Individuals

Many individuals are serving the local community in a huge variety of ways: from providing transport, to hospital visiting, to supporting local community projects. It is a great joy to know that St John's is exporting so much time, care and generosity into the local community.

Within our new worship pattern there will be more opportunity for church members to share what they are doing in the community, and to encourage others to join them. We need to provide ways of releasing individuals to give time to the community (e.g. by offering child care).

Violet Avenue

The Violet Ave Drop-In has been a wonderful example of the fruit that comes from gentle, patient and generous love. We look forward to the continued flourishing of the community that has gathered around the VATRA shop.

The Violet Ave experience has shown us a modest yet effective model for community ministry: a small number of people getting together to serve a few people in a simple and practical way, with little need for long term planning or financial investment. We plan to encourage and foster more such initiatives. The 'Open Church' (click here, or see below) will provide many opportunities for modest outreaches to particular groups within the local community.

Special Events

Following the success of our 'Make Poverty History' events, we plan to look for further opportunities for St John's to become a focus for the cares and concerns of local people.

Schools

St John's currently has established and regular links with three local schools: taking school assemblies, hosting school trips to the church building, and visiting classes. We have the opportunity to expand this work into at least three other schools, and with the arrival of Elizabeth to our team, we are able to make the most of these possibilities. It would be good to involve more members of the church community in this work.

We have plans to set up a regular after school club in one of the local primary schools. We also have plans to hold 'Holiday Clubs' during school holidays.

Bereavement

Our small but committed team of Bereavement Visitors are available to support those who have come to St John's for the funerals of love ones.

Parkfield House

George holds regular services at Parkfield House Nursing Home. We plan to extend this ministry to other residential homes in the parish.

Youth Outreach

St John's has put the subject of Youth Outreach onto the agenda of the Churches Together in Long Lane Council. This is a long term vision, but one which we are resolved to explore in partnership with local churches.

Open Church

We plan to open up the Church as a resource for the local community - five days a week - building on the success of our current Wednesday opening. We are exploring the possibility of: hosting open jazz sessions for local musicians; and setting up a Christian Meditation group.

We plan to set up a program of Drop-Ins focused on particular issues (e.g. mental health, living with cancer, neo-natal bereavement). Liz Sands, in her role as Pastoral Assistant, will develop our contacts with local organisations, especially looking for partnerships within Hillingdon Hospital.