Current Notices
Last Lenten Study, this Tuesday night, at St. John’s
Everyone is invited to join in the last of the four Lenten Studies provided by The Toorak Ecumenical Movement. Led by The Revd Peter Whitaker of Toorak Uniting Church, participants are guided through the theme, “Reflections on the Meaning of the Cross.” Through his presentations, attendees will be encouraged to contemplate the significance of the cross and its impact on Christian faith and life. The last session is 7pm, Tuesday 24 March, at St John’s.
“Listening in Lent”
The Archbishop extends an invitation to listen, reflect, and respond together. During Lent, you are invited to be part of ‘Listening in Lent’ – an opportunity to pause, reflect, and share what you notice and hope for as part of the Diocese of Melbourne today, and as we look to the future together. Take part by filling in the online questionnaire. www.melbourneanglican.org.au/listening-in-lent
It’s open to everyone and every response is valued. The Vicar
Saturday 28 March, 3pm, Palm Sunday Preparation
Please join us in preparing the church for Palm Sunday, Holy Week & Easter. We need your help to tidy the church and arrange palm branches for our much anticipated Palm Sunday service. Sign-up sheet available in the Narthex.
Palm Sunday Service, 10am only
Please note, there will be NO 8am service on Palm Sunday. We will instead come together for one joint service at 10am as we follow Jesus’ path into Jerusalem and into Holy Week. Please note other Holy Week services in this pew sheet!
Election of Synod Representatives
Nominations are now open for two lay representatives (and an alternate lay representative) for the 55th Synod. Nominations close Easter Day, Sunday 5 April 2026. If required, elections will take place in person on Sunday 12 April between the 8am and 10am services. Nominees need to be members of the St. John’s electoral roll. For more information on Synod representatives see Synod: A Guide for Members and Prospective Members. Forms are available in the Narthex.
Sunday 3 May, Patronal Festival & Visit from Archbishop Ric Thorpe!
On Sunday May 3, we will celebrate our patron St. John the Evangelist with a visit from the new Archbishop, The Most Revd Dr Ric Thorpe, and his wife, Louie. Following the 10am Eucharist we will enjoy a special morning tea, prepared by our dedicated volunteers. It is vitally important that as many people attend this service as possible to show our new Archbishop our lively church, so please put it in your diary and commit to come! The Vicar
Archbishop’s Prize for Emerging Composers 2026
The Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation (MACO) is delighted to announce the launch of the Archbishop’s Prize for Emerging Composers. Entrants are invited to compose an original work set to, or inspired by, Psalm 46. The competition culminates in a special evening in May at Bishopscourt, where finalist works will be performed before invited guests, including supporters of MACO and the Melbourne Anglican Foundation. Submissions close Tuesday 7 April 2026. Final performance event Thursday 7 May 2026. For more information or to submit an entry go to: tinyurl.com/archbishopsprize4composers
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Our Assistant Priest, The Revd Dr Wendy Crouch
After four fine years of service and ministry as our Assistant Priest, Wendy Crouch will be leaving St. John’s, with her last Sunday being Easter Sunday, 2026. Commencing on February 23, 2022, Wendy has since then made a terrific contribution to the life and ministry of St. John’s, serving ever so faithfully across the wide array of ministries here, including leading worship, preaching, teaching and leading pastoral services and, with a particular emphasis on spiritual formation, leading numerous retreats and learning opportunities. Her ministry has seen many people join our church and her gentle, wise and prayerful presence has seen the community nurtured, cared for and supported through good times and bad, especially through her pastoral work and her leadership of the Pastoral Visiting Team. Until her departure we continue to be blessed with her presence and to enjoy her remaining time with us. I hope you will join me in a farewell to Wendy following the 10am Easter Sunday service and, if you wish to make a contribution to a farewell gift, you may do so by direct deposit to BSB 033086 and Acc. No. 871931, marked “For Wendy.” The Vicar
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Holy Week & Easter 2026
29 March
PALM SUNDAY
10am Choral Eucharist with Procession of Palms
1 April
HOLY WEDNESDAY
7pm Said Eucharist with Stations of The Cross
2 April
MAUNDY THURSDAY
7pm Choral Eucharist with Ceremonial Washing of Feet
3 April
GOOD FRIDAY
10am Good Friday Liturgy
11.30am Ecumenical Walk of Witness
5 April
EASTER SUNDAY
8am Said Eucharist
10am Choral Eucharist
(followed by morning tea and Easter egg hunt and games!)
