NOTICES 4TH JUNE 2017

The Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster

We give a very special welcome this morning to the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Ian Adams.  Ian has been elected to serve as Lord Mayor of Westminster for the next 12 months; Christopher Colosimo, his partner, will serve as Lord Mayor Consort.  Ian has been a local councillor for the nearby Little Venice ward since 2002.  He and Chris have been attending St John’s since moving into the area approximately 15 years and Chris has served on the Parochial Church Council.  Ian is pleased that the Vicar, Steve Mason, has been asked to serve as the Lord Mayor's Chaplain this year.  As a community we will endeavour to support Ian throughout his year of service and to keep him in our prayers.  Please stay after the service for a glass of fizz and to wish Ian well in his challenging and exciting year ahead.

LORD MAYOR’S CORNER

During his year in office, Ian will have an opportunity to let us know what is going on and how he needs our support, as well as, we hope, a few entertaining little items that may arise.

While serving as Lord Mayor, Ian Adams will be helping to raise money for two local charities: Age UK Westminster, which is aiming to create 200 additional befriending opportunities, and the Social Mobility Foundation, which will support promising sixth-formers from poorer households in Westminster with work placements and applications to university.  To kick-start his fund-raising, Ian will be hosting an exclusive Charity Gala Evening in association with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre - a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s hit musical On The Town, the theatre’s biggest dance musical yet.  It takes place on Monday, 19th June 2017, at 6.15pm and includes top-price tickets, pre-theatre champagne reception, a beautifully prepared selection of bowl food, interval dessert, plus unlimited drinks throughout the evening.  All for just £95 per person.  Tickets are selling fast, so please speak with Ian or Chris or email lordmayorsoffice@westminster.gov.uk to reserve your place.

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.

No Services This Week

Due to activities going on in church this week, there will be no services at 5.30pm.  Services will resume as normal from Monday, 12 June.

Whitsun Carols

18th June 2017, 6pm

A unique musical service 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.

Community Charity Concert

Monday, 26th June, 7.30pm

The choral scholars of St John’s, Hyde Park will be joined by the singers from the Duke of Kendal for this annual community extravaganza.  Tickets will be available from the beginning of June - £10 per adult, £5 concession.  More information to come but for all Abba fans the evening will finish with a selection of songs from Mamma Mia.

Oliver!

13th July, 7pm

St John's Choral scholars in collaboration with St James and St John CofE Primary School and St George's Hanover Square CofE Primary School and a combo orchestra will be performing Oliver! - St John's Director of Music, Robert Greenhill, is directing the performance while Nick Miller will be playing the recently refurbished pipe organ, Betty.  Tickets (£5 per adult, children go free) are now available from the church office or online via a link on www.stjohns-hydepark.com/whats-on/oliver - this is part of the Lottery funded programme following the restoration of Betty, our organ.  Music, lyrics and book by Lionel Bart.  Produced for the Broadway stage by David Merrick and Donald Albery.  By arrangement with MusicScope and Stage Musicals Limited of New York.

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).  If that is a bit of a stretch, we'd be delighted if you could sponsor quarter of a window (£400 plus Gift Aid) or just a pane or two for £100 or £200.  Every donation helps!

Donations can be made either to the Vicar or Bryan Sollenberger at the parish office. 

St John’s Annual Barbecue

Summer is nearly here 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.

Culture Vultures Venture to Oxford

Tuesday, 25th July

The Reverend Sally Hitchiner, who has spent time as a student and chaplain at Oxford University, is arranging a day in the city for us.  We will catch the 10.15am Oxford Tube from Marble Arch and return at either approx. 5pm or after attending a College Evensong – 6pm start.  Day return is £18, £14 for over 60’s, under 15’s travel free.  The plan is to explore Oxford’s literary landmarks and the itinerary will encompass Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland so the day is very suitable for children as well as adults.  We'll also venture inside Christ Church College where the Harry Potter film was set and where CS Lewis and Lewis Carroll were dons and visit the pub where CS Lewis, JR Tolkien and their friend Hugo met each week to discuss their writing.  Sally will arrange coffee and lunch stops and afternoon tea in the crypt library underneath the university church.  Please give Margaret travel fare as appropriate if you would like to join this venture.

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

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, weather permitting.