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.
15th September, 7.00pm
Rowan Williams, theologian, former Archbishop of Canterbury
6th October, 7.00pm
Mariana Mazzucato, world renowned economist
(The Christian Aid Annual Lecture)
17th November, 7.00pm
Dame Mary Beard, preeminent British classicist
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.
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 – Free Admission
Master & Disciple: Organ & Piano Duets
An international musician of great acclaim joins us all the way from Germany! The inimitable Herr Greenhill is back to delight us and help us celebrate Betty’s 160th birthday. There will be solo numbers and duets of Bach, Pierne, Saint-Saens (The Swan), Handel (Arrival of the Queen of Sheba) & Gluck (Melodie from Orfeo ed Eurydice). There is no charge for this concert.
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.
Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist
5th October 2025, 10am
Our annual giving of thanks for the fruit of the earth will take place on 5th October. It is traditional for the older children will read the lessons and lead the intercessions and the younger children will be in church for longer than normal. As usual, we will be collecting dried foodstuffs for the food bank at St Matthew’s, Bayswater. Do add a few things to your shopping list that week.
Bible Book Club
Wednesday, 8th October, 7.30pm
October’s Bible Book Club takes up Pilate’s famous question to Jesus: “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Together we will explore how the Bible speaks about truth, not simply as facts or information, but as something bound up with God’s character and revealed in Christ. In an age of “fake news,” shifting opinions and the powerful influence of social media, we will reflect on how Scripture can help us discern and live by the truth in today’s world.
If you wish to attend please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
Invitation to a Civic Shabbat at the West London Synagogue
Saturday, 11th October, 11am
As part of the Board of Deputies’ Civic Shabbat and the European Day of Jewish Culture and Heritage, The West London Synagogue has invited members of St John’s to a special service on Saturday 11th October at 11am. The synagogue will be decorated for Sukkot and during the service a young member will be celebrating her bat mitzvah and two members will be marking their second bnei mitzvah at the age of 83!
If you would like to attend, please let Alex know: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
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! This is always a good fun evening.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert
Sunday, 2nd November, 11.30am - Free Admission
This year’s Jenny Clark Memorial Concert 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.
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 28th September at 12.30pm.
Book Club
Book Club met last week and discussed their latest read – Kate Atkinsons Transcription. They selected their next book – Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen, to mark the 250th anniversary of her birth on 16th December 1775 and 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.
