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.
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 comes from the 1972 hit musical Pippin, by Stephen Schwartz. It follows Pippin the Hunchback, a young prince, and his father Charlemagne - both characters are fictitious but loosely based on historical medieval rulers. This song comes from the end of the first Act, by which point Pippin has, to his own mind, struck a great blow against tyranny by murdering his father King Charles. He sees in his own ascent to the throne a renewing of the world, and the sunrise of his own just and godly rule. "Morning glow fill the earth, come and shine for all your worth. We'll be present at the birth of old faith looking new."
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.
Prom Concerts
Prom concerts take place from time to time here at St John’s immediately after the 10am service. They last approximately 30-40 minutes and are open to all.
10th June, London Mandolin Ensemble
We are very pleased to have the London Mandolin Ensemble return - some of you may remember their last performance here in 2014! They will be playing a programme of contemporary pieces for mandolin and guitar set around the theme of ‘Places’. Beth Moxon, one of our contralto choral scholars, is the guest soloist.
24th June, Eltham College Boys’ Choir
The Eltham College Boys’ Choir will be singing here on 24th June, directed by Mr Tom Bullard and accompanied by our own Nick Miller. The programme, which the choir are performing on a tour to Lake Garda and Verona in early July, consists of a mixture of sacred and secular works.
Farewell to Antonio García Fuerte
We are pleased to announce that Antonio has been appointed Assistant Priest at St Barnabas with Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich and Assistant Chaplain at St Christopher’s Hospice. Antonio joined Team St John’s as a training curate after completing his training and being ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in the summer of 2015 - he was ordained priest a year later at St James’s, Sussex Gardens. We will say good-bye to Antonio and Alex and celebrate their time here on Sunday, 24th June. We are sad to see Antonio leave us but wish him well in his new ministry.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Visit to 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.
Celebrate the 97th birthday of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Monday 11th June
Gather at 10.30am in the foyer of The Victory Services Club, 63-79 Seymour St W2 2HF, www.vsc.co.uk, where Club member Lesley Gray has very kindly arranged for us to enjoy coffee/tea and Danish pastries. At 11.30am we have a short walk to Hyde Park where we watch the 42 Royal Gun Salute to mark His Royal Highness’s birthday. It is thrilling to watch teams of horses from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery gallop across the park pulling 6 thirteen-pounder guns at speed and then to listen as booming blanks are fired which reverberate through the ground. We are then cordially invited to the Vicarage, 18 Somers Crescent, W2 9PN where the Vicar is hosting a champagne and smoked salmon reception to celebrate the occasion. Total cost £20, including a donation to St John’s ministry. Coffee only £5, reception only £15. Please give payment to Margaret, cheques preferred, payable to ‘Margaret Legg’.
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 next meets on 2 July, when they will be discussing Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
Church Commissioners Sesquicentenary Celebrations
On 5th July, the Church Commissioners are celebrating 150 years of managing the Hyde Park Estate. As part of the festivities, Connaught Kitchens, in Connaught Street, is having a bric-a-brac stall with proceeds going to St John’s. Donations of bric-a-brac to support them are very welcome.
Alongside the bric-a-brac, there will also be Victorian games for children, a tombola and other activities. Mark this date in your diaries and come along to celebrate with Connaught Kitchens and the Church Commissioners and to support St John’s.
Save the Date
Dog Collar Dinner, 14th September 2018
This popular event returns in September. Further details will be released nearer the time but mark your diaries now!
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, St John’s Church
The Children’s Community Choir is open for children 6 years old and above. Sessions are 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
St James & St John School Gate Gossip
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." Please feel free to visit. The school is currently enjoying their half-term break and normal updates will resume next Sunday.
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 both groups is £2.
