Hearing the Service
St John’s has an Induction Loop System so if you have a hearing aid, please switch it to the ’T’ setting.
Happy Birthday, Robert Greenhill!
On Wednesday Robert Greenhill, our amazing Director of Music, achieves a significant milestone – he turns 60! This morning we will be celebrating this milestone in his life and acknowledging all his fantastic work in developing a music tradition here at St John’s - he brings us all so much pleasure in his enhancement of our worship - and so this morning is both a big thank you and a big happy birthday.. Nick Miller, our organist, has invited choral scholars who have sung under Robert to form a magnificent ad hoc choir and there will be a champagne toast to Robert after the service. A card is available – please make sure you sign it and give Robert your personal good wishes.
Thank you, Gaynor Scruton
We all owe Gaynor a huge thank you for having completed her second term of office as churchwarden. Back on 3rd May, Neville David was admitted to office and we have not had opportunity to thank Gaynor properly as she was recovering from the weight of office on a well deserved cruise with friends; but now that she has her feet firmly back on dry land, we thank her for her dedication in attending meetings, her sharp mind, words of wisdom and encouragement to the whole staff. Thank you, Gaynor!
The New Lord Mayor of Westminster
Congratulations to Councillor Ian Adams, of Little Venice Ward and a member of our congregation, on having been elected The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster on Wednesday evening. We wish Ian and Chris every best wish as they begin their year in office. We will be marking the occasion more fully on 4th June. In the meantime, look out for the Rolls Royce with that special coat of arms on the front and don’t forget to wave.
Heroes & Heroines in the Bible
Over 10 weeks after Easter, the anthems at the 10am morning services will be dedicated to Heroes & Heroines from the Bible. The series starts with Christ, the image of heroism to which all should aspire. The series then opens out to include the Virgin Mary, King David, the Queen of Sheba, Samson, Elijah, Noah, Esther and Moses.
Samson (man of the sun) was the last of the judges of the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament and one of the last leaders who ‘judged’ Israel before the institution of the monarchy. The anthem this morning comes from the beginning of the opera Samson and Delilah by Saint-Saens composed in 1877 and tells of a group of Hebrews in the square outside the temple of Dagon who beg Jehovah for relief from the bondage to the Philistines.
Weekly Offering Envelopes
New sets of the coloured weekly offering envelopes are now available. These are a good way to give if you prefer to use cash and are valid for giving under Gift Aid. See Bryan Sollenberger if you would like a set.
Bible Book Club
Bible book club meets once a month to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the coming Sunday and concludes with Compline. Meetings take place on the last Tuesday of the month – the next meeting is on 30th May. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met earlier this month and selected two short stories for their next discussion on 3rd July: Guy de Maupassant's 'Boule de Suif' and Somerset Maugham's ‘The Letter'. See Michael King for further information.
Whitsun Carols, 18th June 2017
A unique musical service at 6pm commemorating the events from Easter to Pentecost, with readings and musical selections from the choir and guest musicians. The service features music by Grieg, Bach, Hadley, Elgar and Puccini. A reception with the first of the summer Pimms will follow.
Sponsor a Window
As part of the works, we are delighted that we have been given permission to restore the clerestory windows and replace the frosted glass with clear glass, as would have been originally. The restoration of clear glass at this level should flood the ceiling with light and significantly enhance the building in all seasons as the light changes.
The cost of replacing the glass and restoring these windows is likely to be in the region of £28,000. There are 14 windows so that is £2,000 per window. We would be delighted if people would like to sponsor a window! If you are a UK taxpayer, after Gift Aid it’s only £1,600. If a full window is a bit much, then why not half a window, which would be £1,000 (or £800 with Gift Aid).
Donations can be made either to the Vicar or Bryan Sollenberger at the parish office.
St John’s Annual Barbecue
Summer is not quite here yet but we have faith! and are planning this year’s barbecue following the 10am service on 2nd July. As usual, St John’s provides the meat and desserts, you supply a salad and a donation: £5/adult, £2/ child. Please sign up after the service if you will be coming and indicate what kind of salad you will be bringing. Volunteers to help with setting up and barbecuing the meat are also needed – speak to Andre or to Bryan if you can help.
St John’s Family Camping Trip
14th – 16th July 2017
St John’s families are organising a camping trip in July again this year at Debden House. If you are interested in coming speak to Samantha Tear with some indication as to whether you are interested in coming for 1 or 2 nights. You can sign up by going to http://www.debdenhouse.com/campsite-epping-forest.html and booking a site near pitches 204 and 205.
Celebrate!
Marking a special birthday? Celebrating an anniversary? Wanting to remember that special person? St John’s can help! To honour a loved one or to commemorate a special event, you can sponsor some music or flowers, have fizz & refreshments after the service - there are lots of possibilities. If you would like to observe a special occasion or honour someone special, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
A Night of Hollywood Glamour
in aid of Children Change Colombia
Fernando Montano, Royal Ballet Soloist and member of the congregation, is organising 'A Night of Hollywood Glamour' at the Hippodrome Cabaret Theatre in aid of Children Change Colombia, one of our charities for 2016, on Sunday May 21st at 7.00pm. Guest artists also performing on the night include: Carolyn Rose (former ballerina, Ballet of Monte Carlo), Axel Zischka (European/World Same Sex ballroom dancing champion), Thorsten Dreyer (international ballroom dancer) and Jonathan Hill (leading international violinist, Les Miserables and other West End musicals).
Tickets can be booked on eventbrite or by calling the Hippodrome on 020 7549 0225. (Stalls: £65 + £2.62 fee, Balcony: £35+£2.76 fee). For more information go to: http://www.childrenchangecolombia.org/news/114/35/Fernando-Montano-presents-Hollywood-Classics/d,event-detail.
St James and St John School
This is our school; a school with a proud history and an aspirational future. St. James & St. John School provides both academic and personal development for every child, underpinned by Christian values. To quote Ofsted: "This is a good school. It is strongly supported by parents and carers. The strong provision for development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that pupils are kind to new arrivals and respect one another's values. Progress in English and mathematics is good and this reflects the good teaching and curriculum."
Under Five’s Playgroups
Information about the weekly community playgroups that meet at St John’s can be found at www.HPPplaygroup.weebly.com for the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning groups and www.HPPrussian.weebly.com for the Russian speaking playgroup on Wednesday mornings.
While the scaffolding is in church, the Wednesday afternoon playgroup will not meet. The Wednesday and Thursday morning groups will meet at the church at 9.45am and go to Hyde Park.
