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.
Sung Eucharist for Ascension, 30th May, 8pm
The Ascension, coming 40 days after Christ’s resurrection, is the culmination of Easter, the season in which we celebrate the stories of the risen Christ. This year Ascension falls on the 30th May and we will celebrate it with a choral eucharist at 8pm. The choir will sing Carter’s Missa Sancti Pauli and the anthem will be Ascending into Heaven by Weir. This is a special service with some very good music – do come along and get your bank holiday weekend off to a great start!
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 first Wednesday of the month – the next meeting is on 5th June. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
Whitsun Carols, 9th June 2019
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 seasonal reception of Pimms and cucumber sandwiches will follow.
Priesting of Dan Warnke
Sunday, 30th June, 4pm
This will be a very special day for Dan as he is priested at St Mary’s, Stoke Newington, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES. Do come along and support him. He will celebrate Holy Communion for the first time the following Sunday, 7th July, at the 10am service and we will have our summer barbecue after the service in the Raynham Gardens by kind permission of the residents.
Diocese of London Appeal
Modern Day Slavery
In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, in a capital city heralded for its history and culture, modern slavery is thriving. Hundreds of people are trapped by domestic servitude, forced labour or sexual exploitation, all in plain sight of Londoners. Many more are at risk of falling through the cracks, hidden from the view of the authorities, charities and the church. Behind those statistics there are real people. This year’s Appeal will build on the work of the Clewer Initiative, part of the national church’s approach to eradicating modern day slavery, which was launched by the Archbishop Justin in October 2017.
The Vicar and Churchwardens felt it appropriate to support this appeal. For the next 4 Sundays there will be opportunity to contribute via a bucket collection after the service. Please give as generously as you can.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met recently and selected its next two books: The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes and Rabbit Run by John Updike. They will meet on 1st July to discuss The Noise of Time. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
Mid-week Services
St John’s isn’t just a church for Sunday! There are services at 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. Monday’s service is a eucharist and there is a said evensong Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Services take place in the sanctuary and are open to all.
NB Due to the bank holiday, there will not be a service on Monday 27th May.
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.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Fernando Montano Gala in aid of the Marine Conservation Society
18th July, 7.40pm
Our very own Fernando, soloist with the Royal Ballet Company, is staging a night of dance, opera and classical music at the Royal Academy of Music, NW1 5HT. This is part of his 'Dance for the Sea' project to help raise awareness of the problems caused by plastic in the ocean and is in aid of the Marine Conservation Society. Hosted by Sian Lloyd, guests include the Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Justina Gringyte, soon to play the title role in the ENO's production of Carmen at the London Coliseum. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for the interval and post-show VIP drinks receptions at an additional cost, when Fernando and the cast will be present and ten unique underwater photos of Fernando and plastic by Robin Conway will be on display. Members of our congregation donated plastic and worked in the Parish Hall to create the backdrops and plastic art installations used! Prices to be announced shortly. To register your interest, speak to Lesley Gray or contact the Parish Office, 020 7262 1732, parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com
An Evening with William Shawcross
CHANGE OF DATE
Tuesday 17th September 7.00pm at the Vicarage
Meet the Author Evening in aid of St John ‘s high roof works appeal: St John's is very fortunate that parishioner William Shawcross, recently retired chair of the Charities Commission, broadcaster (for BBC television he wrote and presented in 1995 the series Monarchy and in 2002, to tie-in with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the series Queen and Country), author and historian has agreed to be the guest of honour at a Meet the Author Evening. All profits from this occasion will go towards the St John’s High Roof Works Appeal. The evening begins with a fizz and canapés reception from 7pm, followed at 7.30pm by the author’s talk on his 2009 book ‘The Queen Mother: The Official Biography’ and a question and answer session. Bring your copy if you would like the author to sign it! A two-course buffet supper with wine will then be served, with an opportunity to speak to William (and ask all those questions which you were too shy to ask earlier!). All this for £48, numbers are limited, with payment to Margaret please, cheques preferred.
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 be preparing music for the upcoming Wizard of Oz school project. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
School Gate Gossip
Well done to our students who showed real grit and determination in their focus during the past week’s SATs exams. All students applied themselves and demonstrated all of our school values with such clarity that everyone should be incredibly proud of them. Year 4 attended another of the series of concerts held at Wigmore Hall: entitled Heroes & Villains, the performance featured countertenor Patrick Terry and presenter Isabelle Adams in a journey through the 18th century world of opera. This past Thursday was the PFA Pub Quiz held at the Lancaster Hall hotel (thank you again for your support!) to raise important funds for a very wide and ever-increasing range of activities and projects. Thank you to all who joined and the PFA for organising. Our school May Day Dance took place on Friday, and each of the classes took turns in performing at it. It was great to see many friends of the school attend and join in with one of the most joyous events in our school calendar! Right after the holidays our school will have our first Science Week. During this, the children will be engaged in a range of practical learning outcomes and activities that will help broaden their understanding of science across the curriculum. But before all that our children will enjoy a well deserved break over the holidays.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from10-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2.
Church Camping
Epping Forest, 14-16 June
There are plans afoot for a camping trip to descend upon Debden House, Epping Forest in June (a number of plots have already been booked). If you're a happy camper and want to join in then you would be most welcome. Even if you don’t have a tent, but would like to go, please let either Samantha or Becky know and we’ll see what we can do – equally, if you do have a tent to lend then please do the same. Everyone is welcome, as would be some sunny weather! It’s easy to get there on the Central Line and we can arrange lifts to help get you to the site (about two miles from the station).
