Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have families with children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club meets this morning in the hall with Red Balloon – the children go out after the Collect and re-join their families in time for communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
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.
Autumn Music Series
From September to the end of November, our services feature music extracted from oratorios. These large-scale works date from the early 17th century through to far more recent works by contemporary musicians and vary greatly in style.
Rebuilding St John’s!
Don’t be a spectator – get involved!
Your church needs you - now is the time to get positive and to rekindle the spirit of St John’s. We cannot do this by the staff team alone and we encourage members of the congregation to get back involved… We need servers to help carry the cross and candles in the service, people willing to help with coffee and hospitality, as well as people to help Red Balloon in Kids’ Club. For Kids’ Club to be revived we need to have more than one group and so the Red Balloon leaders need your help. If you are not currently volunteering, take this opportunity to get involved on one of the rotas. Speak to Bryan or Andre this morning!
St John’s Pub Quiz – POSTPONED!
We regret that the quiz evening has had to be postponed due to a conflict with the quizmaster’s diary. We are in the process of arranging a new date and will publicise it as soon as it has been agreed.
Activities for Children at St John’s
Red Balloon, who are co-ordinating our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings at St John’s, are expanding the programme of activities they offer.
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11am
Giggles & Gossip is aimed at parents with babies and toddlers. There will be soft play available and the club will also consist of crafts and a story time for the parents and children to take part in.
After School Group
Thursdays, 3.30-5pm
This group is for school children between reception and year six. Parents/Carers can drop off and collect their children. Children will play drama, lead games and explore biblical stories.
What Am I Living For?: The Search for Meaning
St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2022
26 Sept - 21 Nov
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, writes: "The pandemic and its aftermath have been a time of profound soul-searching for many, not just about the shape of their own lives, but about the nature of existence. But at St Martin's we've found this to be a time of awakened or reawakened faith for a lot of people, and our circle of engagement has grown. What is the truth about all things? What sense can we make of that which fits such truth - and that which doesn't? I'm looking forward to exploring some of the deepest questions of all with a wide range of contributors and a lively audience throughout this autumn.”
The series takes place at St Martin-in-the-Fields with a live audience. The lectures are also livestreamed. The suggested price for tickets is £10 to cover our costs, but free tickets are also available so as not exclude anyone who would like to come. All are welcome. More info at www.smitf.org/lectures.
Upcoming Lectures:
17 Oct: Human Rights - Rachel Mann, Bernárd Lynch, Peter Tatchell*
24 Oct: Telling Our Story - Patrick Gale, Chibundu Onuzo,
James Runcie, Sarah Meyrick
31 Oct: Life, Death and Friendship - Timothy Radcliffe
7 Nov: Equal Justice - Bryan Stevenson
14 Nov: A New Heaven and a New Earth - Rowan Williams*
21 Nov: Art - Grayson Perry*
We will go as a group from St John’s to the evenings marked *:
Meet Georgina at 6.45pm on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields to take our seats inside. The lecture 7-7.45pm, followed by a Q&A 7.45-8.30pm, and then we gather downstairs in the Crypt for drinks, nibbles, and a good discussion of what we have heard. You can book tickets at https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/whatson-event/what-am-i-living-for-human-rights/ The suggested price for tickets is £10 to cover St Martin’s costs, but free tickets are also available so as not to exclude anyone who would like to come.
What Am I Living For? Human Rights
a lecture by Peter Tatchell
Monday 17 October, 7-9pm
A conversation between Peter Tatchell (campaigner for 55 years), Canon Rachel Mann (writer, priest and broadcaster) and Bernárd Lynch (author and activist for 50 years), three people who have confronted prejudice and oppression and spent their lives speaking out with tremendous courage and at personal cost for human rights and to bring about change.
What Am I Living For? A New Heaven and a New Earth
a lecture by Rowan Williams
Monday 14 November, 7-9pm
Rowan Williams is world-renowned as a theologian and writer and for his wisdom, grace and spiritual insight. He was Archbishop of Wales before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury 2002-2012. He was then Master of Magdalene College Cambridge and Chair of Christian Aid. He has been a fellow of the British Academy since 1990 and has published many books including studies of Arius, Teresa of Avila, Sergei Bulgakov and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, together with writings and lectures on a wide range of theological, historical and political themes.
What Am I Living For? Art
a lecture by Grayson Perry
Monday 21 November, 7-9pm
Grayson Perry, with his unique creativity and power to communicate through seeing, hearing and sensing, concludes the St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series What Am I Living For? The Search for Meaning, speaking about the vital importance of art and creativity in discovering the meaning of our lives. Please contact Georgina to book your place or email parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark. com.
Bible Book Club
7.30-8.45pm Wednesday October 19th and November 16th
Bible Book Club will meet twice this term, to read and to discuss a passage from the Bible and conclude with Compline. In October we will discuss Daniel 2:20-21: God’s work in the powers of nature and the powers of humanity – how and why does God intervene, or not? In November we will discuss Luke 23.33-43: Christ as the King who rules – why would a king let himself be arrested, beaten and executed, and how does that effect our own use of power? Please talk to Georgina for details or email parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com .
All Souls
2nd November 2022, 6pm
On Tuesday, 2nd November, we mark this special festival with a service at 6pm at which we remember those who are part of the church community but who have died. This year the choir are singing Duruflés Requiem. During this service we remember those dear to us who have died - a list is available in the porch for you to add the names of those you would like to be remembered. As part of the liturgy, there will be opportunity for you to light a candle and place it on the altar in remembrance of your loved ones.
CONFIRMATIONS
Confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which those who have already been baptised affirm for themselves their Christian faith and at which, through prayer and the laying on of hands, the Church asks the Holy Spirit to empower them to live a life of committed discipleship. We will soon be running courses preparing children and adults for Confirmation. If you or your child would like to be confirmed or if you would like to explore the possibility of being confirmed, please talk with one of the clergy.
The Purcell Club at Westminster Abbey
Saturday, 22nd October 2022, 5.30pm
DEALINE TO BOOK – 16th October
Starting at 7.00pm, after the Abbey is closed to the public, there are monthly tours organised by the Purcell Club, a male voice group. The members, mostly Old Choristers of the Abbey, donate their time and give the income raised to charity. After a two-course buffet supper in the Abbey’s Cellarium (drinks extra), we assemble in the Cloisters to be welcomed officially to the Abbey and then move to seats in the Nave, where the speaker describes the history and architecture of the Abbey in some detail. We then tour the Abbey, pausing at locations of interest while anthems and other pieces from the 16th to 21st century are sung.
On returning to the Nave a short piece is played by one of the Abbey organists to demonstrate the Abbey’s magnificent organ. The tour ends with the choir singing a piece of suitable solemnity around the Unknown Warrior’s Grave. The evening concludes at approximately 9.15pm.
Meet at The Cellarium at 5.30pm. Tickets are £61, limited numbers and the deadline to book is 16th October. Cash to Georgina or one of the team, please, to secure your place.
Silent Film - Nosferatu
12th November 2022, 7.30pm
Get your garlic bulbs and wooden stakes as Nosferatu returns to St John’s! The original vampire film based loosely on Bram Stoker’s Dracula will be shown at here on Saturday, 12th November. We are pleased that this evening will also see the return of Nick Miller, our organist here until 2020, who will provide the organ accompaniment just like when it was originally shown in the cinema. Further information will be available shortly but note the date in your diaries.
