In Memoriam and Thanksgiving for the Life of our Most Gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth II
During the official period of mourning, a Book of Condolence will be available for those wishing to do so to leave messages of condolence. A candle will be lit throughout the period on the altar and you can light a candle in memory of the late Queen from it.
The bell was tolled for 15 minutes on the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II as well as for one hour at 12noon on the day following the announcement. It was also rung for one hour at 4pm on Sunday to mark the accession of the new King, Charles III. It will be tolled on the day of the State Funeral for one hour beginning one hour before the Funeral.
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. Giacomo Carissimi (born 1605) was an Italian Baroque composer. His work Jephte is an example of an early Baroque Oratorio, setting text from the Old Testament to music. The chorus number, Plorate Filii Israel (Weep, you Children of Israel), comes right at the end of the work.
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!
Look up! Something’s Stirring!
As we begin to come out of the pandemic, we are grateful to those who have been steady in their financial support during the past two years, but now is the time for us to start thinking about rebuilding our music, taking on an organist, staffing and getting back to normal, so we need your help please. Your contributions are really valued and so, in the coming months, we plan to encourage members of the congregation to review their giving, or to give regularly if they don’t already do so, to help us fund our recovery.
Please continue to help us if you can by contributions either on Sunday mornings in the collection plate or, alternatively, directly to our bank account. 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.
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
The Purcell Club at Westminster Abbey
Saturday, 22nd October 2022, 5.30pm
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 £55, limited numbers. Cash to Georgina or one of the team, please, to secure your place.
Save the Date!
Social activities are returning to St John’s! Here is a heads up for future events:
Thursday, 13 October St John’s Quintessential Quiz Evening
Requiem in Pacem
It is with much sadness that we learned of the death of The Reverend Canon Thaddeus Birchard on 21st June. Thaddeus was vicar at St John’s from 1980 – 2001 and was an Honorary Canon of the Diocese of Louisiana. He came to St John’s when things were at a low point and built up a thriving and vibrant congregation. He was particularly instrumental in attracting members of the Americans community living in the area. This encouraged other international people into the congregation. During his time, St John’s installed the glass doors at the west end of the church, formed a housing association for those dying with HIV in the last months of their lives and began the fundraising which led to the replacement of the roof in 2003. Thaddeus died suddenly in Brussels and a funeral was held in Ghent at the end of July. We expect that a memorial service for him will be held at St John’s in the autumn.
Room Sought
An architecture graduate is spending a year in London working with an architectural firm and is need of a room. If you have one and would be interested in a tenant, please contact Moyra Murrell on 07877 638841, who will be happy to provide an introduction and give a reference.
