CORONAVIRUS
UPDATES -

We are working hard to keep our St John's Ranmoor Community connected and in touch with each other during this time of closure.  Our building may be closed but we are bringing you services live on a Sunday morning (also available to watch on you tube).  Through the week we have morning prayer and Compline.  If you would like to be part of the Zoom Community please contact us on onlineservices@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk or administrator@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk

In date order below we will list any news or information:

4th August 2020
Weddings are taking place here in Church, however there are still restrictions.  For the latest advise please follow the Church of England link here

2nd August 2020
Our services are now being filmed live on a Sunday morning to You Tube and to ZOOM.  Our you tube channel has all our previous services on to view. 

Youtube Channel is here 

 
24th July 2020
 Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport and will be mandatory in shops and in supermarkets from 24 July 2020. People are also encouraged to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces where there are people they do not normally meet, such as a place of worship. We strongly advise that face coverings should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.  See Full Article here 

22nd July
Congratulations to our first wedding couple of 2020.  Dan and Louisa married today in an informal way, but very loving and moving.  Huge congratulations to them both as they start married life together. 

2


8th July
Join us for our social event on Saturday tea time:
Music Social July 2020 on zoom


8th July 

We are delighted to now be open on Sundays for our 10.30am  worship.  All other services will continue to be on ZOOM.

2nd July
Our doors will open on Sunday morning at 10.30am for Parish Communion.  We will have social distancing in place.  Please see here the guidelines that we have to follow to ensure everyone is kept safe.
Guidelines for social distancing Download

1st July 
Weddings are now permitted in Church with up to a maximum of 30 people.  Please get in touch with us if you are interested in being married at St John's

In date order below we will list any news or information:

13th June   
Church Opening for Private Prayer
As you may be aware, the Government has announced that places of worship can open for private prayer from 15th June. Currently, the organ builders are working in St John’s. For their safety and that of worshippers we are not able to open the church routinely at present. If, however, individuals wish to pray in church, particularly in situations of pastoral need, they should contact Matthew on 07754 068 391.
 
Edward Barbieri
I am very sorry to announce that with regret, Edward Barbieri has decided to resign as our Director of Music.
We have benefitted hugely from his musical talent and commitment to St John’s and will always be enormously grateful for his hard work in the role.  We wish him every success in the future and are very grateful to the rest of the team who are currently sustaining our musical life.
I look forward to the time when our singers can use their talents to the full again.
Please feel free to phone me on 07754 068391.
Matthew
 
Quiz
Don’t forget Pete’s fun quiz every Friday at 3pm on the church ZOOM.  A great bit of fun to do this Friday afternoon especially when its so rainy and wet outside.
 
Children’s Activity This weeks gospel reading is Matthew 9.35–10.8,(9-23) Jesus’ friends go out to share all that he has taught them with the world.  On the website there are family activities, children’s activities and also colouring in.   https://www.stjohnsranmoor.org.uk/Groups/324755/Children_and_Young.aspx  
 
Bread for Sheffield - could you help staff a collection point at St. John's for flour that St. Mary’s Church Community Centre, in Bramall Lane, is running to raise funds for their food box scheme?https://breadforsheffield.wixsite.com/flour  Briefly, we need a couple of people from 10-12 each week on a Tuesday morning, starting on 23rd June.   If you are interested please contact John Green, who is a Trustee of the Centre, on 0798 545 9923
 
Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone again for your generous donations to the foodbank.  The next collection from St John’s will be on Wednesday 24th June 10-12noon from St John’s.  If you have anything you would like collected please let me know.   The things they are in need of are - tinned meat of any kind, - tinned fruit, - tinned veg, - mashed potatoes, - vegetable oil, - large size nappies (5+ or 6) toiletries of any kind continue to be really helpful and dried rice.
 
Pastoral Help
Our pastoral care team are working hard to make sure people in our Church community are cared for and supported.  If you know of anyone who may need support in our Church, or if you need any support at all please get in touch with me confidentially and I will pass on your name and contact to the pastoral care team.
 
Green tips
During this lockdown period we are finding new ways to be Eco friendly.  If you have any tips you would like to share, please let me know and I can include these in our weekly update.   Examples are:   Set up a bird feeder outside your window or Plant some bee-friendly seeds to help our little pollinators like bees and butterflies.
 
Christian Aid Walk
Alan Heath is taking on another challenge later in June and walking 30 miles. Attached are the details of the walk.  If you would like to make a donation you can do this through the justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stjohnsranmoorchristianaid2020 , or by making a payment by card to myself by calling 0114 230 1199
 
Standing at the sky’s edge – Given the theatre situation we have taken the decision to cancel our strip to Standing at the Skys Edge planned for January.  If you are still keen to go you can make a booking directly with the theatre.


