Rob Harrison - Vicar

In 2008 we said ‘Good-bye’ to Elizabeth. Training her over 3 years was a great joy and privilege. It was sad to see her go, but I am greatly proud of the love and support that St John’s gave her during her time here.

Increasingly, my role at St John’s is to support the ministry of others rather than do it myself. So although I do less ‘up front’, I am doing more than ever behind the scenes. There are a number of new faces regularly leading our Sunday worship; it is enriching to have such a variety of insights and perspectives.

George Pinnell - Curate

This has been another busy year at St Johns. Baptisms have been less this year but are held mainly at our family service and a service at 3-00 on the third of the month. This whole process is supported by a team of helpers who are there at Office Hour on Tuesdays to advise the family and arrange a suitable date for them and not forgetting those who assist at the Sunday afternoon service my thanks go out to them. I have visited other churches in the area to cover holiday times and also interregnums, this is always of interest as it gives me the chance to share with others the richness of the Anglican Church with it many traditions and styles of worship. I have also shared my ministry with two local care homes with occasional services. Just to fill in any idle moments I have been licensed as Chaplain at Heathrow and share my time between the parish of St Johns and Heathrow with the airport providing me with many different problems but it is wonderful to have this opportunity of taking God's love into such a diverse community. Advent and Lent are always special times in the church year and once again during these seasons by holding quiet days it allowed us all time to stop and think on the time ahead. I do encourage you to give these days a try. My prayers and thanks to the family of St Johns, your support this past year has been wonderfully inspiring. 

The services have been continuing so well, offering new patterns of worship along side some very traditional worship in the hope that we may reach all generations. It has also allowed others to develop new leadership skills for the church. St Johns is still very much in demand for weddings, these events are always a joy to be involved with especially when some of the couples come back to the church to share in worship with us. Funerals continue to be the biggest privilege I believe for anyone in being asked to share with a family in their moment of grief at the loss of a loved one.