Betty’s Birthday #BETTY161
This morning, immediately following our 10am service there will be an organ recital by Tammas Slater. Our new organist shows off his skills with music by Bach, Boulanger and Grainger. J.S. Bach Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 Nadia Boulanger Trois Pièces, Percy Grainger (arr. Wolfgang Stockmeier) Handel in the Strand.
Culture Ventures (CVs)
Wednesday, 21st October, 7pm
Venturing to taste another's culture, to share in their passion and what they enjoy, is a great way to expand our personal ‘cv’, our ‘curriculum vitae’ which literally translated means 'flow of life'.
As Deborah begins to explore how we can invite one another into the things that give us life, things that will hopefully expand our comfort zones, she is very grateful to Krissie Poyser for suggesting a 'Culture Venture' that is close to her heart. Through Krissie, on Wednesday 21st October we are invited to 'Mime in Motion' at the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden. Audience members will have the chance to discover more about the storytelling capabilities of ballet as dancers are coached in mime excerpts from Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Tickets are £20 and the event runs from 7–9pm.
If you would like to join us please contact Deborah – deborah@stjohns-hydepark.com or Krissie - poyserkandc@aol.com by Sunday 18th October.
The group will meet outside the Royal Ballet School at 6.45pm before the event and gather for a drink afterwards. If anyone needs help with getting there please let Deborah or Krissie know.
Deborah looks forward to getting to know everyone better, perhaps at this event or at others that will be suggested over the coming months. Please speak with Deborah if you have any suggestions for future ventures.
Memorial Service for Elizabeth Neale
Thursday, 22nd October, 12.30pm
A memorial service for Elizabeth Neale has been arranged for Thursday, 22nd October, at 12.30pm. We invite all who knew or loved Elizabeth to join us for this time of shared remembrance, prayer and thanksgiving.
St John’s Quiz Evening
Thursday, 22nd October, 7pm
This year we have a new quizmaster – Diane! The quiz night will be another fundraiser in aid of the hall. Form a team of up to 8 or come on your own and help to build a team on the evening. Tickets are £20/person and include a homemade cottage pie supper! Book your tickets now!
If you wish to help out and provide a cottage pie – meat or vegetarian – that will serve 8-10 persons, please speak to Philip or send an email to parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com.
Jenny Clark Memorial Concert
Sunday, 1st November, 11.30am
Cyrill Ibrahim, concert pianist.
This year’s Jenny Clark Memorial Concert takes place on 1st November following the 10am service. Cyrill Ibrahim is “one of the most exciting pianists of his generation" according to The Daily Telegraph. He has performed for the King and Queen at Balmoral, at the British Embassy in Rome and has even played for Kim Kardashian. His debut album was featured on Radio 3 and Classic FM and he has been profiled in Tatler, Gentleman’s Journal and Attitude magazines.
His programme will include Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise alongside works by Philip Glass and others. www.cyrillibrahim.com
All Souls
2nd November 2026, 6pm
We mark this special festival with a service at which we remember those who are part of the church community but who have died. There will be a sung mass by the choir and the setting will be Lotti’s Requiem. If you will be at the service and wish to have loved ones remembered, please add them on the sign up sheet in the porch. As part of the liturgy, there will be opportunity for you to light a candle and place it on the altar in remembrance of your loved ones.
Bible Book Club
Dates for your diary: 4th November and 1st December (Advent Course), all 7.30pm.
Here I Stand Autumn Lectures
This autumn we will be attending three of the acclaimed Here I Stand lectures at St Martin in-the-Fields. The series brings together leading speakers to explore important questions of social justice, global responsibility, spirituality and human life. The remaining lecture is:
Monday, 9th November, 7pm
In the City and the Country with Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse.
We meet outside at 6.45pm. Following each lecture, we will gather for drinks in the crypt and an opportunity to discuss the evening together. There is a suggested donation of £10 for each lecture, payable on the night via a retiring collection. For tickets, please contact Alex at alex@stjohns-hydepark.com
St John’s Late
Returning in November, 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.
Compline
8th November 6pm
This ancient monastic service, in a candlelit church, is stunning in its simplicity. The service is sung and the anthem is Salvator Mundi by H. Walford Davies. A signup sheet will be available closer to the time if you wish to join us for supper beforehand in the hall at 5pm.
Choral Evensong
15th November, 6.00pm
This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book and will be sung by our choral scholars along with students from QCL.
Jazz Mass
22nd November, 6.00pm
The atmosphere of a jazz club, great music and the beauty of the eucharist meet in this fantastic service with wine and nibbles available throughout. The setting is A Little Jazz Mass by B. Chilcott and the anthem is The Gospel Train arr. Buckland.
Carol Services – Save the dates
More information will be available soon, however the dates are:
Advent Carols – 29th November 2026, 6pm
Music and readings exploring Advent followed by a mulled wine and mince pie reception.
Nine Lessons & Carols – 20th December 2026, 6pm
A traditional candlelit service of lessons and carols followed by fizz and panettone.
Prom Concerts
Sunday 17th January, 11.30am
Kieran Hughes, flautist & Robert Bottriell, pianist
Sunday 28th February, 11.30am
Master and Disciple II: Greenhill Returns
Solos and duets for piano and organ, performed by our illustrious Music Director Emeritus, Herr Robert Greenhill, and the artist formerly known as "Little Nicky".
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. The PCC has set aside some funds for this last year. The Dog Collar Dinner in September was the first of what we hope to be a few fundraising events to raise money for the refurbishment. Works are expected to commence in the final week of February 2027.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
War Memorial
New Life for our Cherished War Memorial We are delighted to announce that St John’s has secured £650 pounds ‘seed money’ to begin the process of repairing the war memorial in our churchyard. Seventy-five percent was donated by the War Memorials Trust (WMT) and the remainder by an anonymous donor. In making the award, WMT Director, Frances Moreton, said it was “so important that communities come together and maintain these historic monuments to ensure that we never forget those who gave their lives for future generations”. She said the WMT was “delighted to be working with St John’s on this project, which is also supported by Historic England, to ensure that the repair is conducted according to best practice and with maximal involvement of the community”. If anyone wishes to know more or get involved in the project, please be in touch. In the initial phase, we have contracted a conservation-accredited surveyor to conduct a structural assessment, and once that is complete, we will create a schedule of works in order to go out to tender and finalise a contract with a specialist conservation firm. And of course, as we move to the actual repair phase, we will need to raise further funds. Our ambition is to begin work next year.
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 25th October.
Book Club
The next book club will be on 16th November 2026. The book choice is "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning", a cult classic of post-war, working-class life in Nottingham that follows the exploits of Arthur Seaton, a hard-drinking, hard-fighting factory worker who knows exactly what he wants and is sharp enough to get it. First published in 1958 to instant critical acclaim, the novel was adapted into a groundbreaking 1960 film that transformed British cinema. For further information about the book club please contact Irwin Nazareth.
