As many of you will know, St John’s has been closed, except for services and events, for most of the past year. As the season turns, and we look to warmer days ahead we would like to begin to reopen, so that the sacred space can be enjoyed by our community, as well as pilgrims, tourists, and all in need of a place of prayer and stillness.
However, as you’ll also be aware, anti-social behaviour, including drinking and drug taking remains a problem within the churchyard and porch. The church is a place for all, but these behaviours, in what should be holy ground, are not ok. I hope that by having the church open, we can slowly bring it back to what it should be, a site of pilgrimage and spiritual significance for so many, regardless of their faith tradition.
The plan is for the church to be open, at first, more days than it is closed. In order to do this, we will need volunteers to sit in the church and welcome people in. If you can spare some time, whether once a month, or more regularly, I would love to hear from you. You do not need to be a church-goer, you can follow any spiritual path, you just need to be committed to helping to make St John’s, including the porch and churchyard a welcoming space for all. Re-opening the church will be the first step in a wider plan for the churchyard, including CCTV and creating more of a garden, for all to enjoy.
The current plan will look like this:
Monday – Community Cafe with Glastonbury Mental Health Network
Thursday – Lunchtime concert, keeping the church open afterwards
Friday – a new coffee morning and keeping the church open in the afternoon
Saturday – opening the church in the afternoon
Sunday – Worship in the morning and keeping the church open in the afternoon.
If you are able to volunteer on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon, please leave your details with the Parish Office on (01458) 830060, and someone will contact you, or you can email the Vicar directly at: revalicewatson@gmail.com Thank you. The Revd. Alice Watson, Vicar 