St John the Evangelist's Services Past Events

Gift Day 10th October 2009

Jo and the fundraising team created a fascinating glimpse into an era when we had time to make beautiful things in the church for gift day.
Our skilled demonstrators went right back to the basics with Lynda showing and helping others to spin thread, Julia making unique paper with prepared mush, wire frames and a press, Eileen and Pat creating three dimensional greetings cards, Michelle with yummy cakes, a knitting seminar, pickles and jams and our local artists displaying their prodigious talent.
Thank all of you (especially those I have forgotten) for all the hard work. It was a lovely day.

Harvest Supper
As if that wasn't enough to do in one day, our amazing team at St John's went right on. Back home (after clearing up the church, of course) to start all over again, cooking and preparing for the evening's event.
This was the Harvest Supper and auction of harvest gifts for charity at the village hall in the evening. It went really well with a lot of people enjoying some delicious local sausages in a toady (thank you so much Frank) and lovely apple crumble. Words fail me they are all truely SAINTS!

Plant Sale 2009 On Friday 15th and Saturday the 16th May JO held the annual and much awaited Moggerhanger Plant Sale at Little Orchard. [Text to come]

Race Night
On Saturday 18th April 2009 the races were on! We met at the village hall for an evening of good food and excitment as we bought horses, bet on them and cheered our winners home. We were helped to a sumptious and filling selection of main courses and desserts then settled down for some fun. Bob led us through seven horse races and two dog races (only because we clamoured to keep going). You could buy a horse in the race and then bet on it or any other horse. Odds were instantly created depending on what bets had been placed (only £1 a bid) and then we raucously cheered our gee gees on the big screen as they fought their way home. I actually won more money than I brought with me at one point, if only one could stop there!
The clearing up was almost as much fun as we had one lady clambouring over the stacked chairs when we realised that they had been stacked in front of the screen and then Alan diving head first in to the huge outside bin to try to recover his mobile phone. Anybody seen Jurassic Park III when they are getting the phone out of the pile of dinosaur poo? Well....
If you do not value your personal dignity come and help next time!


Carol Singing
For the first time for about ten years a surprisingly large group of us met in the church at 6pm to bravely go forth carol singing round the village on a very very cold night. We were warmed by our singing and the thought that we were doing this to raise money for people who have no choice but to be out on nights like this and the amazing charity in Bedford (BECHAR - Bedford concern for the homeless and rootless) who make sure there are daily hot meals available for them.
Since we only had an hour (normal Junior choir time) we only got to go up and down Blunham Road but were very well received there. It was only at one house who, when asked if they would like another carol, said quikly, No thanks! I wonder why?.
A resounding THANK YOU to everybody who joined us with cold bodies and warm hearts, I am thrilled to say that in that short time we raised £42 for BECHAR. After you have recovered your voice do join us for our carol service on Sunday.
If anyone would like a visit for some carols (and are willing to make a donation for BECHAR) call Ali 640647 and it will be arranged. Sorry no pictures.......it was dark.
Duh!,

Visit of the 'Quoir'

We were very fortunate to be chosen to be a host for the Bedford Gallery Quire Church Tour 2008. All the nobility, gentry and publick of Moggerhanger were welcomed to the singing of Weft Gallery Church musick on 28th June 2008. The top hats, tails and bonnets abounded. The quality of the entertainment was deemed most excellent.

First day of the 'Lunch Club'

This was a great service to the community with the participants very surprised to get an extremely filling hot dinner (home made Steak & Kidney Pies followed by trifle and cheesecake) for the bargain price of £2! The food (all cooked by Betty and Ted) was whizzed in straight from the oven and demolished in very short order. Do come and join us next month on the second Thursday.

Benefice Lunch with Tim Girling
On Sunday 29th July the Reverend Tim Girling, a previous vicar of this parish, came to preach at the Benefice service at 11:00am at Moggerhanger. After the service there was be a 2 course lunch served that everyone seemed to enjoy. £107 was raised for the church.

Open Gardens and Barbeque at Little Orchard

This was a wonderful day with even the weather smiling on us for once. So many people helped in this event that it is very difficult to name them all individually but especial thanks go to Jo & William for the huge gift of their lovely house and gardens with all the organisation and work on the day. £660 was raised for the church.

Concert Saturday 28th April
Another wonderful concert arranged by Chris Bashford with many and varied entertainments from opera to making wierd noises on a trumpet. We had a really good evening. Our thanks to Chris and his friends, Peter and Jan, Collette, Togger and Mick, Liz and Carolyn and everyone who helped setting up, on the night and clearing away.



Saturday 18th November 2006 Quiz night
Amazing turn out for the first Quiz night, held at The Sue Ryder Hall as we wait for our village hall to be completed. We expected about seventy people there and were rather staggered to find ourselves catering for about eighty! Apologises to anyone who waited a bit for their dinner but wern't those home cooked quiches worth waiting for? A huge thank you to all the quiche, salad, spud makers, ham providers, all the organizers, table setters up - and putting down. In fact a herculean effort from a lot of people. Thank you all. Especially to Stuart from Sandy who really put us through our paces with his quick fire, professional quiz ranging over many topics - enough to highlight our ignorance.
Congratulations to 'More & More' from Cople who won the quiz and to 'Girl Power' who received the last runners up prize. Well done.

Saturday 7th October 2006
Gift Day 
Gift Day Saturday 7th October was a super day. It was lovely to see the church bustling away. There was a display of art (with award winning local artist) some absolutely beautiful hand sewn cards and very popular soft woolly fluffy scarfs and 'Beanie' bears to buy. As well as home made cakes, buns, jams, marmalades, pickles and chutneys! What a treat!

We would very much like to give our thanks to everyone who helped on the day. We raised £1021 from the gift day and supporting stalls and refreshments. Thank you all.
On Sunday 8th October we had our Harvest Festival service and are very pleased to see so many wonderful gifts. We will be sharing out all the produce between the Prebend Street Day Centre and Christian Family Care Bedford for use by all the people in their care.Thank you so much, Moggerhanger for your caring attitude to others.Bless you.

'Showtime' at St John's Church
Saturday 22nd April 2006
A really super evening was started by our excellent local children's group with a medly of Nursery rhymes set in the 1950's era.
There followed act upon act that were superb in their professionalism. Our very grateful thanks go to our brilliant children, all our contributing performers, Ann Wright who came to play the piano so expertly for us and especially to Chris Bashford and his group for organising and starring in the event.




Sunday 14th August 2005
Church Bar B Que

About fifty people enjoyed a relaxed evening enjoying the hospitality of 'Little Orchard', lazing about in the extensive orchard while their meal was expertly cooked by the two chefs. This was the ideal way to end a weekend and postpone the dreaded Monday. Our thanks go to all those who provided food, cooked, helped, cleaned and washed up.