10th June
Foodbank Collection.  Thank you to everyone again for dropping food and supplies for our foodbank collection.  The next collection will be on the 24th June 10am to 12noon at the Church drive.

7th June 
Quiz
Don’t forget Pete’s fun quiz every Friday at 3pm on the church ZOOM.  A great bit of fun to do this Friday afternoon especially when its so rainy and wet outside.
 Children’s Activity - Matthew 28.16-20 Jesus sends his disciples out to live for him and help others to live for him too. There are some children’s activities here to share with your children and / or grandchildren.
 
Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone again for your generous donations to the foodbank.  The next collection from St John’s will be on Wednesday 10th June 10-12noon from St John’s.  If you have anything you would like collected please let me know.   The things they are in need of are - tinned meat of any kind, - tinned fruit, - tinned veg, - mashed potatoes, - vegetable oil, - large size nappies (5+ or 6) toiletries of any kind continue to be really helpful and dried rice.
 
Pastoral Help
Our pastoral care team are working hard to make sure people in our Church community are cared for and supported.  If you know of anyone who may need support in our Church, or if you need any support at all please get in touch with me confidentially and I will pass on your name and contact to the pastoral care team.
 
Green tips
During this lockdown period we are finding new ways to be Eco friendly.  If you have any tips you would like to share, please let me know and I can include these in our weekly update.  The Clarks have suggested this composting bin which is slimline.  Here is the link to a suggested one:  https://www.hotbincomposting.com/compost-bins/hotbin-mini.html
 
Philips songs
You may be aware that Philip Walshaw has re-written some classic songs with a lockdown theme.  Not too serious and a nice bit of fun.  Philip has shared them with us and I have put them on the website under the Christian Aid section – the link is here   (Note another two have been updated this week – thanks Philip!)
 
Christian Aid Walk
Alan Heath is taking on another challenge later in June and walking 30 miles. Attached are the details of the walk.  If you would like to make a donation you can do this through the justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stjohnsranmoorchristianaid2020 , or by making a payment by card to myself by calling 0114 230 1199
 
Standing at the sky’s edge – Given the theatre situation- the Crucible have given an extension to pay for our tickets.  We still have 3 weeks to commit to our tickets.  We have 10 tickets left.  If the show does not go ahead we will be refunded in full immediately.  If you would like to come along on the 2nd January, please let me know.
 
Thy Kingdom Come
Please find here a reflection from Dr Cathy Rhodes for Sheffield Diocese which can be viewed here:   https://youtu.be/aq9cYtuJV28 

St. Mary’s appeal for financial support for food boxes with fresh food content – Please help support if you can this worthy cause providing fresh food boxes for needy people in our city.  https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/good-food-for-sheffield-families

Prayers
Please pray for those who have died:
Herbert Gordon and Jen Bailey
Please pray for those who are sick:
Audrey F,  Graham C, Kelly and Hazel
Please pray for those whose anniversary of death is this week:
Alfred Williamson, Joan (Doreen) May, John Mark Kirk, Lesley Bedford

30th May 
Quiz
Don’t forget Pete’s fun quiz every Friday at 3pm on the church ZOOM.  A great bit of fun.
Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone again for your generous donations to the foodbank.  The next collection from St John’s will be on Wednesday 10th June 10-12noon from St John’s.  If you have anything you would like collected please let me know.  I will send a list separately from the foodbank of items they are in need of.
Pastoral Help
Our pastoral care team are working hard to make sure people in our Church community are cared for and supported.  If you know of anyone who may need support in our Church, or if you need any support at all please get in touch with me confidentially and I will pass on your name and contact to the pastoral care team.
Philips songs
You may be aware that Philip Walshaw has re-written some classic songs with a lockdown theme.  Not too serious and a nice bit of fun.  Philip has shared them with us and I have put them on the website under the Christian Aid section – the link is here to see the videos: https://www.stjohnsranmoor.org.uk/Groups/342079/Christian_Aid.aspx
 Christian Aid Walk
Alan Heath is taking on another challenge later in June and walking 30 miles.
Alan Heath Walk
If you would like to make a donation you can do this through the justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stjohnsranmoorchristianaid2020 , or by making a payment by card to myself by calling 0114 230 1199

 

18th May 
Ascension Day Service
On Thursday 21st in the evening at 7pm there will be a Hallam Deanery Ascension Day Service.  This is not on the usual St John's ZOOM link so please email Claire administrator@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk for access.

