Vision and Invitation 2026

Dear St John’s Church Family,

In 2025 we have seen God do some incredible things in us, through us, and among us as we have sought to live out our vision of ‘Welcome Home’.  For me, the highlight was the Welcome Home Festival Weekend.  To see the church full of art, music, people, and joy was one of the most incredible times over the last year.

We’ve also seen God’s faithfulness in many other ways.  Both of our Sunday services have grown and have welcomed in new people and families.  Our children’s ministry has developed to offer separate Sunday groups twice a month alongside the normal inter-generational worship at the 1030 service.  Messy Church has grown and become an exciting space for families to discover Jesus together.  We have found favour with lots of the local community organisations, hosting a bi-monthly forum to share and support each other.  The building project has taken steps forward.  And most incredibly we had baptisms and confirmations with the bishop in the summer marking the new life people have found in Jesus.

Thank You
All the glory and praise goes to God first and foremost, but I also want to say thank you to you. Thank you for the ways you belong, the ways you care, the ways you pray, the ways you serve, the ways you show up when it matters. Thank you for calling this place home.  Thank you for everything you are and bring and give to this community. 

Welcome and Encounter
Over the past few weeks we have been talking together about our vision for 2026. About welcome and encounter. 

At the heart of our vision is something wonderfully simple: we are welcomed by God, and in His presence, we are transformed through encounter with the Holy Spirit. And as we are shaped to be more like Jesus, we extend that same welcome to those around us.

Everything we do flows from that. Worship. Service. Generosity. Mission. Sunday by Sunday faithfulness. Out of the overflow of what we have already received.

And there is so much more to give thanks for.

Over the last year we have seen an increase in giving. That is not something I take lightly. In a season when many are feeling financial pressure, people have chosen generosity, and that generosity has made a real difference. It has enabled ministry to continue, buildings to be cared for, doors to stay open, and space to be made to welcome others so that they might encounter Jesus. These are signs of life. Signs that God is at work among us.

Budget
As we look ahead to 2026, I want to be honest with you about our financial reality. At present, we are projecting a deficit of around £6,000. That figure is not shared to alarm or guilt, but to be clear and transparent. Churches do not exist on goodwill alone but require budgets, planning, and sustainability to be able to serve the community for many generations to come.

Give Generously
Christian giving has never been about pressure or obligation. It has always been about response. We give because God has given first. We give because generosity shapes our hearts. We give because a church that is financially healthy can be outward-looking, welcoming, and generous to others.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to give is through the Parish Giving Scheme. It allows for regular, planned giving, spreads support evenly through the year, and helps the church plan responsibly. It also claims back the Gift Aid automatically which increases your amount by 25% where applicable. 

If you don’t give regularly, would you consider starting? If you do give regularly, would you consider if you could increase the amount you give?  If you’ve never given to church before, would you think about starting?  Can you respond to God’s generosity towards you with your financial resources?

But generosity is about more than money.

Serve Faithfully
One of our priorities as a church is encouraging people to serve. This isn’t about filling gaps on a rota, but because serving is one of the ways we are formed to be more like Jesus. When we give our time and our gifts, we are drawn out of ourselves and into the life of others. Teams do not exist simply to get jobs done; they exist to help us belong, to grow, and to share responsibility for the life we hold together.

Be Present
Another priority is presence. Being present on Sundays. Gathering regularly around Word and sacrament. Making worship a rhythm rather than an occasional add-on. Sundays are important because God meets us as we gather. Because community is formed by shared presence over time.  Because we each add something to our corporate worship that no-one else can add.

I know that life is busy. I know that patterns change. I know that not everyone can be here every week. This is not about perfection. It is about intention. About choosing, where possible, to be part of the gathered body. To be seen and known. To worship together, and to make space for others to encounter God as well.

Farnley Plant
Later this year, we’re planning on planting a new mid-week worshipping community in Farnley.  The parish covers Wortley and Farnley and we would love to start a new way and location to worship Jesus in Farnley and to welcome more people into God’s big family.  We’ll be starting to host some events in Farnley over the next few months as we get ready to launch something new in September.

An Invitation
So here’s the invitation for 2026.

-   An invitation to commit again to this church you call home.

- An invitation to generosity that reflects trust in God’s provision.

- An invitation to serve faithfully, offering your gifts for the good of others.

- An invitation to be present, to be part of the regular rhythm of worship.

Would you take some time in prayer this week to consider how you might respond to the vision of welcome and encounter and the invitation to give generously, serve faithfully, and be present.  

If you are unsure what your next step might be, I would love to talk. If you are considering giving, increasing your giving, serving on a team, or finding your way back into regular Sunday worship, please come and speak to me. These are important conversations, and I would much rather have them face to face than leave you wondering quietly on your own.

Thank you for being part of this church family. Thank you for all the ways you already give, often unseen. My prayer is that together we would continue to draw near to God, to be transformed by his presence, and to extend that welcome to our neighbours, our friends, our parish, and those yet to come.

With Christ’s blessing,

Rev’d Chris Balding