Small Groups
("Emmaus Groups")

Emmaus Groups are where a large church can become personal. These friendly, informal groups spend time in fellowship, in prayer and studying the bible together. They meet fortnightly, in people's home all over Hebburn and Jarrow, on different days of the week and at different times, so whatever your pattern of life, there should be a group for you .

For details of how to join a group, please contact David Osman on 0191 422 7505.

Alpha

Looking for answers? The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening manner over ten, thought-provoking weekly sessions.

It's low key, friendly and fun. And it's supported by all the main Christian denominations.

You're not on your own either. More than 7 million people worldwide have found it a worthwhile experience, completing the Alpha course in churches, homes, schools, universities and prisons.

So join us on a journey of discovery. We hold Alpha courses at St John 's at various times throughout the year. Our next Alpha course begins on 1st October 2008. For more details, please contact David Osman on 0191 422 7505

 Christianity Explored

Christianity Explored is an informal course for people who'd like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It uses the gospel of Mark to explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him.

 The evening will start at 7:30pm with food, and will finish around 9:30pm, and during the course of the evening there'll be a short talk on part of Mark's gospel, time to discuss and reflect on what it means, and a short bible-study

For more details, please contact David Osman on 0191 4227505
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Discipleship Explored

Just beginning the Christian life? Or maybe you've been a Christian for a while and would like a “refresher”? Then Discipleship Explored will be of interest to you.

Discipleship Explored is an 8-part journey through the book of Philippians, through which we explore for ourselves the meaning of Paul's extraordinary words, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Philippians is a letter written to young Christians, encouraging them to stand firm and live for Christ. It is compelling, challenging and inspiring - particularly to those beginning the Christian life, because they are on exactly the same journey as the Philippians!

The evening will start at 7:30pm with food, and will finish around 9:30pm, and during the course of the evening there'll be a short talk on part of Philippians, time to discuss and reflect on what it means, and a short bible-study.

If you'd like to know more, talk to Barry Unwin (0191) 4833910 or David Osman (0191) 422 7505.

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 Moore College Correspondence Course

A home-based correspondence course run by Moore College, a large evangelical theological college in Sydney, which trains various people for ministry in the church. In the last 8 years, over 4000 people in the UK have begun it.

The course offers an excellent opportunity to get an overview of the bible and then to begin to focus more deeply on the New and Old Testaments, as well as extended periods of time thinking about doctrine, or worship and many other topics.

We launched the course at St John's in March 2006, but its still possible for others to sign up.

Every fortnight the people doing the course meet up to discuss their progress and what they've learned. At the end of each course there is an OPTIONAL exam. Completing 9 modules gets you a Preliminary Certificate in Theology, 18 the full Certificate.

If you would like to know more, contact Carol Unwin on (0191) 4833910.
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Men's Activities

The main focus of our work with men is a monthly cooked breakfast, usually with a guest speaker. Join us in the church hall on the first Saturday of every month @ 7:30am, and come hungry!

Other events include socials (mainly curry), conferences and the occasional friendly football match.

To download the programme, click here.

If you'd like to know more, contact Barry Unwin (0191) 4833910.
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Prayer Walk

On the second Saturday of each month, we spend 45 minutes walking around Hebburn, praying for the community. We begin with a devotional reflection at 7:30am, and end with an excellent continental breakfast in the vicarage at 8:15-9am

If you'd like to know more, contact David Osman (0191) 422 7505.
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Church family prayer meeting (“Online”)

Every fortnight we meet together at 8-9:15pm on a Thursday evening, either in the church hall or the church building for an evening including worship, prayer, and information sharing, with a focus on aspects of mission and ministry both at home and in the wider community.

For the date of the next Online, contact the vicar, David Osman (0191) 422 7505.
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 Walking Group

Every three or four weeks a group of people from St John's and the wider community give up a Saturday to go walking together, typically in the North Pennines or Northumberland. Recent walks have included 10 mile walks around High Force on the River Tees, and Hadrian's Wall, as well as a mix of shorter and longer walks, building up to a trip to Snowdon in July 2006.

For details of future walks, please contact Christine Osman on (0191) 4227505
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Knit and Natter

 Since the summer of 2005 the knit and natter group has been meeting between 12:30pm and 3pm on every second Wednesday, to knit, natter, and to share lunch in St John's Church Hall.

We knit blankets, jumpers, scarfs, hats and also make cards. We see these talents as a blessing from the Lord are using them to support the work of World Vision.

New members are always welcome. See what's on for details of the next time we meet.
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Music Group

At St John's we use both modern contemporary praise and worship, and more traditional organ based hymns. We tend to use songs 'with a modern feel' in our 10:30am and 6pm services. Our band regularly learns new songs and consists of drums, bass guitar, guitars, keyboard, piano and male and female singers. For more details please contact Danny Smith
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20s and 30s Group

If you're aged between 18-ish and 40ish, we have a range of social activities specifically for you. Previous activities have included pub trips, BBQs and bowling nights.

You can download our current programme here.

Please contact Barry Unwin for more details.

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Other Activities

At various points in the year, we meet in the church building for a meal together. In December 2005 our Christmas Extravaganza consisted of a Christmas Dinner and entertainment, lit by candlelight. We like to do these events regularly (its a perk of having a large flexible building), so keep an eye on the what's on page.
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