17th May 
Churchyard - In the light of the Government’s new guidelines on individual meeting, we are pleased to offer St John’s churchyard as a place where individuals can meet.  Please continue to observe social distancing.
 
Ascension Day
We are having a  Deanery Zoom Ascension Day service starting at 7pm on 21st May.
 
Study Group
We shall be running a new study group over the summer. The group will run on Zoom on Thursday afternoons from 3.00 -  4.30pm. The first meeting will be on Thursday 21st May.
The book we have chosen for our studies is ‘How Then Shall We Live?’ by Sam Wells. Rev Dr Sam Wells is the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields. He is a well known theologian, preacher, author and broadcaster. The book considers some of the most pressing contemporary political, social and moral challenges facing us at the present time.  
It is written in three sections:-
  • Engaging the World
  • Being Human
  • Facing Mortality
We intend to start by looking at the first section, Engaging the World, which offers approaches to coming  to terms with some of the biggest global issues facing us today.
The book is available online from Amazon, the Book Depository, Eden Books & Blackwells among others. It is also available as a Kindle book. (ISBN-184258623 or 978-1848258624). As delivery times are quite protracted on some sites we also intend offering a scanned copy of the chapters we are studying, by email.
If you would like to join the group please let Claire know or email me directly. sandra.green70@gmail.com We do hope you will be able to join us.   
 
PCC – The next meeting of the PCC will be on Monday 18th May 2020 at 7pm on ZOOM.
 
Sheffield Star Learning Together supplement – the attached was in last weeks Sheffield Star.  If you did not receive this you might like to share it with families you know.
 
Coach Trip – Sorry to let you know but the Coach trip to the seaside has sadly been cancelled on 11th July 2020.  We will try to book one in again soon to have something to look forward to.
 
Standing at the Sky’s Edge – We still have some tickets for Standing at the Sky’s edge – Crucible Theatre trip. On Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 2.15pm to see Standing at the sky’s edge.  It is first come first serve for tickets – we have 25 booked at a cost of £36 each.  Normal price for our seats is £41. Payment to be made to St John’s Church by the end of May – I will confirm this later.  All I need for now, is confirmation that you would like tickets.  This will give us something to look forward to which is important during this time of lockdown – I hope you agree!  If you want to know more about this phenomenal musical born in Sheffield with incredible music by Richard Hawley please click here:  https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/news/standing-at-the-skys-edge-headed-for-london


10th May 
Christian Aid week has begun and we have many exciting activities happening.  Check out our Christian Aid Pages.  

6th May
Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week is happening here at St John's from Sunday 10th May.  Please visit our Christian Aid Pages to find out more....

29th April 

Cathy Rhodes - Congratulations to Cathy who has been appointed as Sheffield Diocese Environment Officer.  We are all very proud of you Cathy! For more information please read the article here
 

28th April

This Sunday Matthew is starting Choral Evensong.  Join ZOOM at 6.30pm 
Evensong

26th April 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Services on Sunday.  It was lovely to see just under 100 people live on ZOOM.

22nd April
TOM DAKIN has been overwhelmed by the  thoughtfulness shown by so many on the occasion of his recent 90th birthday. He hopes that, in these days of self-isolation, everyone will accept this rather impersonal way of showing his thanks and gratitude to all concerned. It was a fab day and one we will never forget. Thank you all very much.
 
22nd April
Hymns and readings for Sunday 26th April can be viewed here

22nd April
Sheffield deliveries and local shops that are open - a list can be downloaded here

21st April 
Burngreave Foodbank – We are having an appeal for the Burgnreave foodbank.  If you are able to safely donate any items please do so as this is such a busy time for them and they are in desperate need for long life milk, tinned veg, baked beans, tinned meat, tinned tomatoes etc. please can you drop them at the doors of St John’s next  Wednesday morning between 10am and 12noon (in a bag please).  We will then take the items across to the foodbank where they have had to close doors and just to home deliveries to people.  If you have items that you would like to donate and cannot leave the house, please let me know and we will try and arrange to collect from you (if you are local!). 
 
Bridgedale – you may have seen in the Sheffield Star or on Facebook that there are a number of staff staying with the home. We should be very proud of having such a wonderful care home in our Parish.   Mary Grover donated some Jigsaws to the home which were gratefully received.  If you are able to donate any shop bought treats or gifts to the home we are sure they will be gratefully received if you leave them at the door of the home and ring the bell.   https://www.thestar.co.uk/health/coronavirus/sheffield-care-home-still-covid-19-free-nearly-month-after-staff-moved-spend-lockdown-residents-having-good-system-all-weve-needed-2539405

Pete Mckee - Artists – Any budding artists out there that would like to learn how to draw – Pete Mckee, our Sheffield artist is doing a weekly workshop on a Wednesday on You tube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpNMIjkGJ-vxuOhsN2xxTA  We have had a go at it, and its really good fun. 

