CONFIRMATION
We welcome as our president and preacher this morning the Right Reverend Jonathan Baker, Bishop of Fulham. A special welcome also to the families and friends of those being baptised and confirmed at this morning’s service: Brandon Ball, Ricardo Blair, Lacey Crust, Jonathan Douglas, Breianna McDonald, Mohammedrezza Falah, Stephan Tchoumi and Cyara Wilsenach.
The sacrament of Confirmation has its roots in an Episcopal blessing being given by the bishop to the newly baptized in the early church. The tradition was that, as the Church worshipped often through the night, the Presbyters would take candidates for baptism off to the baptistery for baptism while worship continued in the main body of the church. The newly baptized were then brought before the bishop for a blessing. As the Church grew in the early centuries, it became impossible for the local bishop to be present at every service in which baptisms took place and so the practice developed of the Episcopal blessing occurring on a separate occasion. Over the centuries, the Episcopal blessing invoking the Holy Spirit in Confirmation developed alongside the practice of infant baptism into the form that we know it today, although there has been an attempt in recent years to reunite Baptism and Confirmation for adults in the same service.
Following this morning’s service there will be a reception at the west end of the church for which we hope all will stay and use it as an opportunity to meet Bishop Jonathan as well as to congratulate the candidates and to share in their celebrations.
Mothering Sunday
Next Sunday morning we celebrate Mothering Sunday, when we give thanks for the many ways our mums have cared for and influenced us. During the service our children will give flowers to every woman in the congregation. We will also have a collection of dried and tinned foods in support of the food bank at St Matthew’s, Bayswater. This year they are especially requesting toiletries, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
Our annual meetings this year are on Sunday, 22nd March, immediately following the 10am service. These are the meetings where we receive the annual report and accounts and elect our churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives and members to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). This year we will be electing churchwardens, Deanery Synod representatives and two members to the PCC. Nomination forms are available at the back of church. Completed forms can be given to Bryan Sollenberger.
We are especially grateful to Gaynor Scruton, who completes her third term as churchwarden and this time has served an extra two years. We owe her a huge thank you for the time and energy she has invested in serving the parish and for her input into parish life. We wish her a very happy retirement.
Thanks also to Anna Haase and Chris Searle, who complete their terms on PCC. We are grateful to Anna for serving as deputy churchwarden for the past two years. The vitality of a parish like St John’s is dependent on people being willing to give of their time and skills in leadership of the parish. We are as a community grateful for all that they have brought and shared. Please think carefully about whether you might have skills you can share by standing for PCC.
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.
Bible Book Club
1st April - 7.30pm
Into the Wilderness and the Shadow of the Cross
with C.S Lewis, J.R. R.Tolkien and The Inklings
This Lent our Bible Book Club will be framed by two great moments in the story of Jesus: the wilderness at the beginning of his ministry and the Cross at its end. In our first session we stepped with Christ into the desert of Matthew 4, where stones, spectacle and worldly power test his trust in the Father. In our second session on 1st April we stand beneath the Cross in Mark’s account of the crucifixion and witness where that refusal of power finally leads.
Along the way we will be guided by the imaginative theology of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, drawing from the Lent book Wardrobes and Rings. The White Witch’s cold seduction, Edmund’s betrayal for comfort, the terrible beauty of the Ring that promises to do good while corrupting the heart, Boromir’s noble intentions and Frodo’s long obedience in a dark land all help us to see what temptation really is and why the way of Christ is so different.
These two evenings bookend Lent, moving from the desert to Golgotha. Come and discover how Middle Earth and Narnia illuminate the Gospel story. For more information please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
St John's Lunch Club returns!
19th April, Kendal Street Kitchen after the morning service
St John's Lunch club returns with a visit to the Kendal Street Kitchen. They will be providing us with a menu for around £30 a head including a soft drink. It promises to be a great time as usual in this thriving, busy local restaurant. For further information please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
Save the date - Parish Beetle Drive – 7th May
Join us for a parish beetle drive and pie and pea supper on the evening of 7th May in church. Whether you're a seasoned beetle player or completely new to the game, this promises to be a fun-filled evening; try your luck with the dice and help us raise money for St John's. Bring your friends, family and neighbours - all are welcome!
More details, including ticket information, will follow soon. But for now, save the date in your diaries and, if you have any questions, speak to Harriet Miller.
Improvement Projects for St John’s
We have embarked on several building projects to improve and enhance our ancillary spaces.
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.
Congratulations! - St James and St John Primary School
We are very proud of the achievements of our local Church of England Primary School – but with even greater reason now. In a recent report in the Daily Telegraph on primary school around the entire UK, St James and St John came 11th in reading, writing and maths. This is an outstanding achievement and we congratulate the head teacher, Adrian Evans, and his staff for their hard work in educating the children at the school.
Not Shy but Definitely Retiring
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 March.
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.
Safeguarding at St John’s
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a priority at St John’s. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) carries out an annual review of the parish’s Safeguarding Policy and the current policy is available in the porch and on the parish website. Safeguarding concerns can be raised in the first instance with the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mary Langford: safeguarding@stjohns-hydepark.com.
