Hearing the Service
St John’s has an Induction Loop System so if you have a hearing aid, please switch it to the ’T’ setting.
Spring Term 2018 Anthems
This term’s offering of anthems during the Sunday morning service has two main themes running through it: on one hand we take a look at ‘God on Stage’, uncovering some of the ways religious themes and ideas have appeared in musical theatre shows over the years, either more or less overtly, and we also celebrate a range of major composers who celebrate important anniversaries in 2018.
This summer, August 25th would have seen the 100th birthday of legendary American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who died in 1990. One of the first US conductors to achieve worldwide renown, he spent 11 years as music director of the New York Philharmonic, conducted most of the world’s greatest orchestras and composed for musicals including West Side Story, Candide and On the Town, as well as his Mass, three symphonies and other shorter works.
Chichester Psalms, commissioned for the 1965 Chichester Festival, sets various words from the Psalms of David. It is scored for choir, orchestra (or organ), choir and a soloist, which part the composer states must be sung either by a countertenor or by a boy treble, but not by a female. It is thought this is because he wanted today’s movement, Psalm 23, to be heard as if sung by the young King David himself.
Community Charity Concert
Thursday, 19th April, 7.30pm
The choral scholars of St John’s, Hyde Park will be joined by the singers from the Duke of Kendal and the Swedish church choir for this annual community extravaganza. Tickets will be available after Easter - £10 per adult, £5 concession. The programme will feature a selection of songs from West Side Story. Tickets are available from one of the choir. Proceeds from the evening will to go Opening Doors London.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Ian Adams, is delighted to attend the concert and to endorse the work undertaken by Opening Doors London in providing befriending and support to older LGBT+ residents in Westminster and elsewhere. He encourages you to come along for a fun-filled evening of musical entertainment - with plenty of audience participation guaranteed!
Confirmation
On Sunday, 22nd April, the acting Bishop of London will be presiding at a service of Confirmation. Courses preparing children and adults for Confirmation are now running. If you would like to be confirmed or if you would like to explore the possibility of being confirmed, please talk with one of the clergy. Do come along on the day and support those who are being confirmed.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club next meets on Monday, 23rd April, when they will be discussing The Bell by Iris Murdoch. See Michael King for further information.
Whitsun Carols, 20th May 2018
A unique musical service at 6pm concluding our annual cycle of carol services which tell the events of the Christian year. At Whitsun Carols we commemorate the events from Easter to Pentecost, with readings and musical selections from the choir and guest musicians. including Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, Easter from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs, Tavener’s They Are All Gone into the World of Light and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No 4. A reception with the first of the summer Pimms will follow.
Celebrate!
Marking a special birthday? Celebrating an anniversary? Wanting to remember that special person? St John’s can help! To honour a loved one or to commemorate a special event, you can sponsor some music or flowers, have fizz & refreshments after the service - there are lots of possibilities. If you would like to observe a special occasion or honour someone special, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Children’s Community Choir
Thursdays, 4.10pm
The Children’s Community Choir is open for children 6 years old and above, sessions will be 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
LORD MAYOR’S CORNER
One of the annual highlights of the mayoral calendar took place last Sunday, 8 April, when almost all the Mayors from each London Borough joined myself and the Lord Mayor of the City of London on the ‘Whittington Walk’ - in honour of the first Lord Mayor of London - which involved a six-mile route from Whittington Hospital near Archway to Mansion House in the City. Looking ahead, this afternoon Chris and I are attending a special evensong and reception at Westminster Abbey, with the Archbishop of Canterbury delivering the address, for those attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference. On Tuesday I will be present at a dinner at Guildhall in the City as part of the Commonwealth conference. I’m looking forward to hosting two special receptions this week, one for workers in our emergency services and a tea with local faith leaders, which Steve is also attending. Another highlight will be the community concert at St John’s on Thursday, in aid of Opening Doors London, who offer befriending and support to older LGBT+ residents. Next weekend, Chris and I are guests of the Royal Society of St George for a Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph followed by a reception at Westminster Abbey.
St James & St John School Gate Gossip
St James’s and St Michael’s is our local Church of England school. At the heart of our school is a clear commitment to nurturing and helping children to reach their full potential in a traditional atmosphere of Christian education. We aim to provide a stimulating, challenging and friendly environment underpinned by trust and partnership with parents. Our children have been enjoying their Easter Break and will kick-off the Summer term on April 16th.
Under Five’s Playgroups
An international playgroup aimed at Russian speakers meets in St John’s on Wednesdays at 10am. Other playgroups meet on Wednesdays at 3.45pm and Thursdays at 10am. Suggested donation for all groups: £2. Information about the playgroups can be found at www.HPPplaygroup.weebly.com and www.HPPrussian.weebly.com for the Russian speaking playgroup.
NB Playgroups will resume on 18th April.