17th April -
Hymns for Sunday 19th April can be downloaded here

14th April 
Advice for parents if there child is ill during coronavirus has been published.  Many parents are unsure what to do.  To download the information please click here

12th April
We had a wonderful service of Holy Communion and Compline today on ZOOM.    
Thank you to everyone who joined us - it was lovely to be able to share this with you.
To download Matthews sermon from Easter Sunday Holy Communion please click here

10th April 

The Bells of St John's
Richard Noble our tower captain, has to check that the belfry is safe and okay during this time.  On Easter Sunday morning at 10.25 Richard will chime a bell until 10.30 for our Zoom service.  This is a one off and the bells will remain silent until we are safely at the other side of period of closure.
Richard Noble has recorded our Bells being rung.  Listen to our Bells ringing out here.

Here are some Easter Candles that have been lit around the Parish:
Easter Candles Montage
Here are some Easter Gardens around our Parish:
Easter Garden Montage

9th April 

APCM –  As planned the APCM will take place on Sunday 26th April at 12noon on ZOOM (Details to follow).  The PCC Elections and Wardens Elections have been postponed until we are out of lockdown and able to do face to face meetings.  
 
Christian Aid – Christian Aid week is not cancelled this year – it is even more important that we try and get behind it.  We are supporting Malcolm and Janet to try and put together a week of activities and fundraising for this important cause.  If you would like to help be involved, please get in touch with administrator@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk or Malcolm and Janet Anker. 

7th April 
Standing at the Sky’s edge – Crucible Theatre trip
. –We have organised a trip for the Church Community on Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 2.15pm to see Standing at the sky’s edge.  It is first come first serve for tickets – we have 25 booked at a cost of £36 each.  Normal price for our seats is £41. Payment to be made to St John’s Church by the end of May – I will confirm this later.  All I need for now, is confirmation that you would like tickets.  This will give us something to look forward to which is important during this time of lockdown – I hope you agree!  If you want to know more about this phenomenal musical born in Sheffield with incredible music by Richard Hawley please click here:  https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/news/standing-at-the-skys-edge-headed-for-london  contact administrator@stjohnsramoor.org.uk
 
6th April 2020 - Easter Wishes and Service Times for Holy Week can be downloaded here:  EASTER
 

Downloads for the Services this week are here - please click on the one you would like to download:
Hymns for Maundy Thursday
Hymns for Good Friday
Hymns for Easter Sunday
Compline
Holy Communion before Easter Sunday
Holy Communion Easter Day onwards
Morning Prayer before Easter Sunday
Morning Prayer Easter Day onwards

3rd April 2020 - Palm Sunday Service  (Click here to watch the pre-recorded service)


Join us for our Palm Sunday Communion with reading of the Passion.  Click on the you tube link to watch now or at a time to suit you - or join us live at 10.30am on Palm Sunday via ZOOM.  If you have not already registered to do this contact: onlineservices@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk

Please click on the following to download the hymns for Palm Sunday:   HYMNS

 

2nd April 2020 Update for our Children:
Please click on the link here to take you to our pages for children. We hope you enjoy the activities.  HERE

31st March 2020 - Holy Week Reflections written by Revd Bridget Brooke.  These can be downloaded here.


28th March 2020 - Christian Aid and the impact of Coronoavirus - please download the information here which has been provided by Malcolm and Janet Anker.

27th March 2020 - Service for Passion Sunday
Please click on the following to download the files:
Passion Service
Holy Communion
Hymns

Matthew and Cathy have pre-recorded this service for Passion Sunday and it is available to view now on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4oQMgF4h-Q

You are welcome to use the service sheet before Sunday and watch the YouTube video in your own time.  You can also join the Zoom Conference Call at 10.30am on Sunday morning. Matthew will lead Communion and the service will be live on conference call.   To join the call, please click on this link.  

You therefore have the option to do the service in your own time or live with others on the conference call. Either way, we encourage you to join in the hymns and responses using the attached service sheet   You can also share the YouTube link with anyone who may wish to take part.

This is a first for St John’s so we really appreciate any feedback you may have.   Please reply to this email or speak to Matthew.   Our thoughts and prayers are with all our community at this difficult time, and don’t hesitate to get in touch.   

26th March 2020 - RAINBOWS:
Some of our children have coloured rainbows and put them in their windows.  Here are a couple from Lilly and Freddie, Sammy and Heidi:
Rainbows

26th March 2020 - 

A national salute is set to take place to honour the NHS staff working hard through the coronavirus pandemic.

