St John the Evangelist

Sorry to say we have just heard of the sad death of Bishop John Taylor, formerly of St John’s, in the early hours of Thursday. As many will know, he had been ill for some time. More details when I get them, including funeral arrangements and, if people would like to attend the latter, I’ll see what can be arranged. DK

We have managed to establish that Women’s Aid would, indeed, be delighted to receive donations of old (but working) mobile phones, with their chargers, if possible. Sadly, it seems to be a frequent occurrence that violent partners damage the ladies’ phones, so replacements, however, basic, are always needed. Obviously, you’d be taking your own SIM card out of the phone and ‘wiping’ it before passing it on. Please speak to the Church Office if you need help with this and also attach a note to the phone, if possible, to say what network it works with. Again, the Church Office (07754 506140) can advise on this.

You are very welcome to join the Advent Group, via Zoom, on Thursdays 25/11, 02/12, 09/12 and 16/12, at 7.30pm. We will be following A Strange Christmas by Krish Kandiah, which can be obtained from https://www.waverleyabbeyresources.org/product/cover-to-cover-advent-a-strange-christmas/, priced £6.99 + P&P (and also from Amazon). The book has 31 days’ worth of readings for Advent and also provision for four group discussions. Please let me know if you’d like to be part of this. David Kerr / pastadmin@stjohnsdumfries.org / 07754 596140

Advance Notice of the Diocesan Advent Quiet Day, to be delivered on Saturday, 11/12/2021, via Zoom, 10.00 – 12.45, entitled God Has Visited His People.  More details on the lit noticeboard and the St J’s website. 

We had a great response last year from St J’s for MOOL’s Collection for Refugees. Items (in bags or similar, please) can be brought to the church office on Monday, 22, Friday, 26 or Sunday, 28/11/2021 In the meantime, please would you start looking out anything you might be able to contribute. See St J’s website or the lit noticeboard. I’ll be delivering any items collected here to MOOL on the Sunday afternoon.
David Kerr

There is a sign up sheet on the lit noticeboard if you would like to go to the Rev Harriet Johnston (the artist formerly known as Harriet Oxley)’s Institution at Holy Trinity, Kilmarnock at 3pm on Sunday, 12/12/2021. We would need to depart St J’s at about 1pm on that day, and you should perhaps bring a ‘piece’ to have at coffee time after our service. We need at least 10 people to make the minibus viable, but a smaller number than that should still be possible with cars. Return ‘fare’ (if we use the minibus) £13.

Mothers’ Union: 16 Days of Activism: begins 25/11/2021 with Zoom Witness at 13.00 for Thursdays in Black, towards a world without rape and violence. All welcome to join. Please wear a black top. Zoom Link open from 12.45: 857 0079 3718; Passcode: 308596. Screen wil be recorded.