St John’s Late
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. They run at 6pm on Sunday evenings between Epiphany and Lent.
Choral Evensong
15th February, 6.00pm
Our final service in this series of St John’s Late is Evensong, 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 Ayleward with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by T A Walmisley in D minor and the anthem Sorenson’s Benediction of Peace.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday falls this year on 18th February. As usual there will be a said lunchtime service at 12.00 noon and a sung Eucharist at 6.00pm., featuring Byrd’s Mass for 4 Voices and Allegri’s Miserere. If you still have your palm crosses from last year, do bring them in and we will burn them to make this year’s ash.
Upcoming Carol Services
Carol Service for Lent
Sunday 1st March, 6pm
This seasonal service of music and readings explores the themes of Lent. This year’s theme is Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return and this service seeks to assist us on our Lenten journeys with readings and music by Ethan Sperry and Bach and from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The service will be followed by an appropriate Lenten reception with hot cross buns.
Passion Carols
Sunday 29th March, 6pm
The latest addition to our cycle of great carol services, this is a special service on Palm Sunday evening where we recall the events leading up to Easter: the Last Supper, the betrayal of Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.
Confirmation Classes
There will be a Confirmation service on Sunday 8th March at 10am. If you would like to be confirmed at this service, please contact Alex for further information.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
This year’s annual meetings take place 22nd March immediately after the 10am service. The first step in preparation for these meetings is to revise the Electoral Roll. Accordingly, the Roll will be open until 4th March, after which it will be closed until the conclusion of the APCM. Having your name entered on the Electoral Roll is an indication of your involvement in the life of the parish and entitles you to attend and take part in the annual meeting. It is also something that Church of England schools ask about when applying for a place. Forms are available from the table at the back or from Bryan Sollenberger.
Improvement Projects for St John’s
We have embarked on several building projects to improve the security and enhance our ancillary spaces.
Security Gates
The side gardens on the north and south side of the church for years have suffered from use by rough sleepers, drug users and prostitutes. Security gates and railings were initially designed by Colin Kerr before his retirement and then completed by John Bailey. Approval was obtained from Westminster City Council and the Diocesan Chancellor and they were installed in October and November last year. They were funded by a grant from the Community Investment Levy obtained for us by Philip Matei.
Vestry Renovation
Now that we have upgraded our vestments, we need to store them appropriately. The upstairs vestry is also badly in need of refurbishment and redecoration. We have obtained consent to carry out these works and to have a vestment chest made that can store the vestments appropriately. We have also ordered a wooden table and chairs so that the space can be used for small meetings and for the clergy to see people pastorally. The PCC set aside funds last year to cover the cost of these works. The furniture is being made off site and the refurbishment will begin late February or early March.
Hall Refurbishment
The hall was expanded around 1973 and, aside from a new kitchen in 1995 and new toilets in 2015, we have not invested much beyond routine maintenance in the space. It is a key asset for the local community and is badly in need of upgrading. Paint Pots’ departure last year has given us an opportunity to carry out significant works to it while we locate a new tenant. We are currently seeking the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee and hope to begin the works later in the spring. The PCC has set aside some funds for this last year but there may be some fundraising events in support of this project.
Retiring But Not Shy
Bryan Sollenberger has been serving the parish for nearly 33 years. He is now at an advanced age and wishes to start claiming his state pension before Rachel Reeve cuts it or raises the age for claiming it so he will be retiring on 30th April 2026. His last Sunday will be 26th April, when we will mark this momentous occasion.
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 will be held on 15th February.
Book Club
At their last meeting Book Club had a stimulating discussion of Daughter in Time, a historical fiction mystery by Jessica Tey. They also selected their next book, Mapp and Lucia, an old classic of social comedy and humorous fiction within the upper-middle-class English society of the 1920’s and 1930’s. They will meet on 23rd March to discuss it. If you would like to join Book Club, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
