Connect Groups

Join and take active part in one of our Connect Groups. Connect Groups are a key part of our life at  St John's  they are smaller gatherings of people from across our church community, where everybody has a chance to build friendships, pray together and grow as a disciple of Jesus.  If you want to join a Connect Group click below:

JOIN A connect GROUP

Open the Book

Our church has an ‘Open the Book’ team taking bible stories into the Infant and Junior Schools within the village. This has been very well received by the schools, the children and parents.

To become an ‘Open the Book’ storyteller, 

 SIGN UP HERE

Join a Team

We have several other teams that are creatively involved in the life and services of St John’s whether this is through study, music, design, social engagements, getting involved with children, youth or older people.

Perhaps you’re keen to join our hospitality team by welcoming the congregation with a friendly welcome, great coffee and opportunities to connect with our vision, or simply join any of the other teams.

  JOIN A TEAM

Our Mission Partner in Tanzania

Heather Johnstone is our mission partner in Tanzania working with the Rehema Project that benefits women and children in crisis – who don’t have food, clothing or shelter and who are susceptible to all sorts of illnesses because of malnutrition. To find out more about Heather's work and to download her latest newsletter go to:

Heather Johnstone

If you would like to donate to the work of the project - please use the post box outside the Church Office.  Cheques should be made payable to St John's PCC; both cheques and cash should be in an envelope with the reference 'Rehema Project'.  Or you can contact the Church Office on 01342 712063.

St John’s is a place where every child can find friends, have fun, laugh loads, learn that God loves them unconditionally and discover who Jesus is.

We are delighted to be able to offer groups for primary school children (Reception up to Year 5) no Sunday's at  the 11 am services during term time. These groups  begin in church with worship, bible reading and a video and then move to their own location on our church's premises. 

All children are welcome and we seek to support all families and children no matter what their specific needs are. If your child is under 4 years, we ask for the parent/carer to accompany them to the activities.

If you would like to sign up you child or want to know further information about the children's groups click here:

Youth

We have two you groups.  The Year 6-8 (10-12's) group will meet in church at 11.00 am for worship, then move to the vestry giving them space to meet and explore the Christian faith together. 

The youth, the Year 9+ (13-17's) meet on Sundays in church at 7pm.

All youth are welcome and we seek to support everyone no matter what their specific needs are. 

If you would like to sign up you child or want to know further information about the youth groups click here:

 Sign Up Here

More room in His house. More room in our hearts. More of what God is doing.

St John’s Church has been at the heart of the Copthorne community for generations. Our MAKING ROOM project is about caring for this much-loved building while preparing it to serve the church and wider community for generations to come.

The project will make the church warmer, more accessible and more flexible, while respecting the history and character of this special place.

What is changing?

As part of the project, we are planning to:

• Install modern infrared heating, providing more effective and flexible warmth.
• Create a new level floor, improving accessibility, comfort and warmth.
• Improve the entrance area, including a new glass inner door.
• Replace the existing pine pews with high-quality, upholstered, stackable chairs, giving us the flexibility to arrange the church in different ways for worship as well as other activities.
• Create additional storage for chairs, tables and other equipment, allowing the main church space to remain uncluttered.
• Relocate the baptism font, making it easier to access and use.
• Create a permanent kitchen/servery area at the back of the church, providing a practical space for refreshments and hospitality.

 These changes allow our building to better serve worship, prayer, gatherings, community events, and the everyday life of the church.      

Why are we doing this?

Our church building needs to serve many different purposes. Alongside our regular worship, it is used for prayer, pastoral care, Christian courses like Alpha, community activities, gatherings, concerts, children's and youth activities, and hospitality.

A more flexible space will make it easier to:

• welcome families with prams and young children;
• improve access for older people and those with mobility needs;
• create quieter spaces for prayer and pastoral care;
• gather for meals and refreshments;
• host community events, concerts and other activities;
• respond more easily to the changing community needs of our church and village.

Honouring the past, preparing for the future

We know that changing the church interior touches memories.

These pews have held generations of prayers and tears, baptisms and funerals, weddings and celebrations, Christmas services and ordinary Sundays. They are part of the story of St John’s, and that story matters to us.

Removing the pews is therefore not about removing our history. It is about honouring what has been while making room for what God is doing next.

We believe that the church is more than its furniture. It is a place where people encounter God, find welcome, build relationships and serve one another. We want to make sure that St John’s can continue to do that well for many years to come.

Making Room is about creating more room in His house, more room in our hearts, and more room for what God is doing.   

Costs & How You Can Be Part of It

The estimated cost of the Making Room project is  £175,000.-
This includes professional fees, and essential upgrades to ensure the space serves our church well into the future.

Donate as you are able, whether one-off or regular, spread the news.

If you would like to support the MAKING ROOM project, click here below:

 donate to making room

By participating in the Eco Church scheme, our church must indicate how we are caring for God’s earth in our worship and teaching, around our buildings and grounds (if applicable), in our community engagement at local and global level plus in our personal lifestyles as church members. By initiating projects, recording evidence and demonstrating our commitment to the Eco Church project, our church collects points towards an Silver Eco Church Award. We have have already been awared a Bronse Eco Church and in the coming years hope to have amassed sufficient points to qualify for an Silver and  subsequently a Gold awardbefore 2030. 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of its new community orchard. Featuring apple trees, a clover lawn, wildflowers and a mix of habitats for insects, this forms part of Eco Church commitment.The community orchard will not only add beauty to the church grounds, important habitat for wildlife and nectar for pollinators, it will also serve as an educational resource. Visitors of all ages will be able to enjoy the growing fruit trees and native flowers whilst learning about the benefits of local biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices.

For more info on Eco Church click here.