Following the deanery visitation there will be some significant changes at St John’s.

The parishes of Alton, Cheadle and Leek will work as an informal cluster. This parish remains as its own parish but there will be closer collaboration, where appropriate, in areas such as sacramental preparation and clergy supporting and helping one another.

In our parish report, Bishop Stephen reflected that the Church’s capacity is around 100. Parish Mass attendance is low. 20-35 on a Saturday evening, 20-30 on a Sunday morning. On present numbers two Sunday masses are not required and can be dropped to one.

Therefore, from the weekend of 2nd/3rd September Mass on Saturday evening will cease and the Sunday morning Mass will return to its pre-covid time of 9am.

Mass times are also changing in Cheadle and Leek. These changes mean that one priest can cover all three parishes on Saturday and two priests can cover all three parishes on Sunday.

Let us continue to pray for each other and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide us all to evangelise all whom we meet.