Bible Book Club returns on the 2nd September 2026, 7.30pm
The Lost Treasure of the Temple: What Did Jerusalem Hide?
When Jerusalem fell, some of the greatest treasures of the ancient world disappeared. The golden menorah, sacred vessels and other objects from the Temple were seized, concealed or lost, and their fate has remained a mystery ever since. Join us as we follow the trail from the Temple of Solomon to Babylon and Rome, investigate the extraordinary treasure list found in the Copper Scroll, and explore the tradition that sacred objects were hidden before Jerusalem was destroyed. Could any of the Temple treasure still survive, waiting to be discovered beneath Jerusalem or somewhere else entirely? An evening of biblical mystery, archaeology, lost treasure and faith. Bible Book Club is going Hybrid, for those who cannot attend in person.
For further information or to receive the Zoom link, please contact alex@stjohns-hydepark.com Further dates for your diary: 2nd October, 4th November and 3rd December (Advent Course), all 7.30pm.
Memorial service for Jim Clark
Friday, 4th September, 12.30pm
A memorial service for Jim Clark has been arranged for Friday, 4th September, at 12.30pm. We invite all who knew or loved Jim to join us for this time of shared remembrance, prayer and thanksgiving.
Back to School Sunday
6th September, 10am
Starting school is the first big step as our children grow up. This morning we give a blessing to all children starting at a new school and there will also be a presentation of a St John’s pencil case to all children going into reception. All school age children will receive a commemorative St John’s wristband.
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 lectures are:
Monday, 7th September, 7pm
Muslims Don’t Matter with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi
Monday, 5th October, 7pm
A Blaze of Light: St Hild with historian and broadcaster Janina Ramirez
Monday, 9thNovember, 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
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, 27th 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,11th October, 11.30am
Betty’s Birthday #BETTY161
Organ recital by Nick Miller. With music by Bach, Rawsthorne and Peeters.
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. 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
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 but there may be some fundraising events in support of this project. We hope to hear back from our faculty application and begin works in the autumn.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
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.
Book Club
The next book club will be on 28th September 2026. The selected book is “Candide by Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)”, a biting satire that critiques optimism, religion, and societal conventions with wit and humour. First published in 1759, this masterpiece remains a cornerstone of Enlightenment thought and a timeless work of philosophical fiction. Voltaire’s sharp prose and biting commentary make Candide a brilliant exploration of human nature and philosophy. The humour, irony and insights continue to resonate with readers, make it one of the most celebrated works of Western literature. For further information about the book club please contact Irwin Nazareth.
