Our Vision

The vision at St John's is that a congregation 'from every tribe, language, people and nation' grow into a community united in their commitment to loving God, their neighbour and each other.

Part of the Ravensbourne Team

Together with the parish of the Ascension Blackheath we form the Ravensbourne Team. Our mission pledge is that we might be Together in Christ for others. Each church is working out what this means in its own context. As a team we are developing an initiative called Thrive! to help alleviate local poverty by offering money advice, ESOL classes and an after school club.

Realising the vision at St John's

A congregational strategy

We are laying the foundations for setting up a monthly pattern of small groups with a mission focus. The intention is for these all age groups to meet over lunch upstairs after our monthly all together worship. Based on the New Testament model of christian households the groups follow a pattern of prayer, mutual support and learning. They also develop a shared mission focus. Every member of the congregation who wants to participate is allocated to a group. This is then the smaller unit to which they belong, where they develop friendships and where they are challenged to live out their christian commitment in their homes, and places of work or study. It is also the group into which they can invite newcomers to the church. We hope the groups might be operate like an extended family or household where members care for each other, eat together, and occasionally enjoy outings and celebrations between the regular meetings. The structure of the monthly meeting on Sunday will deliberately move towards each group choosing a mission focussed activity. This might involve volunteering to help with an aspect of Thrive! or visiting in the parish to gather prayer requests, or sponsoring a fundraising walk, or fasting for a particular concern - the activities can be as varied as the people participating. Each group also decides on a name for their group. The introduction to this pattern of groups takes place over lunch on Sunday 5 December. The groups will then be launched in early 2011

A buildings strategy

Our building is a valuable resource we can offer our neighbourhood. It includes 2 meeting rooms, one of which is designed as a sports hall - the only space of its size in the neighbourhood. Facilitating activities of benefit to our neighbours is a way of demonstrating practical love for them. Through generous giving, fundraising and grants we have replaced the floor and kitchen upstairs and mended the 'Joseph' window, making the hall a safe space for the after school (see below). In the next 2 years we want to install a lift, decorate the hall and replace the lighting there.

A neighbourhood strategy

A survey of our neighbourhood carried out in 2005 demonstrated that we have a high proportion of children under 16 living near the church. We are also within walking distance of 3 primary schools in the parish. In 2006 and 2009 we conducted a survey of parents and childcare professionals living or working locally to find out whether high quality, low cost after school provision for 5s to 11s at St John's might be meeting a need. We were answered with a resounding 'Yes!' In 2006 parts of our parish were in the top 10% for child poverty. We are now in the top 5%. There are pockets of high unemployment in the area, contributing to the poverty levels. A small group has been fundraising to obtain the necessary money to start the after school club. This year one of our primary schools offered extra finance and we are in the process of recruiting staff in order to start in the autumn. The club will be in the upstairs hall and also use the church garden. On Saturday 23 October at 7.00pm we are organising a fundraising gospel concert on behalf of the after school

Can you help?

We need people with particular skills:

For the congregational small group strategy

each group needs

1. Someone who can maintain a list of members and keep them in touch with each other via text, email or even a bit of paper!
2. Someone who can hold a group to its task (training offered on Monday 1 Nov or Wed 17 Nov at 8.00pm at St John's)

contact Rev Christine bainbridge.c@tiscali.co.uk

For the buildings strategy

1. A volunteer with project management skills to be the link person for our architect and PCC as we see through the installation of the lift.
2. People who can complete grant applications.

Contact Eric Coudjoe e_coudjoe@yahoo.co.uk

For the neighbourhood strategy

1. Volunteers with childcare, voluntary sector, fund raising or thinking-outside-the-box skills to join the after school group. This group is developing into a committee that manages staff. We would welcome another active St John's member. Training courses are available if you are new to a management committee. Commitment is what is essential. Contact Tony Quayle tony.quayle@slam.nhs.uk
2. A playleader and play assistant for the after school. These are paid positions. See the church noticeboards for details.
3. Performers and supporters for the gospel concert. If you can help please contact Rev Christine bainbridge.c@tiscali.co.uk

Giving

For the lift

We have raised 17,000 already and are nearly half way there, depending on what kind of lift we install.

For the after-school club

We have raised 23,000 and need another 10,000 to secure salaries for a further year.

Please place any donation in an envelope marked either Lift fund or After School. Cheques should be payable to Parish of St John with Holy Trinity. If you are a UK taxpayer you can increase your donation by 28p for every 1 if you complete the gift aid declaration on your envelope.