The History of this charming church is contained elsewhere in this site. The Church is part of a United Parish with St Perter's Freshford, and St Mary's Limpley Stoke.  It has a seating capacity for about 160 people and is set in a beautiful well maintained churchyard on the outskirts of the village. The tower contains a carillon of three bells There is a small choir that takes part in sung services, and there is a space set apart towards the back of the Church for small children to occupy themselves during  the services. PRIEST IN CHARGE The Priest in Charge, the Reverend Jonathan Hoffmann, was licensed by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverent Peter Price, on 24 July 2006.  He is married to Kate and has one daughter called Olivia OFFICERS  Secretary                      Christine Nalder Treasurer                      Jo Helps SERVICE TIMES IN THE PARISH Services Officers Friends of St John’s Priest in Charge Monthly Newsletters Parish Development Plan Filling Station NEWSLETTERS PARISH DEVELOPMENT PLAN  A number of meetings have been held during 2010 with the aim of establishing a plan for the future development of mission within the Parish  A final document outlining the findings and decisions was drawn up and teams have now been formed to take this forward FRIENDS OF ST JOHN  This is an organisation that exists with the objective of bringing together all those in the local community who have an interest in maintaining this ancient Church and wish to help in raising money for this purpose.  The Committee that runs it  is a sub-committee to the Main Church Committee and its chariman, Mary Worgan is appointed by it.  The Friend's Committee runs its own programmne of events (see diary of events) and decides how the money raised is to be used.  Any projects proposed must be agreed by the Main Church Committee. FILLING STATION The choir at St John’s is undergoing both Re-formation and Reformation under it’s director, David King. It is being Re-formed so that more people can enjoy the benefits of singing in the choir. To achieve this the rehearsal pattern is being changed so that there are a mix of Thursday and Friday evening rehearsals, members of the choir will be expected to attend at least two of the rehearsals each month. The focus of the choir is being Reformed so that is focusses on a series of special services throughout the year – Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas Carols, Lent, Easter and choirs festivals including those in Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals. The current focus is Remembrance Sunday followed by the Christmas Carol service. The choir will continue to sing at the Sung Communion on the first Sunday of the month, the Sung Morning Prayer on the third Sunday of the month and at the Parish Communion on the fifth Sunday of the month as needed. The choir for these services will be formed from those choir members who are coming to the service. If you are interested in joining the choir – and anyone from 6 to 80plus is welcome – please contact the Choir Director, David King on 01225 710127 or email: musicdhk@btopenworld.com to find out more and get a copy of the choir diary. The choir has a web site for further information www.sites.google.com/site/hintonchoir/ Re-formation and Reformation CHOIR The Cross family held an information event at South Stoke village hall to publicise their revised proposals for a Natural Burial ground at Clearbrook farm, Midford.   A good number of mainly local people came to view the displays and read the answers to objections raised about the previous Planning Application. If anyone would like copies of the information email joanna@joannaaspin.com or write to Joanna at The Tallet, Clearbrook Farm, Midford, Bath, BA2 7DE. An advertised trip to view the Natural Burial ground at Usk, (where more than 100 burials have taken place without any visible changes to the field) has been cancelled as people that were interested found their concerns were adequately covered at the meeting. NATURAL BURIAL GROUND NEW CHURCH LIGHTING and SOUND SYSTEM The new lighting system in the Church is complete and a special service to dedicate it and celebrate its effects was held at 4.00 pm on Sunday 20 November. We have also now an amplification system in addition to the audio system. 19th SUNDAY SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT 9.30am St Mary’s Holy Communion (BCP) Rev J Hoffmann 9.30am St John’s Morning Prayer Mr H Wright 11.00am St Peter’s Morning Prayer Rev J Hoffmann 22nd WEDNESDAY ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm St John’s Holy Communion with Ashing Rev J Hoffmann 26th SUNDAY 1st SUNDAY OF LENT 9.30am St John’s Morning Worship Rev J Hoffmann 11.00am St Peter’s Holy Communion Rev J Hoffmann 4.00pm St Mary’s 4 O’Clock Service Rev J Hoffmann 6.00pm St Mary’s Evensong Mr R Newport   JANUARY According to Wikipedia the number 4 is the smallest composite number, its proper divisors being 1 and 2. 4  is also a highly composite number. The next highly composite number is 6. 4 is the second square number, the second centered triangular number. 4 is the smallest squared prime (p²) and the only even number in this form. It has an aliquot sum of 3 which is itself prime. The aliquot sequence of 4 has 4 members (4, 3, 1, 0) and is accordingly the first member of the 3-aliquot tree. Only one number has an aliquot sum of 4 and that is squared prime 9. Ok, are you still with me? No I didn’t understand any of that either! But what Wikipedia doesn’t tell you is that 4 is the new service starting at 4 o’clock on the 4th Sunday of the month at St Mary’s Limpley Stoke. It’s an informal service for parents and their children which will include songs, stories, talks, crafts, visual prayers and food! It doesn’t really have a name, but maybe it will become known as ‘The 4 o’clock’ or just simply ‘4’. Starting Sunday January 22nd, it’s something new 4 the New Year! God bless Jon Hoffmann The Year of Discipleship I gather that the Chinese New Year, which began on 23rd January is the ‘Year of the Dragon.’ Apparently the year will be marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity! If I as a Church leader could name this year, I would call it the ‘Year of Discipleship’. Jesus called people to follow him, and they are known as disciples, and for those first disciples, I’m sure time with Jesus was exciting, unpredictable, exhilarating, and intense! We are about to enter the great season of Lent where the theme of discipleship will be a theme that runs through. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday when we are marked with the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ash from last years palm crosses. Ash Wednesday (22nd February) Service will be at St John’s at 7.30pm. There will be a midweek Holy Communion at 11.00am each Wednesday in Lent. A gentle said service which will include a short reflection on discipleship. 29th February St Mary’s 7th   March St Peter’s 14th March St John’s 21st March St Mary’s 28th March St Peter’s (followed by Lent Lunch in the Old Bakery) 4th April St John’s We will also be running a 5 session Lent Course called ‘Jesus Rediscovered’ which will be at the Old Bakery 7.30pm till about 9.00pm on Thursdays 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March. Do let me know if you want to take part, there will be more information at the back of church, with a form for you to add your name. You will need a course booklet, which I will provide, this will cost you £3.25. So let’s all journey together as we draw closer to Christ this Lent. It could be exciting,  certainly will be unpredictable, at times exhilarating, but hopefully not too intense! Jon Hoffmann FEBRUARY FEBRUARY