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St John's holds various civic and military services. The VE/VJ Day Memorial Service is normally held in September.

We are extremely proud to be involved in this way with people who gave so much for their country many years ago and in this day and age get so easily forgotten.

How our association began started back in 2000. When The Southend Branch of the Dunkirk Veterans was disbanded. They needed somewhere to ‘lay up’ their Standard so St John’s took it in –principally because one of the members had begun to worship at St John’s through the Lifeboat link. His name is Harold Ings and he used to work in the Lifeboat Shop. He is a Dunkirk Veteran himself.

This created something of a momentum and the other services began to happen. Stephen our Rector is the Chaplain to the Naval & Military Club.

There are several Standards of organisations which have now been 'laid up' in St John's. The Dunkirk Veterans, The Royal Army Service Corps and the Burma Star Association have recently installed their Crest.

This Years service took place on Sunday 2nd September The Celebration of a combined VE/VJ Anniversary Service has taken place since 2005- which was 60 years from the end of the 2nd World War. This week is chosen as it falls between the actual Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan Anniversaries, and the outbreak of the 2nd World War which was on 3rd September 1939.

This is the second time the combined service has been held at St John's. It was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Councillor Gwen Horrigan, and MP Sir Teddy Taylor. Various Military Organisations attended including members of the Naval & Military Club and the ATC Band played for the March to and from St John's. Our deputy Organist, Mr Carl Styles played and a special feature of the service were hymns to the tune of 'the Dambusters' and to 'the British Grenadiers'.

The RNLI hold a large Carol Service at St John's every year which has now become a civic event with the Mayor in attendance. Last years service took place on Wednesday 13th December at 7.30pm.

The Southend Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest in the country and is situated at the end of Southend Pier- the longest pleasure pier in the world. As part of Stephen role as their Chaplain he is often on hand to deal with any emotional difficulties that may arise from the rescue work of the lifeboat crews. This means getting to know the crew members personally so that they may feel able to call on him. Stephen is often called upon to take services for the wider RNLI ‘family’ which includes fundraisers, other supporters and the executive of the lifeboat branch. Stephen also conducts funerals and weddings on their behalf. Stephen has been out in the lifeboats on two occasions, both times to scatter ashes at sea.