St John’s Late
St John’s Late services offer a friendly but contemplative space for those who’ve missed the morning, want to try something different or seek space for reflection. They run at 6pm on Sunday evenings between Epiphany and Lent.
Compline
8th February, 6.00pm
This ancient monastic service, in a candlelit church, is stunning in its simplicity. The service is sung and the anthem is Sicut Cervus by Palestrina. There is a soup and cheese supper beforehand in the hall at 5pm. It is helpful if you let us know in advance if you are coming but all are welcome.
Choral Evensong
15th February, 6.00pm
This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book, and will be sung by our choral scholars. The setting for the responses is by Ayleward with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by T A Walmisley in D minor and the anthem Sorenson’s Benediction of Peace.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday falls this year on 18th February. As usual there will be a said lunchtime service at 12.00 noon and a sung Eucharist at 6.00pm., featuring Byrd’s Mass for 4 Voices and Allegri’s Miserere. If you still have your palm crosses from last year, bring them in and we will burn them to make this year’s ash.
Upcoming Carol Services
Carol service for Lent
Sunday 1st March, 6pm
This seasonal service of music and readings explores the themes of Lent. This year’s theme is Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return and this service seeks to assist us on our Lenten journeys with readings and music by Ethan Sperry and Bach and from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The service will be followed by an appropriate Lenten reception with hot cross buns.
Passion Carols
Sunday 29th March, 6pm
The latest addition to our cycle of great carol services, this is a special service on Palm Sunday evening where we recall the events leading up to Easter: the Last Supper, the betrayal of Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.
Confirmation Classes
There will be a Confirmation service on Sunday 8th March at 10am. If you would like to be confirmed at this service, please contact Alex for further information.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
This year’s annual meetings take place 22nd March immediately after the 10am service. The first step in preparation for these meetings is to revise the Electoral Roll. Accordingly, the Roll will be open until 4th March, after which it will be closed until the conclusion of the APCM. Having your name entered on the Electoral Roll is an indication of your involvement in the life of the parish and entitles you to attend and take part in the annual meeting. It is also something that Church of England schools ask about when applying for a place. Forms are available from the table at the back or from Bryan Sollenberger.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Refugee Drop-in Volunteers
St John’s hosts a monthly Sunday drop-in centre for refugees run by the West London Synagogue. This provides families with a hot meal, a shopping voucher and a contribution towards their transport, as well as signposting for other practical help. The drop-in centre normally takes place on the third Sunday of the month and they are always open to volunteers to assist them. If you would like to join the volunteer crew, please speak to the Vicar. The next drop-in centre will be held on 15th February.
Book Club
At their last meeting Book Club had a stimulating discussion of Daughter in Time, a historical fiction mystery by Jessica Tey. They also selected their next book, Mapp and Lucia, an old classic of social comedy and humorous fiction within the upper-middle-class English society of the 1920’s and 1930’s. They will meet on 23rd March to discuss it. If you would like to join Book Club, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
