Spring Term 2018 Anthems
This term’s offering of anthems during the Sunday morning service has two main themes running through it: on one hand we take a look at ‘God on Stage’, uncovering some of the ways religious themes and ideas have appeared in musical theatre shows over the years, either more or less overtly, and we also celebrate a range of major composers who celebrate important anniversaries in 2018.
This week's anthem is by Charles Gounod, a French composer born in June 1818. It is the original 1853 version of Charles Gounod's "Ave Maria" before it was called "Ave Maria". Gounod wrote everything except the piano part, which is a slightly-altered version of Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude in C from The Well Tempered Clavier, BWV846. Later, Gounod adapted his "Meditation" to be a setting for "Ave Maria" (1859).
Whitsun Carols, 20th May 2018
A unique musical service at 6pm concluding our annual cycle of carol services which tell the events of the Christian year. At Whitsun Carols we commemorate the events from Easter to Pentecost, with readings and musical selections from the choir and guest musicians. A reception with the first of the summer Pimms will follow.
St John’s Big Pub Quiz
Our popular quiz night returns on Thursday, 7th June, in St John’s at 7pm. Tickets will be £15 and include dinner and entry. Invite some friends and form a team of 6 to 8 or come on your own and join a team. The quizmaster for the evening is from The Victoria.
Culture Vultures visit Lambeth Palace
On Friday June 8th at 10.30am we have a guided tour of the state rooms at Lambeth Palace, SE1 7JU, London residence for nearly 800 years of the Archbishops of Canterbury. We will have the chance to explore the rooms and chapel, watch a video and hear about the history of the Archbishops of Canterbury. The tour finishes at approximately 12 noon, when we adjourn to the acclaimed and adjoining Garden Museum café for lunch: www.gardenmuseum.org.uk. There is no set menu: we select from the ‘menu du jour’ and pay on an individual basis. Meet at the Palace entrance, Morton’s Tower, at 10.15am. This is the red brick Tudor gatehouse built in 1469 by Cardinal Morton and is visible from the road. Payment to Margaret (cheques preferred) of £13 for the tour, including £1 tip for our volunteer guide, to secure your place.
Ordination of Dan Warnke and Summer Barbecue
Dan Warnke, our next assistant curate, will be ordained deacon on Saturday, 30 June, at St Paul’s Cathedral at 3pm. Dan will officially join the staff team at St John’s on Sunday, 8th July. As part of the celebrations on that Sunday, we will be holding our annual summer barbecue following the 10am service.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met this past Monday evening and enjoyed a riveting discussion over Iris Murdoch’s The Bell. Their next read will be Lincoln in the Bardo by George Bardo and they will meet to discuss it on Monday, 2nd July. See Michael King for further information.
The Rood Screen
Those of you who have been waiting patiently for the promised staining of the screen so that the north end, which had to be specially made when the screen was moved to its present location, will match the older sections can now rejoice in the fulfilment of your faith! Just after Easter the conservator was on site: the north end was stained and the rest was freshened up so that it now looks almost new.
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
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 know.
LORD MAYOR’S CORNER
A highlight last week was being among the guests in Parliament Square for the unveiling of a statue of suffragette Millicent Fawcett, at a ceremony attended by, among others, the Prime Minister and Mayor of London. Later the same day, Christopher and I attended Evensong at Westminster Abbey followed by Interment of Ashes of The Very Rev Wesley Carr, former Dean of Westminster Abbey, who died last July. We returned to the Abbey on Wednesday to mark ANZAC day. I also hosted a reception for runners in the London Marathon who raised funds for my mayoral charities. We also marked the 150th anniversary of St Andrews Youth Club at a reception in Speaker’s House at the Palace of Westminster.
Tonight, 29 April, Chris and I are guests of the Pride’s Got Talent finals at Charing Cross Theatre. This coming week I am guest speaker at the Foreign Office talking about diversity and inclusion, and I will also be speaking at a ceremony to mark the 19th anniversary of the bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho. I will be a guest at the London Press Club Awards and will attend the annual Tyburn Lecture at the convent near Marble Arch. Next Sunday I will be at St Martin in the Fields, where I am the guest speaker at their theology group.
St James & St John School Gate Gossip
Temperatures may have dropped significantly after last week's mini heat-wave, but it can't be denied that our children's activities are increasingly taking place outdoors and that upcoming events are now predominantly taking place outside. Today, we have three sports activities which are worth highlighting: We are delighted that our school has been selected to take part in a number of sports competitions this term and we will report back in due course, hopefully with plenty medals won. The other activities are two trips to Paddington Recreation Ground this term as we are using some of our sports premium grant this year to hold extra sessions there. Dates for your diary: PFA Quiz at the Lancaster Hall Hotel on May 17th (tickets for sale from the school or your PFA representative).
Under Five’s Playgroups
An international playgroup aimed at Russian speakers meets in St John’s on Wednesdays at 10am. Another playgroup meets on 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.
