Back to School Sunday
7th September, 10am
Starting school is the first big step as our children grow up. This morning we give a blessing to all children going to school and there will also be a presentation of a St John’s pencil case to all children going into reception. All school age children will receive a commemorative St John’s wristband.
The Choir
This morning we welcome the choir back from their summer break. A special welcome to our choral scholars for the coming year: sopranos Rachel McLean and Madeleine Perring, alto Niamh Kearney, tenors Tim Burton and Quito Clothier and baritones Hugo Burgess and Sonny Fielding. Do take the opportunity to greet them over coffee after the service.
Bible Book Club
Tuesday 9th September at 7.30pm: Wisdom Literature
"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." – Miles Kington
What’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom? This one-hour Bible study invites us to explore that very question through three powerful books of the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. From practical advice to philosophical reflection and spiritual wrestling, these texts reveal the richness of biblical wisdom and its relevance for our lives today. Please email Alex if you wish to attend: 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.
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.
Sunday 28th September, 11.30am
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.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert
Sunday, 2nd November, 11.30am
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. Entry is free.
Save the Date!
St John’s Quiz Evening
Thursday, 23rd October, 7pm
Chris Cochran, landlord of The Victoria, returns to test our general knowledge.
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 Atkinson’s 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.
