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.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert 2022
Along with observing Remembrance Sunday, our annual Jenny Clark Memorial Concert this year is next Sunday, 13th November, after the 10am service. This is always an excellent musical feast so be sure this date is marked in your diaries now!
St John’s Late
St John’s Late returns for the autumn from 13th November.
13th November, 6pm
Compline by Candlelight
Night prayer sung by the choir: a sung service stunning in its simplicity. The anthem will be Carissimi’s O Beatum Virum. The service will be preceded by a soup and cheese supper in the hall at 5pm - please sign up in the porch if you would like to join us.
20th November, 7pm
Jazz Mass
A joyous mass to lift the spirits! The choir sing a jazz setting accompanied by piano and double bass – Don Gillthorpe’s Jazz Missa Brevis! The anthem will be Steal Away from Michael Tippett’s oratorio Child of Our Time.
Advent 2022
Advent Carols, 27th November, 6pm
The first of our great carol services takes place at 6pm by candlelight. This service always features outstanding music and this year is no different. The theme of this year’s service is ‘Expecting', and features music by CPE Bach, Goodall, Whitacre, K Jenkins, and from the musical Hairspray, along with seasonal carols for everyone to sing. There will be mulled wine and homemade mince pies after.
Advent Unlocked, 4th December, 6pm
A new addition to our Advent season, Advent Unlocked will be a different kind of service, delving deeper into the theme we are exploring this year, ‘Expecting’. We will be asking the question how can we use the lens of Mary’s pregnancy to understand our own Choice accepting Jesus, the Mystery of living with faith, the Intimacy God wants with us, the Pain of sacrifice and changing ourselves and the Expectations we have of the second coming? A great and hopefully slightly challenging service in church to complement our Advent carols. Do ask Georgina if you would like to know more.
Christingle Service, 11th December, 4pm
A special service for children of all ages. Come make a Christingle, incorporating symbols of Jesus coming as the Light of the World.
Giving to St Johns
If you would like to give via bank transfer, our details are: Name: St John the Evangelist, Bank: HSBC, Sort Code: 40-11-58, Account #: 80108251. Donations given electronically still qualify for Gift Aid as your name will appear alongside your donation. If you have any questions about giving, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
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:
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. 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? A New Heaven and a New Earth
a lecture by Rowan Williams
Monday 14th 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 21st 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.
Silent Film - Nosferatu
12th November 2022, 7.00pm
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. Tickets are available in advance via hydeparknosferatu.eventbrite.co.uk for £12.50 or on the door for £15.00.
Bible Book Club
7.30-8.45pm Wednesday 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 .
St John’s Pub Quiz!
Wednesday 23rd November (NEW DATE!), 7pm
We have arranged a new date and the quiz will go ahead. Tickets are £20 including entry to the quiz and dinner. Invite some friends and a form a team of 6 to 8 or come on your own and join a team.
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
