Welcome! Whether you have been to St John’s hundreds of times before, or this is your first visit, you are so welcome! It is great to have you with us! We strive to be an inclusive church community for all people, made up of different ages and backgrounds. We open ourselves to God in word and sacrament, enriched by the music of the Anglican choral tradition. We care deeply about serving the local community, offering support groups, social events, community projects, and more. Find out what is going in our church and local community this week, and how you can be involved! Speak to someone or get in touch using the contact details, if you would like more information or have any questions. We are here to help!
Parish News
Parish News Recruiting
Sidespeople and Intercessors – We’re looking for more volunteers to be sidespeople (welcoming and giving out books) and intercessors (writing and reading the prayers) at our 9.30am Sung Eucharists. Please speak to Chris or Will if you can.
First Communion – If your child is Year 3 and above, and would be interested in taking their first communion as part of the Patronal Festival on 22nd June, please chat to Chris and fill in the details on the sheet provided at the back of church.
Christian Aid Updates – Thank you for your donations for the Christian Aid Myanmar Appeal – we raised £211.50. Your support is very much appreciated. There is also still time to make a donation for Christian Aid Week either through the Christian Aid envelopes available at the back of the church or through the Just Giving Website - go the The Loughton Christian Aid Group 2025 page to make your donation. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the collections at the underground and Sainsbury’s. I will update you once I have the totals. Sally Fairweather.
Giving to the Church – A reminder that our Parish Giving Scheme allows you to donate regularly or as a one-off to the mission, ministry, and outreach of St John’s Loughton. This is the best way to give directly. Please use the QR code here or the link: https://loughtonchurch.org.uk/donate/
Parish Events
Chris on Annual Leave – Chris is off work from 13th – 25th July so if you need anything, please get in touch with Sammy, Will, or Barbara. Whilst Chris is away, there will be no Wednesday Morning Prayer as Will is away for study that day.
Vocal Coaching with Lily Barker – I offer one-to-one vocal coaching for students interested in Classical, Musical Theatre, and Pop. Whether you're preparing for a performance, building technique, or exploring your voice, sessions are tailored to suit your goals. Recently graduated in Music from King’s College London, with vocal training from The Royal Academy of Music. To book a session: call 07759 559811 or email lilybarkervocalcoaching@gmail.com
Service Live-streaming – During July and August we will be reducing the amount of services that we live-steam. Unfortunately our team isn’t quite big enough to cover all the services over the summer. We apologise to everyone who watches online. If logging into a computer doesn’t fill you with terror, then we’d love to hear from you as streaming some of the services really is that simple, particularly the 8am! Please contact Sam Davies if you feel you could help particularly for one or two Sundays over the summer.
Car Park Reminder – A reminder that if you use our car park that you need to enter your car registration into the portal at the entrance of the church building or the Parish Hall, or through the QR codes on posters. If you don’t do this, the company could issue you a fine! You can also find links to input your registration here: https://loughtonchurch.org.uk/information-/where-is-st-johns/
Foodbank – Thank you so very much for your continuing support for those in our community who find themselves with no alternative but to turn to the Foodbank for their basic needs. In June, July and August 2024, 2,844 people received food parcels at one of our hubs or through a delivery – that number, in just 3 months, included 1,295 children. And that number doesn’t include the Food in School Holidays deliveries that were made in August 2024. This summer we will again be delivering Food in School Holidays to families who find the school holidays a struggle - 150 families have already been referred to us. We are so grateful for your donations, but we continue to need them! If it is more convenient for you, donations can be made through the online platform Give Today where items you purchase are delivered to us within a week. Or, when you are able to, please continue to leave items in the box in the church porch. The things we need don’t change much – tinned meat, fish, fruit & veg, coffee, tea, instant mash, UHT milk and juice, toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pet food. THANK YOU ALL!
Parish Events
Monday Community Coffee & Chat – Drop in from 11am-12pm for a cuppa and chat every Monday in the Parish Hall! All are welcome to join us!
Bell Ringing Practice – We’re so glad the bell ringing group is growing! Practice is Tuesdays from 7.30pm in the Bell Tower and people willing to learn a new skill are very welcome to join them!
Mother’s Union at Pleshey – A reminder that MU members are visiting Pleshey Diocesan Retreat House for a quiet day on Thurs 17th July, led by Rev’d Will. Therefore, there will be no meeting of the Mother’s Union in Church that day.
“Sing a New Song!” – Join our new children’s choir every Thursday after 4pm (singing runs from 4.30-5.30pm). Although we originally advertised for Y4 children and above, it is much more flexible now we have a mix of children singing every week. If you have any questions speak to Will! More information and FAQs here: www.loughtonchurch.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-choir/
20s & 30s Group – On Sunday 20th July, the 20s & 30s Group are going on a forest walk! If you are 18-40ish and would like to join us, speak to Rev’d Will.
Will’s Priesting – Please save the weekend of 27/28th September 2025 in your diaries. On the Saturday morning at St John’s, Will shall be ordained priest by Bishop Adam and then hold a small First Mass in the afternoon (followed by food/drinks!). On the Sunday, he will preside at our Sung Eucharist and Family Eucharist for the first time! Everyone welcome and more details to follow…
The Well – are planning a walk on the 20th in Epping Forest. For anyone who would like to join them, they will be meeting at 10am at the Stubbles Car Park at the top of Connaught Ave.
Contact Details Rev’d Chris Davies (Day off: Friday) rector.stjohnsloughton@gmail.com | 020 8508 2912 Rev’d Barbara Read (Day off: Monday and Friday) revbarbararead@talktalk.net | 01992 679375 Rev’d Will Rose-Moore (Day off: Friday) revdwillrm@gmail.com | 07858 858975 Parish Office – Sammy Alder (Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm) loughton.church@outlook.com | 020 8532 0060 Social Media – Keep in touch with us online. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @StJohnsLoughton. Give us a follow and make sure to tag us in your posts, pictures, and stories of your time spent at church – we’d love to see them and share them, where possible. You can find us on our website www.loughtonchurch.org.uk. The notices are also available via email, just ask.
Live-Streaming – We are pleased that we are able to livestream all our services on St John’s Loughton YouTube, whether you want to tune in live on a Sunday morning or catch up later on @StJohnsLoughton.
Safeguarding – We are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults, following Church of England guidance and policies. For more information, please speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) on 07351 422153 or look at the safeguarding pages on the Chelmsford Diocese website.
Giving – If you would like to donate to the mission, ministry, and community outreach of our church, we would prefer you to make a regular or one-off donation with Gift Aid through the Parish Giving Scheme, which you can access using the QR code below. Alternatively, there is a contactless machine at the back of church or a box or tray for cash. Thank you for your donation!