Whitsun Carols
Sunday, 31st May, 6pm
This evening is our ultimate carol service of the year marking the events from Easter to Pentecost. A unique service of readings and music including an excerpt from Mahler’s 8th Symphony alongside works by Dolly Parton, Holst, Finzi and the Love Theme from St Elmo’s Fire by David Foster. The service is followed by a seasonal reception of Pimms, and cucumber and mint sandwiches. Please join us if you can.
Congratulations to Jack Gonzales-Harding
Our wonderful organist Jack has been chosen to be the Conducting Fellow of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in Hamburg, Germany, for the 2026/27 season. This is a really prestigious and exciting opportunity for Jack and we wish him all the very best. Unfortunately for us it means he will be leaving St John's on Sunday 19th July to move to Hamburg, but before he gets out the door that day he will play a Farewell Prom Concert after his final service with us. We will miss his outstanding musicianship, but hope to tempt him back to see us whenever his work brings him back through London.
We will be advertising for a new organist very shortly.
Bible Book Club
Wednesday, 3rd June, 7.30pm
The Holy Grail – “History, Mystery, and the Cup of Christ”
What if one of the most famous objects in history was still waiting to be discovered? Join us for a fascinating and biblically grounded evening exploring the mystery of the Holy Grail through scripture, history, legend, and modern popular culture. Beginning with the biblical accounts of the Last Supper and Joseph of Arimathea, we will examine what the Bible actually tells us about the cup associated with Christ, before exploring how the story developed through the centuries. From King Arthur and the Crusades to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Da Vinci Code, we will uncover how faith, history, myth, and mystery became intertwined around one of Christianity’s most enduring legends. Expect biblical exploration, historical intrigue, ancient relics, conspiracy theories, and plenty of detective work along the way.
Please contact Alex if you wish to attend: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
The Great Get Together
Ukrainian Cathedral, York Street
Sunday, 21st June, 2pm
Young people and families are warmly invited to a special afternoon of conversation, friendship and community. Held in partnership with West London Synagogue and the Ukrainian Cathedral, this gathering will bring together teenagers and young people from different faith backgrounds to share experiences, build friendships and discover the values we hold in common. The Great Get Together is the UK’s annual celebration of everything that connects our communities, inspired by Jo Cox’s belief that we have more in common than that which divides us. Founded in memory of Jo Cox MP, the Jo Cox Foundation works to build stronger communities and encourage connection, compassion and understanding between people of all backgrounds.
For more information please contact Alex: alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
Summer Barbecue
Sunday, 28th June, 12pm
The 10am service on 28th June will be followed by our summer barbecue in the gardens behind the church. St John’s provides the meat and dessert; you are asked to bring a salad. Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £5 for children. Sign up on the sheet in the porch or by e-mailing Philip at parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com, making sure you let us know how many will be in your party and what salad you will be bringing.
Dates for Your Diary
Upcoming events you shouldn’t miss! Note the dates – further details will be forthcoming nearer the time.
Dog Collar Dinner
Friday, 18th September, 7pm
Our biennial Dog Collar Dinner returns this year on the 18th September. Tickets are £30/person. Application forms are available on the table in the porch, please indicate how many tickets you would like and how you will be making payment. As this is a fundraiser to pay for the refurbishment of the parish hall, there will also be an opportunity to make a donation on top. The evening begins at 7pm and we will be making our way across 3 staff properties with a course at each; you are asked to bring a bottle with you to contribute to the evening. A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the time.
Licensing of Deborah Marsh
Sunday, 20th September, 10am
We are very much looking forward to Deborah joining Team St John’s this coming autumn. Her licensing will take place during the morning service on Sunday, 20th September. Deborah will be taking up the house for duty post, living on Connaught Street and having a particular ministry within Culture Vulture Ventures.
Prom Concerts
Sunday, 19th July, 11.30am
Jack Gonzales-Harding, organist
Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Guilmant’s Sonata No.1 in D minor and Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs
13th September, 11.30am
Choral Scholar 2026/27 Showcase
Meet and hear this year’s group of wonderful vocal students as they start their time with us. Expect a range of song, opera and choral treats.
Sunday, 1st November, 11.30am
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert
Cyrill Ibrahim, concert pianist
This year’s Jenny Clark Memorial Concert takes place on 1st November following the 10am service. Further details will be available shortly.
Improvement Projects for St John’s
Vestry Renovation
The refurbishment of the vestry has now been completed. The newly refurbished vestry has now been redecorated, had a new carpet installed, a vestment press installed and has new wooden table and chairs. The renovation and the addition of a vestment chest means that now we can store the new vestments appropriately. It will also allow the clergy to hold pastoral meetings. Funds for the works were set aside by the PCC last year.
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. A key asset for the local community, it 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.
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 on the 21st June.
Book Club
The next Book Club will be on the 8th June 2026. The book selected is “Drive your plow over the bones of the dead” – Olga Tokarczuk” Originally published in Polish and translated to English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, the novel features the protagonist and narrator, from a remote Polish village, Janina Duszejko, an eccentric woman in her sixties, who recounts the events surrounding the disappearance of her two dogs. She is reclusive, preferring the company of animals to people; she’s unconventional, believing in the stars; and she is fond of the poetry of William Blake, from whose work the title of the book is taken. When members of a local hunting club are found murdered, Duszejko becomes involved in the investigation. This is not a conventional crime story, rather it is an existential thriller offering thought-provoking ideas on our perceptions of madness, injustice against marginalized people, animal rights, the hypocrisy of traditional religion, belief in predestination – and caused a genuine political uproar in Tokarczuk’s native Poland. For further information about the book club please contact Irwin Nazareth.