In a gesture of appreciation to frontline medical personnel, people across the nation have been invited to join a mass round of applause on their doorsteps, out their windows or balconies on Thursday (tonight) at 8pm.

Organisers of the "Clap For Carers" campaign - which started online - say it is being staged because "during these unprecedented times they [NHS staff] need to know we are grateful".



25th March 2020 - A prayer for those affected by Coronavirus (Taken from Church of England.org)

Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
Amen.



24th March 2020 - Compline, Morning Prayer and Ranmoor Afternoon Tea (ZOOM)
 
If you are able to download ZOOM onto an app or website  you can join in the Ranmoor Afternoon Tea at 3pm daily
Monday - Sunday 3.00 pm to 4.30pm  
This week's topics are:

  • Monday - talk about your Dad

  • Tuesday - your favourite book

  • Wednesday - what good will come out of Coronavirus?

  • Thursday - music with Joy

  • Friday - what's for tea (my favourite dish or takeaway)

  • Saturday - gardener's question time!

Monday - Saturday 10.00 am - Morning Prayer (Click here to download)
 
8.00 pm - Monday - Saturday - Compline  (click here to download)

Please email Brian.parfett@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk for login details.


21st March 2020 - Ranmoor Afternoon Tea Club (RAT) - Message from Brian Parfett - 
Yesterday, as some of you know, was the inaugural meeting of the Ranmoor Afternoon Tea (RAT) Club.  The topics of discussion were very varied.  It was fantastic to see and hear familiar faces.  The group agreed that the RAT Club should have the opportunity to meet daily. at 3pm.  You can join using any computer, laptop, tablet or Smartphone, so you could be outside or indoors.  We will be keeping a safe distance from each other!  If you are on wifi, then there is no cost to you to join.  If you are using data - I haven't a clue about the app's data usage or cost. 
The system will take up to 100 participants, though controlling a conversation with that number would be challenging.  We can therefore invite other people to join, this would be best done by asking them to send me their Email address.  Please give them my Brian.parfett@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk address.  In this way I can keep you all posted about any special events or schedule changes.
 You don't need to join the RAT Club at the start or stay to the end - it's up to you.  The idea is though that you bring a cuppa.   Todays's topic will be house plants, please bring one along and tell us why it's important to you.  
 Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, I am hoping to get a volunteer - hint, hint - to read some poetry and lead us in prayer for the world's recovery.  I will update you all on how we can make further use of the Zoom software - further invites are on their way to join the mens virtual walking group on Monday morning and the Craft & Chatteer group (Monday afternoon) are going 'on line'Our apologies if you have already received this information from Brian, we just want everyone to know this social gathering at a distance has started.  One of yesterday's participants has already used the free version of Zoom to meet up with her family via a video link instead of not being able to see them during a phone call.  We are sure that will continue long after our wonderful world has recovered from the virus.


21st March 2020 For a limited period only, world-renowned theologian, Professor Tom Wright has kindly made this wonderful online Bible study resource Paul and His Letter to the Philippians: Small Group Edition free of charge (normally £149.00!), but only in the next 20 hours.
In his own words:"Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians during a time of deep personal trials, and his words are especially appropriate right now, especially for those who can’t get out to meet with other believers."   Please do make the most of this wonderful resource if this is of interest. Click here to access it.

21st March 2020 - Wash your hands and say the Lords Prayer twice - a wonderful suggestion from our dear Bridget.  download the poster here
lords prayer wash your hands


19th March 2020 - If you have concerns about marriage or baptism that are forthcoming, please see the Church of England website for guidance that we are following :  https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches#na  Please contact either Claire or Matthew:  administrator@stjohnsranmoor.org.uk or matthew.rhodes@sjtohnsranmoor.org.uk and we will be happy to help with any queries you may have

19th March 2020 -  Click here for Reflections and Readings for:Mothering Sunday 2020

17th March 2020Important Announcement about Suspension of Services:

We are sad to announce that, in the light of Government guidance and following advice from the Archbishops, public worship is suspended at St John’s.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
The Archbishops have called for a day of prayer on Sunday 22nd March and we encourage everyone to pray for all those affected by coronavirus.
St John’s will be open this Sunday for private prayer between 10 and 12 and between 5 and 7 for those who are not in at risk groups. You are asked to keep a safe distance (2 metres) from others.
In the days and weeks ahead we will be using our website and social media to share our Christian hope in new ways.
Please keep in touch by phone and email. Help us to care for the most isolated and vulnerable. And pray.
 
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38-39

Matthew
17th March 2020

Claire Webber, 18/03/2020