Farewell, St John’s Choral Scholars
This morning is the final Sunday for this year’s choir. We will have opportunity to thank them over coffee and fizz for the wonderful gifts that they have brought to our worship through their singing this past year. Over the summer we will transition to our summer Sunday pattern where we use a congregational setting around folk tunes and welcome a guest musician to play alongside a cantor.
Vicar’s 60th
This morning, we also mark a miraculous milestone – the Vicar turns 60! Please join us for a glass of fizz or coffee after the service and wish him a happy birthday.
Safeguarding and Photography at St John’s
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a priority at St John’s. A copy of the PCC’s Safeguarding Policy is available in the porch and on the parish website. Photographs of the church may be taken outside of services but please do not take any pictures during the service. When photographing the church, should you happen to capture people in your photographs, please delete them. Safeguarding concerns can be raised in the first instance with the church’s Safeguarding Officer, Mary Langford: safeguarding@stjohns-hydepark.com.
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.
Dates for your diary:
Sunday 28th September, 11.30am
Master & Disciple: Organ & Piano Duets
given by Robert Greenhill & Nick Miller
Free Admission
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.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Book Club
Book Club next meets on 14th July and the book choice is the classic Sanskrit book The Kama Sutra, meaning ‘Principles of Love’. It is an ancient Indian Hindu Sanskrit text attributed to Vātsyāyana (this translation is in English by Sir Richard Burton & F F Arbuthnot). For further information about the book club, please speak to Irwin Nazareth
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 20th July at 12.30pm.
