Welcoming Team
Welcoming at Saint John’s church The church is open on most week days during the year. There are two people on duty to welcome visitors. People come into the church for a variety of reasons. Some come to pray either sitting in a pew or going to a chapel. They may write prayers for a friend or a family member who is ill or has died and leave it in St. George’s chapel. Some people just want to sit in a quiet place away from the busy High Street. Quite a lot people light a votive candle . A lot of people are tourists from all over the world. Some visitors come to Glastonbury to see the history and some come for spiritual reasons. They come in to find out about the church’s history and often about the legends of Glastonbury. Some people are tracing their ancestors who were baptised or married or buried in St. John’s. Some British visitors ,with a previous connection to this church , are returning here after many years and they recollect their time in this church and often ask about different church members and vicars .A number of local people and families come in on a regular basis. Some come to pray and some go into the children’s play corner, which is well used during the week. The welcomers are asked many questions about the church, Christianity and the town. Some of the visitors have a look at the shop. They may also have refreshments. This is a good time to have a chat with our visitors about themselves.
Bellringers
The 15th-century tower of St John’s has a ring of eight bells. Local ringers serve two towers in Glastonbury: St Benedict’s Church not far away has a ring of six bells, although this belfry is currently closed for essential maintenance.
Practices take place at St. John’s on the second and fourth Thursday evenings each month, 7.30 – 9pm. Before Sunday services, the ringers are at St John’s on the second Sunday each month.
We are actively recruiting anyone over the age of ten who is interested in becoming part of the bellringing team. Please contact Mike Palmer, Tower Captain: Glastonbury.StJohn@bath-wells.org.
Friends of St Johns
The Friends of St John’s was formed in 1962 and consists of people who have the well being, mission and purpose of St John’s Church at heart. They work towards maintaining, preserving and improving the fabric, ornaments, furniture and monuments of the Church and its surroundings.
Just some of the contributions made include:
- Restoration of Parvise window, over the porch
- Repairs to bells and new bell ropes
- Cleaning and restoration of various pictures
- Churchyard paving
- Replacement of Glastonbury Thorn
- Gilding of crucifix and candle sticks
- Shrubs by war memorial
If you are interested in supporting St John’s through the Friends, please download the ‘Friends of St John’s Form’ (see Publications), complete it and return it to the Parish Office.