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.
Jazz Mass
It is a real treat this morning to have Ewan King and the King/Cave Project to lead our worship this morning: Alison Beck, Dan Forshaw, John Henry Baker and Chris Little. Ewan first introduced us to the jazz mass in January 2010 and it has become a popular fixture in our St John’s Late series on Sunday evenings. The mass setting for this morning, Mass for Rachel, was composed by Chris Little.
Farewell, Pippa Turner
This morning we bid a fond adieu to Pippa Turner, who leaves St John’s to become Vicar of St Phillip’s, Earl’s Court Road. Pippa grew up at St John’s but left in the late 80’s to pursue ordination in the USA. She obtained her Master of Divinity Degree from Yale Divinity School and was then ordained Priest by the Bishop of New York in 1995. Soon after she became Associate Priest at our sister church, The Church of the Heavenly Rest, in Manhattan. Pippa returned to London in 2008 to become Chaplain to the Royal Veterinary College and UCL Medical School and shortly after became part of Team St John’s. There will be a special reception for Pippa after the service and a card for you to sign to wish Pippa well.
FOOD 4 THOUGHT
Little Questions with Big Answers
Food 4 Thought continues this afternoon. Based around a series of ‘little books of guidance’ these sessions deal with some of the little questions about Christian faith which stir up big challenges when it comes to answering them. We meet in the Library at The Victoria Pub on Strathearn Place at 12 noon (except on the 23rd July when we will meet at 12:30pm). Everybody orders their own food and then we get into the discussion - all to be completed by 2.00pm.
Why did Jesus have to die?
23rd July 2017
Was the cross necessary?
What is atonement?
Is God atoning?
Why does God allow suffering?
30th July 2017
What’s the problem?
Why create a world with suffering?
What does Jesus do about suffering?
School Starter Sunday
It’s a bit early but so you can put this date in your diary before you go away, our Back to School Sunday is on 3rd September, when children starting reception classes this year receive a special St John’s pencil case and all children returning to school receive a blessing before resuming their studies.
Horseman’s Sunday
17th September 2017
This year we are celebrating the 50th Horseman’s Sunday! In addition to the usual volunteers, this year we are looking for someone with particular PR skills to help us to publicise this milestone event. If you can help, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger after the service.
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 significant enhance the building in all seasons as the light changes.
The cost of replacing the glass and restoring these windows is 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 is 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 would be delighted if you could sponsor a 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.
Culture Vulture Ventures
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.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club had an excellent meeting recently and, after some deliberation book, they selected "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling", known colloquially as Tom Jones, as the subject of their next meeting. Given the summer and that this is a long read, the next meeting will be on Monday October 2nd.
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
Lord Mayor’s Corner
The end of the school year brings a number of opportunities to celebrate Year 6 pupils moving onto secondary school and this week I was pleased to attend a number of such celebrations, including one for pupils at St James and St John School, held here at St John's. Other community events this week have included a performance by the All Sing Harrow Road Community Choir and an annual founders' day service for the Westminster Almshouses Foundation. I was also honoured to be invited to the Foreign Office summer party hosted by Boris Johnson and an event with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to celebrate the LGBT+ community. It's traditional for the Lord Mayor to take some time off around this time of the year, so my next Lord Mayor's corner update will be towards the end of August.
School Gate Gossip
Our school, St James and St John, has recently had a SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools). We are delighted that our status as a good school is confirmed. What the report says about our pupils, staff and parents confirms that we are doing the right things to ensure that the children in our care start their education with emphasis not only on academia but also on becoming caring, compassionate, respectful and thoughtful people. The Christian values which underpin our daily school life are recognized as being of great value to all our pupils from all faiths and none. We owe our thanks to the head teacher, all our staff and our clergy, not only for their work in implementing the RE curriculum and delivering good impacts but also in fostering an environment in which the children can grow in safety and confidence.
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.
The scaffolding has now come down in church but as the summer holidays are imminent, playgroups will resume in September.
