Friends of St John
Background
The Church of St John the Baptist in Winchester, known also as St John in the Soke, is a place of unique beauty and significance. Norman stonework, medieval wall paintings, Tudor woodwork, Victorian stained glass, and loving restoration in the early twenty-first century attest to its place in history.
More importantly, St John's has always been a place where people have come to find peace, to bring before God the joys and sorrows of the major events of their lives, and to worship faithfully week by week for the past 800 years. Most of the present building dates from the 12th century, and it is the oldest parish church in Winchester. It stands in the middle of an important 4th century cemetery, and so parts of the Church may be very old indeed. Situated in St John's Street, part of the ancient Pilgrims' Way between the two great cathedrals of Winchester and Canterbury, St John's has a special history as a place of welcome and refreshment to all who pass by. Today a parish Church, St John's seeks to serve the needs of residents and visitors by daily prayer and worship, involvement in the community, and by providing a place of beauty, peace and tranquillity which is open and welcoming to all. The Friends of St John in the Soke play a valuable part in the life and work of the Church today.Becoming a friend of St John in the Soke will mean that you are kept in touch with the Church and its activities. (By the way, in medieval times, 'Soke' was a suburb of the City under the jurisdiction of the Bishop.) There will be special events, particularly at St John'stide, which is at the end of June. This will be an opportunity to meet other Friends, renew old acquaintances, and hear about ways in which you can support the work of the Church, and contribute to the restoration and preservation of the building.
What do you get for joining?
- a regular Newsletter
- priority booking and a 5% discount on all events
- prayers will be said for members at regular services
What do you give?
- Ordinary membership is £7.50 per person per annum
- Family membership is £15 per annum
- Life membership is £100 per person
- Corporate membership is £15 per annum
Plus - any time or talents you can spare!
Having a body of people caring for the building will release vital energy for the work of the Church in the community.
Payment
Please use download and print the application form, preferably using the section for the Bankers Order, since this method reduces substantially the administrative costs for the Friends, and return to the Treasurer of the Friends with the appropriate payment.
Covenant
If you are a tax payer, you may be prepared to covenant your annual subscription. This will enable the Friends of St John in the Soke to claim repayment of tax from the Inland Revenue, thus making your contributions all the more valuable. If you are able to make a covenant, then pIease tick the appropriate box overleaf and a Covenant Form will be sent to you.
The Church of St John the Baptist in Winchester, known also as St John in the Soke, is a place of unique beauty and significance. Norman stonework, medieval wall paintings, Tudor woodwork, Victorian stained glass, and loving restoration in the early twenty-first century attest to its place in history.
More importantly, St John's has always been a place where people have come to find peace, to bring before God the joys and sorrows of the major events of their lives, and to worship faithfully week by week for the past 800 years. Most of the present building dates from the 12th century, and it is the oldest parish church in Winchester. It stands in the middle of an important 4th century cemetery, and so parts of the Church may be very old indeed. Situated in St John's Street, part of the ancient Pilgrims' Way between the two great cathedrals of Winchester and Canterbury, St John's has a special history as a place of welcome and refreshment to all who pass by. Today a parish Church, St John's seeks to serve the needs of residents and visitors by daily prayer and worship, involvement in the community, and by providing a place of beauty, peace and tranquillity which is open and welcoming to all. The Friends of St John in the Soke play a valuable part in the life and work of the Church today.Becoming a friend of St John in the Soke will mean that you are kept in touch with the Church and its activities. (By the way, in medieval times, 'Soke' was a suburb of the City under the jurisdiction of the Bishop.) There will be special events, particularly at St John'stide, which is at the end of June. This will be an opportunity to meet other Friends, renew old acquaintances, and hear about ways in which you can support the work of the Church, and contribute to the restoration and preservation of the building.
What do you get for joining?
- a regular Newsletter
- priority booking and a 5% discount on all events
- prayers will be said for members at regular services
What do you give?
- Ordinary membership is £7.50 per person per annum
- Family membership is £15 per annum
- Life membership is £100 per person
- Corporate membership is £15 per annum
Plus - any time or talents you can spare!
Having a body of people caring for the building will release vital energy for the work of the Church in the community.
Payment
Please use download and print the application form, preferably using the section for the Bankers Order, since this method reduces substantially the administrative costs for the Friends, and return to the Treasurer of the Friends with the appropriate payment.
Covenant
If you are a tax payer, you may be prepared to covenant your annual subscription. This will enable the Friends of St John in the Soke to claim repayment of tax from the Inland Revenue, thus making your contributions all the more valuable. If you are able to make a covenant, then pIease tick the appropriate box overleaf and a Covenant Form will be sent to you.