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Victorian Anglicans Together (VAT)
VAT advocates for a Church that is open, diverse and inclusive, tolerant and welcoming. VAT provides a forum for Anglicans from a broad spectrum of beliefs to meet together in unity and diversity. Both Peter and Wendy are members and encourage you to look them up and join. You can find out more here: www.victoriananglicanstogether.org
Community Groups
Various community groups meet in our church hall, ‘Buxton Hall’, on a regular basis.
Happy Destiny
AA
Wednesday 6.30pm
Toorak Tuesday
NA
Tuesday 7.30pm
Kumon
Maths & English Learning Programme
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
3pm-6.30pm
Outreach
St. John’s Toorak supports various worthwhile community organisations.
Continue reading to find out more!
Richmond Churches Food Centre
The Richmond Churches Food Centre is an ecumenical, grass roots initiative that has been providing food security for hundreds of people each week for some 30 years. At Richmond Churches Food Centre people receive enough food and a warm welcome, regardless of their background, culture, beliefs or lifestyle.
Christ Church Mission Community Centre
St Kilda’s Little Mission
The Centre offers opportunities for social interaction and personal growth, particularly through free weekly meals, emergency support, volunteering opportunities, engagement in free or low-cost activities, and community outreach.
Saint Mark's Community Centre
St Mark’s Fitzroy, partnered with Anglicare Victoria, provides support to people in the community who are experiencing primary and secondary homelessness in the City of Yarra and the City of Melbourne. Including emergency relief, case management, facilities such as showers and laundry as well as hot meals.
Dixon House
Anglicare Victoria
Dixon House is a neighbourhood centre located in the heart of Clayton, in the City of Monash, Victoria, Australia. They have a range of programs and services that cater to the needs of those in the local community. Their hope is to provide a place where you can make friends, learn new skills, volunteer your time, and get support.
Connie Benn Centre
Brotherhood of St Laurence
BSL believes that all children have a right to quality and affordable early education and care regardless of cultural or social background. BSL runs a variety of programs, offering opportunities for both parents and children to make connections and learn in a safe and culturally caring environment.
Sunday Suppers
Anglican Parish of
St. Silas & St Anselm
The Parish of the Parks community offers meals to those in need every Sunday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the church hall.
For Port Phillip residents with a concession card, food parcels are given out on the first Sunday of each month from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
“Get Out for Good”
Anglican Criminal Justice Ministry – Anglicare Victoria
This program provides people who have been released from prison access to social and emotional support. Drop in Centres, phone calls and informal meetings provide safe spaces to talk about what they are going through and encouragement to reconnect with family, friends and community. The program acts to strengthen people’s ability to identify and develop their own resources and build capacity while making the adjustment from prison to the “outside”.
Refugee Child Outreach
Brotherhood of St Laurence
This program works with children and families who are newly arrived in Australia. Settling in a new country is challenging and navigating a complex system of services for children can be confusing. The program is open to families with young children of a refugee background, who are seeking asylum or arrived in Australia on community detention.
The Lazarus Centre
St Peter’s Eastern Hill,
East Melbourne
The Lazarus Centre operates onsite at St Peter’s in East Melbourne. The centre provides food, pastoral care and essential support to people experiencing homelessness; it provides people a warm and secure place to eat breakfast seven days a week, every day of the year. Breakfast is available daily between 7:30am and 9:00am. On Fridays at 11.00 am a BBQ is held in conjunction with Doutta Galla Community Health Services.
Order of St Lazarus Victorian Commandery Foundation
Charitable Trust
A foundation to help poor, disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community. OLJ aims to promote and assist education in hospital care and administration, nursing and first aid and to establish and promote aid and assistance to hospitals, medical centres and institutions for the treatment of human ills of every kind.
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria
(MTSV)
The Mission to Seafarers Victoria has operated from its heritage-listed building in Melbourne’s Docklands since 1917. Serving a special place in the life and community of those who live and work at sea, the dedicated team of staff and volunteers provide comfort, a friendly face, and a sense of community to the thousands of seafarers who visit the Port of Melbourne annually.
The Queen’s Fund
Since 1887, The Queen’s Fund has been dedicated to supporting single women & children in Victoria who are in distress, crisis, or emergency situations. They are committed to providing them with the necessary resources and assistance to help them overcome their challenges and lead a better life. The Queen’s Fund is one of Victoria’s oldest charities, run by women for women.
