Betty’s Big Birthday
During 2025 we are celebrating the 160th birthday of our wonderful Hill & Son organ named Betty and the tenth anniversary of her full rebuild by Nicholsons of Malvern. The finale of this will be in November on St Cecilia’s Day, when we host a recital by world-renowned organist Prof. Dr. Ian Tracey, organist at Liverpool Cathedral and to the City of Liverpool.
Upcoming Events:
Friday 31st October, 7.30pm
Phantom of the Opera: Silent Film Screening
with live organ improvisation by Nick Miller
Tickets £10 in advance or £15 on the door.
Saturday 22nd November, 5pm
Betty’s Big Birthday Bash!
Celebrity Organ Recital by Prof. Dr. Ian Tracey, followed by drinks, cake and merriment. Tickets £16 in advance (online or via the parish office) or £20 on the door.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert
Sunday, 2nd November, 11.30am - Free Admission
This year’s Jenny Clark Memorial Concert commemorates the 25th anniversary of the death of Jenny Clark and takes place on 2nd November following the 10am service and is given by the Cygnus Trio. Our regular and wonderful cellist Hannah Lewis brings along violinist Javier Montañana and pianist Cesar Saura to present a programme of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Chopin & Arbos which will be a real treat. We are grateful to the Jenny Clark Fund for sponsoring this event.
All Souls
3rd November 2025, 6pm
We mark this special festival with a service at which we remember those who are part of the church community but who have died. If you will be at the service and wish to have loved ones remembered, please add them on the sign up sheet in the porch. 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.
Bible Book Club: Faith and Treason
Guy Fawkes and the Clash of Loyalties
Wednesday, 5th November, 7pm
On Bonfire Night we remember the Gunpowder Plot, a failed plan to blow up Parliament in 1605. It was an act of faith that failed and it raises big questions about loyalty, belief and power. Jesus once said, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and unto God that which is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). But what happens when those loyalties clash? Join us as we explore scripture to help us understand what it means to stay true to our faith in a world full of competing demands. If you wish to attend, please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
St John’s Late
Returning in November, St John’s Late services offer a friendly but contemplative space for those who’ve missed the morning, want to try something different or seek space for reflection.
Compline
9th November 6.00pm
This ancient monastic service, in a candlelit church, is stunning in its simplicity. The service is sung and the anthem is Hear My Prayer by K Briggs. Sign up if you wish to join us for supper beforehand in the hall at 5pm.
Jazz Mass
16th November, 6.00pm
The atmosphere of a jazz club, great music and the beauty of the eucharist meet in this fantastic service with wine and nibbles available throughout. The setting is Jazz Missa Brevis by Gillthorpe and the anthem is Harbold’s Prayer for a Broken World.
Choral Evensong
23rd November, 6.00pm
This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book and will be sung by our choral scholars. The setting for the responses is by Bernard Rose with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from C.V Stanford’s Evening Service in F.
St John's Lunch Club
16th November 2025
The next Lunch Club will be held at the Duke of Kendal Pub after church on Sunday, 16th November. We’ve agreed a menu offering a roast dinner (with a vegetarian option), along with a hot or cold pudding and a soft drink, all for £29.50 (including service). Alcoholic drinks can be purchased directly from the bar if desired. If you would like to attend please contact Alex for more info: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.
St Martin in-the-Fields’ Autumn Lecture Series
Here I Stand
St Martin in-the-Fields’ lecture series returns this autumn with inspirational speakers discussing those things for which they would be prepared to make a costly stand. We meet on the steps of St Martin’s at 6.30pm. After the lecture drinks are served in the crypt where we can discuss the evening together. There is a suggested donation of £10 for each event which can be made on the night. Please email Alex if you wish to attend: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com.
17th November, 7.00pm
Dame Mary Beard, preeminent British classicist
Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, 21st December 2025, 6pm
Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols starts our Christmas celebrations. This year we are pleased to have as our special guest the Bishop of London and next Archbishop of Canterbury, The Right Reverend Sarah Mullally. This will be her final visit to St John’s before taking over her new responsibilities at Lambeth Palace so do take this opportunity to wish Bishop Sarah well in her new role.
Consultation on the Appointment of the Next Bishop of London
The announcement on 3rd October that The Right Reverend Sally Mullally is to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury set in motion to appoint her successor as Bishop of London. The first stage of this process is for the Vacancy in See Committee (‘see’ being a reference to the area of a bishop’s jurisdiction) to produce a Statement of Needs for the Diocese to discern the character, skills and other qualities which will be sought in the new bishop.
The Committee is eager to hear from a wide range of voices across the diocese, from interested groups to individuals. A consultation is available online at https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/help-shape-the-future-of-the-diocese-of-london/ where you will find information about the process as well as a link to a survey. You can also access the survey via this QR code:
Everyone and anyone connected to the mission and life of the Diocese is encouraged to complete the survey.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Refugee Drop-in Volunteers
St John’s hosts a monthly Sunday drop-in centre for refugees run by the West London Synagogue. This provides families with a hot meal, a shopping voucher and a contribution towards their transport, as well as signposting for other practical help. The drop-in centre normally takes place on the third Sunday of the month and they are always open to volunteers to assist them. If you would like to join the volunteer crew, please speak to the Vicar. The next drop-in centre is 16th November at 12.30pm.
Book Club
Book Club met recently selected their next book – Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen, to mark the 250th anniversary of her birth on 16th December 1775. They will discuss this when they next meet on 27th October. Possibly the least read of her many works, it is also believed to have some political messages for our time. Adultery is not a standard Austen theme but she takes it head on when it disturbs the relatively peaceful household at Mansfield Park with unexpected results. Quite a revolutionary book for its time. For further information, speak to Irwin Nazareth.
