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
St John’s Quiz Evening
Thursday, 23rd October, 7pm
Chris Cochran, landlord of The Victoria, will once again have an array of questions to test your general knowledge. Form a team of up to 8 or come on your own and help to form a team on the evening. Tickets are £20/person and include a cottage pie supper – homemade! Form your team and book your tickets now! If you wish to provide a cottage pie – meat or vegetarian – that will serve 8-10 persons, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger. We have heard that you are interested but as of today we have actually only sold 4 tickets.
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 for the Jenny Clark Fund in 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.
Save the Date
Bible Book Club
November’s Bible Book Club will take place on Wednesday, 5th November at 7:30pm with more information coming soon.
If you wish to attend please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
St John’s Lunch Club
The next lunch club will be on Sunday, 16th November at the Duke of Kendal with a Sunday roast. Further details will be available nearer the date.
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 12th October 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.
