St John the Evangelist

And, as always, if you need us, you can contact

• The Rector on 01387 254126 / 07487 653069 / rector@stjohnsdumfries.org
• The Church Office on 07754 596140 / pastadmin@stjohnsdumfries.org

Catering: For many years, our catering, food hygiene and so on has been overseen by Jenny Lawson. Many people have kindly assisted with all sorts of aspects, but it has been Jenny who has taken responsibility for making sure we keep everyone safe, that we comply with Health & Safety and Food Hygiene regulations…and that we don’t run out of biscuits! Having done this so faithfully for so many years, Jenny feels it’s now time to step back. We’re delighted that Mary Solley has agreed to step into this rôle, but we cannot let the occasion go by without recording our sincere thanks to Jenny for all that she has done for so long. St J’s has built up a reputation for welcome and, specifically, hospitality over a number of years, and Jenny’s hard work and devotion to this aspect of Congregational life has been a large part of that. Thank you from all of us.

Thank you to all who contributed to last week’s Harvest Sunday Retiring Collections. A total of just shy of £500 was given; some still coming in. Monies will be divided between relief efforts in Afghanistan (75%) and to meet the cost of repairing or replacing, as necessary, the gratings by the High Altar (25%). The gratings, apparently repaired a number of years ago, are now dangerous and have given way under people on occasions recently. (See photos on lit noticeboard)

With apologies for the short notice, the Institution of the Revd Lee Johnston (otherwise known as ‘Mr Harriet Oxley’!) will be at 7pm on Thursday, 14/10/2021 at St Andrew’s, Ardrossan. Please let David Kerr know (07754 596140) if you’d like to go. We’re not expecting there to be sufficient numbers to need the minibus, but we’ll see.

Also from Harvest Sunday (03/10/2021), we have restarted our regular collection of items for First Base Food Bank. There are some stackable crates beside the lit noticeboard just inside the glass doors, into which items can be placed.

Advance Warning of a couple of upcoming items:

• We are beginning a new Book Discussion, via Zoom, on Thursday, 21/10/2021 at 7.30pm, We will be following John Ortberg’s Get Out of the Boat!. More details, including Zoom joining instructions, from Janice: 07487 653069.
• Zoom Prayer Meetings will resume, from Thursday, 28/10/2021 at 6.30pm. Again, details from Janice: 07487 653069.
• There will be a Taizé-style service in the church at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 02/11/2021 (shortly after the Tuesday evening Eucharist, but you can come to either, or both). It would be helpful, but not essential, if you could book in (07572 006290) before 4pm on the Monday.

It was good to hold the AGM in person this year and to be able to meet Jennifer McDairmant, our new Treasurer. She took us through the accounts which showed a deficit on the running costs of the church of £4000. Whilst this is considerably less than previous years the past year has given us many fewer opportunities for activities thus reducing the expenditure.
Ann Beaton, Linda Hyles and Paula Ward were elected to the Vestry for 3 years and Gill Swales, Amie Byers and Kay Solaja agreed to continue as our representatives to the Diocesan Synod and Regional Council. Thank you to all who came.
If you would still like a copy of the papers for the AGM please contact the Church Office: pastadmin@stjohnsdumfries.org / 07754 596140
Margaret Morton

The latest edition of the SEI Newsletter is on the lit noticeboard and the St J’s website. Paper copies can also be had, on request, from the Office.

The October Mothers’ Union meeting will take place on Thursday 21st October, when there will be a talk by Kim Tofield, Churches of Dumfries – History and Architecture. Despite its name, MU is an inclusive organisation, supporting families and projects around the world. Anyone is welcome to come along – you do not have to be a mother, married, or even female! We will gather in the Hall from 12.30, with prayers at 12.45 and lunch at 1pm. Due to Covid restrictions we are unable to serve soup as we normally do, but please bring your own sandwich lunch, and tea and coffee will be provided. MU members look forward to welcoming you!

To Filioque or Not to Filioque: The Warrant of Holy Scripture: Revd Dr Michael Hull. SEI Lecture 2021, Thursday 28/10/2021 at 17.00 University Chapel, Glasgow University Gilmorehill Campus.This is the second time the University of Glasgow and the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway have hosted the Lecture; the turn-out the first time was the best ever, so let’s ensure it is the same this time. We regret that due to University Covid regulations there will not be a reception following the Lecture, simply a time of Q and A. Details of the Lecture, lecturer and registration are to be found at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/to-filioque-or-not-to-filioque-the-warrant-of-holy-scripture-tickets-169336888191 [or, if you’re reading this on paper, the Church Office] Registration will close at 9 pm on Monday, 25 October, 2021. In person in the University Chapel or online via Zoom. This is the sixth such SEI Lecture, held annually and hosted in turn by one of the four ancient Scottish Universities and the relevant Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The papers are then published in the SEI Journal.