Notice Board
What's happening at St John’s
Sunday 13th September
Sung family Eucharist-10:30am
with Rev Stuart F Gray
Tuesday 15th September
Said Eucharist 6pm
All are Welcome to our Services
Revd Stuart F Gray BD PGDE
Broad Street, Alloa, Clackmannanshire FK10 1AN
Tel No 01259 724550
Email office@sjea.org.uk
Website - www.stjohnschurchalloa.org.uk
Facebook- https://en-gb.facebook.com/stjohnsalloa
Twitter - St John’s Alloa @StJohnAlloa
Instagram – stjohnsalloa
ST JOHN'S ALLOA NEWSLETTER
13TH SEPTEMBER 2026
Growing in God's love and sharing it
READINGS FOR 13TH SEPTEMBER
Join us this Sunday, 13th September, as we explore the teachings of the Gospel and grow together in God's love.
Theme
This week we will focus on Forgiveness - our need to be Forgiven and to Forgive
Song of Moses
SERVICE TIMES
Sunday 10.30am Family Sung Eucharist until around 11.30am then all are welcome to stay for refreshments and time to chat.
Tuesday 6pm Said Eucharist (Quieter Service) until 6.30pm.
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ST JOHN'S NEWS
This year's logo for the Season of Creationtide
We are now in the season of Creationtide. The Orthodox Church proposed A Season of Creation for the entire Christian Church way back in the 1980s and most Churches now take part during September on the Feast of St Francis.
It is a time to look at how we act as God’s stewards of Creation, to think about and give thanks for those who grow, harvest, and produce our food on land and on the seas.
We also focus on our need to share our worlds resources, and we invite you to bring a donation for The Gate foodbank.
This is an Ecumenical VT from world Faith Leaders for this year’s season https://seasonofcreation.org/
The Season runs from 1st September to 4th October which is the Feast of St Francis. Have a look round St John's each Sunday and see if you can spot what's been added since last week to reflect the season as we move towards Harvest on 27th September.
Safe Families Caitlin from Safe Families is coming to speak to us on Sunday 20th Sept on their work in Alloa and the Gospel values of their organisation. Caitlin writes:
Safe Families and Home for Good From an hour to a lifetime, we believe that the church has an integral role to play in seeing children and families flourish in their local communities. We exist as a charity to encourage, inspire and equip the church to answer the call of biblical hospitality. This looks like resourcing churches, training volunteers to support overwhelmed families in their community and inspiring individuals to explore fostering, adoption or supported lodgings. We do this so no family feels alone, and every child has a home where they can flourish. You can find out more info on our website safefamilies.uk or get in touch directly caitlinfrew@safefamilies.uk. Looking forward to being with you all next week!
Bible Study Group This new group led by Alison will meet every two weeks after the Tuesday evening service (i.e. after 6.30pm) starting on 22nd September. We will look at the Book of Jonah and will mutually explore what the scripture means for us today. All are welcome.
The Macmillan Coffee Morning at St John's will be on Friday 25th September from 10am-12noon, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. There will be delicious home baking and one or two surprises too. Please come along and bring your friends and family.
Doors Open Days at St John's are 26th and 27th September. There will be a model railway in the church on Saturday 26th. On 27th Sept we will also hold our Harvest Service.
Deposit for Iona Pilgrimage 2027 Please bring the deposit of £85 by the last Sunday in September, 27th.
Music Group We are going to have a singing group to learn some music and have a sing along. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 29th September after the evening service (i.e. after 6.30pm). If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, do come along.
The Fellowship Group meets on Tuesday 13th October at 1.30pm for friendly chat and delicious tea and cake. Everyone is welcome.
Liturgy Day On Saturday 31st October, Stuart will lead a day of reflection on ministry. More information to follow.
The Flower Group really needs some additional people to help decorate the church. Don't worry if you've never arranged flowers, there's lots of friendly help. Speak with Daphne to find out more.
Tai Chi Cafe takes place every Thursday from 2-3pm followed by refreshments at St John's. This gentle but effective exercise for all abilities is popular with both church members and friends from the wider community. And it's a very friendly group. Talk with Laurene if you'd like to know more or contact taichicafe@warpmail.net
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NEWS FROM ROUND AND ABOUT
Windows
into Heaven: Praying with Icons workshop will take place
on Saturday 19th September, 2.00–4.00 p.m. at
St Mary’s Church Hall,
Dunblane. It will be led by Louise Younger, who will introduce
those present to the world of iconography and invite them to discover icons as
a pathway to prayer, contemplation and encounter. Please contact Nerys at rector@stmarysdunblane.org
to let her know you
are coming.
Hope for Creation is a residential conference organised by the Scottish Episcopal Net Zero team, which will take place between 20 to 21 October in Stirling, bringing together people interested in practical action to tackle climate change in the Scottish church context. Further information on the conference is available via the Eventbrite event page: https://www.evenall out religious persecutiontbrite.co.uk/.../hope-for-creation
The UN and EU calls out religious persecution The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has demanded firmer action to prevent the rise in religious persecution worldwide. Mr Guterres said that no religious community could feel safe “when one group is persecuted”. The UN was committed to “building societies where all faiths can live and worship in peace”, he said.
UK sanctions against Israel appropriate says Christian Aid. Chief Rabbi describes the move as ‘truly a dark day for British Jews’ Read the full report in The Church Times.
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BEFORE YOU GO....
Park and Pray A church near Poznan in Poland has recently refurbished its car park and asks local people who park there to pay for their parking by saying prayers - more prayers for longer stays. Fr Paweł Kaczmarek told Polsat News, “We chose a currency that, I would say, everyone can afford.” Masses, services, and parish meetings are exempt, with the sign reminding visitors that “grace has no parking meter.”
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