Nigeria

Uganda4,000 miles

Rev Allan & Dr Anne Lacey working for CMS (Church Mission Society) teaching in theological college and hospitals

China 5,000m Helping disabled teenagers in Western China

Argentina7,000 miles

Andrew & Maria Leake supported by SAMS (South American Mission Society) helping the Wichi Indians secure land rights

International

Scripture Union - using the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.TearFund - a Christian relief and development agency working with a global network of local churches to help eradicate poverty.

Slide 8

A family church – children• In Church there is a family corner with toys and books

for young children, a crèche for the 0-3 year olds and groups for the children aged 3+ to join in (Climbers, Explorers & Light Eagles). On the first Sunday of the month there is a Family Service.

• Mid week there is a JAFFA (Jesus A Friend For All) club and Girlguiding groups (Rainbows, Brownies and Guides)

• A playgroup (Humpty Dumpty) for pre-school children hire the hall for three mornings a week

Slide 9

A family church – adults• Mid week there various meetings including

– Art club (Watercolour on Wednesdays)– Homegroups, for discussion, Bible study and social activities– Prayer meetings– Mission society meetings– Christianity Explored course (does exactly what it says)

• A “keep-fit” ladies group hire the hall• We produce a monthly magazine (Parish News)• More information on the web

visit www.stjohnsfelbridge.com

Slide 10

Need for change• From its inception St. John's has strived to provide an

evangelical ministry, a friendly congregation and a strong church family atmosphere.

• We have been aware for several years that structural changes to the church buildings are necessary in order to meet the needs of the whole Felbridge community.

• The limited life of the church hall, the drastic need of space for children's groups, the need for closer fellowship and the need to reach the community are some of the main drivers for change.

Slide 11

An expectant church• At the heart of these plans has been the desire to

reach out to the community and provide an accessible place for prayer, worship, learning and social activity.

• God has called us to show Christ's love to, and share the Gospel with, our parish (as well as those further afield).

• We respond by visiting, daily interaction and friendship and by opening our doors to all to show welcome and hospitality.

Slide 12

“The Diocese of Southwark has had a long and distinguished reputation of building bridges between the traditional faith received from past generations and the issues confronting the world of today and 'pushing at the edges' - of theology, of Christian service and witness and of acceptance of the 'locked-out' in our society.” Bishop Tom

Please help us as we look to reach out to serve our local community

St John’s – building bridges• Reaching out to serve the local community• With a clear biblical mission to win and build

followers of Jesus Christ.

fellowship bridge