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.
Silent Film - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
with live organ accompaniment
21st January, 6.30pm
This evening we have a real treat - silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame with live organ accompaniment improvised by our amazing Nick Miller! This is the 1923 version starring Lon Chaney and directed by Wallace Worsley and was Universal’s most successful silent film. The film lasts approximately 100 minutes and drinks will be available for a donation. Tickets are available from Nicky this morning for £7 or on the door this evening for £10.
St John’s Late
Our Sunday evening services resume on 28th January. Please note the times of services as they do fluctuate until the Lent series begins on 18th February.
28th January, 6.30pm Jazz mass
4th February, 8pm Compline (preceded by supper at 7pm)
11th February, 6.30pm Choral Evensong
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 January. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
Help Robin Get to Church
Robin Plummer lives in Cato Street and needs help getting to and from church. Would you be willing to help him? There is a rota and you would be expected to help Robin approximately one Sunday per month. Robin is particularly fond of riding in fast cars although he is also very happy to walk to church.
St John’s Book Club
SJBC met earlier this month and selected Hillbilly Elegy by J D Vance as their next book and will discuss it on 5th February 2018. After that, they will peruse The Bell by Iris Murdoch for a meeting in April. See Michael King for more information.
Confirmation
On Sunday, 22nd April, the acting Bishop of London will be presiding at a service of Confirmation. Courses preparing children and adults for Confirmation will be run in Lent. If you would like to be confirmed or if you would like to explore the possibility of being confirmed, please talk with one of the clergy. Do come along and support those who are being confirmed.
Children’s Community Choir
Thursdays, 4.10pm
The Children’s Community Choir is open for children 6 years old and above, sessions will be 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert or Antonio know.
CULTURE VULTURE VENTURES
Culture Vultures Attend
the Queen’s Chapel, Marlborough Rd. and the Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace
Saturday 24th February
The Serjeant of the Vestry, Jon Simpson, has very kindly agreed to give Culture Vultures a private tour of these chapels on Saturday February 24th at 10.30am - a great privilege and treat! The plate is sumptuous, as are the Van Dyke’s in the Upper Room at the Queen’s Chapel. The visit will last approx. 1.5 hours, after which we will adjourn for lunch nearby (details later). Numbers are limited. Cost £40 which includes lunch and a donation to Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal. Cheques preferred, payable to Margaret Legg. We have to be security cleared beforehand, so please let me have your full name, postal and email addresses, and the number of your current passport or photocard Driving Licence – whichever you will bring with you on the day. Meet under the St James’ Palace clock at the bottom (southern) end of St James’ St. at 10.15am.
Culture Vultures go to the Opera
10th March 2018
Former Choral Scholar (2015-16) soprano Soraya Mafi has landed the role of Tytania in English National Opera’s production by Robert Carson of Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, based on Shakespeare’s popular comedy. Britten’s opera follows the consequences of a falling-out between the fairy-king Oberon and his queen, Tytania. Mistaken identities, confused lovers and alarming transformations are the result! We have tickets in the front of the Upper Circle at the London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES for the 7.30pm performance on Saturday 10th March 2018 and will enjoy a 3-course supper beforehand and during the interval (drinks, tea/coffee extra). Meet in the Coliseum’s American Bar Restaurant at 5.30pm. Tickets all in £70. Payment to Margaret will secure your place. Cheques preferred.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Lord Mayor’s Corner
After a busy festive season, we are having a long awaited break this week. We return to a full diary next week and I’ll let you know what we’ve been up to in the next instalment next Sunday. Keep up with me on Twitter @LM_Westminster
St James & St John School Gate Gossip
We were very busy again last week with exciting extra-curricular activities. These help complement the ordinary class-room training very well and are also so much more fun. Our year 3 children have been to the Thames River-Path as part of the topic "Flow" and luckily nobody was interested in a first-hand (and wet experience) on that subject. Year 5 had to build a model of the solar system (as part of the "Stargazers" topic) and then went to the Science Museum “Wonder-Lab" to explore the subject further. Both trips were greatly enjoyed. Two upcoming events to which we all look very much forward are the Poetry Competition and the School Disco (hopefully we won't have any complaints from the neighbours or visits from the Westminster Noise Police).
Under Five’s Playgroups
An international playgroup aimed at Russian speakers meets in St John’s on Wednesdays at 10am. Other playgroups meet on Wednesdays at 3.45pm and Thursdays at 10am. Suggested donation for all groups: £2. Information about the playgroups can be found at www.HPPplaygroup.weebly.com and www.HPPrussian.weebly.com for the Russian speaking playgroup.
