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.
Remembrance Sunday
11th November 2018
This morning marks the centenary of the armistice ending the fighting on the western front during World War I. We will conclude the service by processing to the War Memorial in time to observe two minutes’ silence at 11am so to facilitate this this morning’s service is somewhat shortened accordingly. We will also have an act of remembrance and lay poppy wreaths.
Ceremony of Remembrance
To mark the armistice in a fitting way for St John’s, there will be a Ceremony of Remembrance this evening at 6pm. Set within the context of some beautiful music, alongside readings and poetry, there will be an act of remembrance and two minutes’ silence along with the extinguishing of the candle on the high altar that has been kept lit since the centenary of the outbreak of the war in memory of those whose lives were given in sacrifice during the war.. We will then commit ourselves to work towards peace in our time. The service features music by Britten, Fauré, Goodall, Holst, Howells and Rutter and a screening of a specially commissioned film.
Silent Film
At 8pm on Friday, 16th November, our series of silent film screenings continues with Robert Wiene's horror classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Directed by Robert Wiene and starring Werner Krauss and Conrad Veidt, it has been called "the first true horror film" and "cinema's first cult film”.
The story tells of an insane hypnotist who uses a somnambulist (sleep-walker) to commit murders and sets a script written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer - two pacifists left distrustful of authority after their military experiences during World War One - which deals with themes of brutal and irrational authority, the contrast between insanity and sanity, and the duality of human nature.
Featuring live, improvised organ accompaniment by Nicholas Miller. Tickets £8 in advance online or from the Parish Office, or £10 on the door.
https://hydeparksilentscaligari.eventbrite.co.uk/
St John’s Late
St John’s Late returns for the autumn.
18th November, 8pm
Compline by Candlelight
Night prayer with choir and flute, preceded by a soup & cheese supper at 7pm. A sung service stunning in its simplicity. The anthem is O Salutaris Hostis by Caplet.
25th November, 6,30pm
Jazz Mass
A celebration of the Feast of Christ the King with choir and double bass in the setting of a jazz club. The setting is Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis and the anthem is Hogan’s arrangement of Ride on, King Jesus.
The Wednesday Club
21st November, 7.30pm, Duke of Kendal
This is a new group meeting on the third Wednesday of the month in a local pub to discuss everyday ethics and how the things we think and do relate to our understanding of God and faith. This promises to be a lively and generous discussion, so do come and join us! To sign up or for further information, speak to Dan.
Stillness, Silence and Contemplation: a pre-Advent Quiet Day
This day is designed to help those of us who strive not to be completely swamped and overwhelmed by pre-Christmas busyness and to keep an inner space for contemplating, during Advent, the great Christmas mystery of the Word made flesh. The leader is the Franciscan Séamus Cullen, an Irish Roman Catholic with 27 years’ experience as a Spiritual Director, who is trained as a presenter of Centring Prayer and Ignatian Spirituality. Séamus will begin and end with a period of silence, and give 2 or 3 talks on the practice of silent prayer and on ways of finding and deepening, through prayer, an awareness of God present and active in our everyday lives. The venue is one of the clergy houses close to the church. Timings are approximately 11-4, with coffee/tea served on arrival and a ‘bring and share’ lunch break. A donation of £5 is suggested to help cover costs. More details from Margaret.
Advent 2018
The first Sunday of Advent is 2nd December this year. At the 10am service we welcome Joseph and Mary and bless them as they start their schlep around the parish. We also light the first candle of the Advent wreath.
Advent Carols, 2nd December, 6pm
This service always features some fantastic music and this year will be no different. The theme for this year’s service is Freedom and features Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Parry’s I Know My Soul, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Ye Sons of Freedom and To Him Your Grateful Notes from Handel’s Hercules and Rossini’s William Tell Overture. There will be mulled wine and homemade mince pies after.
Festival of St Nicholas, 9th December, 4pm
St John’s is celebrating the Festival of St Nicholas (aka Father Christmas) again this year. This seasonal all age service begins with the entrance of a boy bishop and ends with the arrival of Father Christmas and in between there will be storytelling and lots of children’s activities interspersed with all kinds of St Nicholas/Father Christmas music from the choir. After the service there will be a seasonal tea.
Nativity Play, 16th December, 10am
This year’s play is a closely guarded secret at the moment but we are assured it will be relevant and contain not a whiff of fake news. Casting the roles will take place after church on Sunday 9th December. Speak to Dan or Becky for more information.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 16th December 6pm
Our traditional carol service kicks off the countdown to Christmas. The choir will be accompanied by a multitude of musicians. The service will be followed by a fizz and panettone reception. This is one of the biggest musical treats of the year for all the family. Invite your friends and neighbours to join us for this festive community celebration.
Sponsor a Buttress
Goal: £50,000
Raised so far: £24,134
Last year we undertook some very essential repairs to the roof, gutters and parapets. If you look up on the north or south sides of the church, you’ll notice the beautiful new stonework. To fund the works, however, we had to borrow £200,000 from the Diocese of London and we are looking to raise £50,000 to pay this year’s commitment plus interest.
The ‘Sponsor a Buttress’ campaign is to raise funds to cover this year’s commitment. There are 40 buttresses consisting of three stones each. A stone costs £416, a buttress £1,250 (£333 and £1,000 respectively if Gift Aided). To sponsor a stone or buttress or for more information about Gift Aid, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
More Bru’s News
Not only does Brutus have a new baby, he has a new parish: St Margaret’s, Putney. He will be installed as priest-in-charge on Tuesday, 20th November, at 7.30pm by The Right Reverend Dr Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston. St Margaret’s is in Putney Park Lane, SW15 5HU.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Venture to Westminster Abbey: Friday 30th November
Our visit to the Galleries is at 1.30pm and we can stay on in the Abbey if we wish until closing time. Sung Evensong is at 5.00pm. Accessed via the staircase (108 steps) or lift, there are magnificent views down to the Abbey floor 16 metres below and out to Parliament Square and the Palace of Westminster. Over 300 objects from the Abbey’s collection are on display including the Litlyngton Missal, a magnificent Latin manuscript and one of the largest surviving English medieval manuscripts. Also an effigy of Henry VII’s head, modelled on his death mask, and the royal marriage licence for HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton.
Meet outside The Abbey Bookshop at the west end of the Abbey at 12 noon. We then walk round to the Abbey Restaurant, The Cellarium, for lunch (self funded). Admission to Abbey and Galleries £15, payable to Margaret in advance (cheques preferred) to secure your place.
Venture to the Panto!! A festive treat for all the family, Saturday 5th January 2pm.
‘Oh yes he did!’ ‘Oh no he didn’t!’ Save the date as the young and the young at heart are sure to enjoy Dick Whittington at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith www.lyric.co.uk (that’s the Lyric, main entrance on Lyric Square, not the Apollo by the big church) on Saturday January 5th at 2.00pm. Ticket details to follow. If family commitments allow, meet for a delicious lunch at 12.30pm at Byron’s, www.byronhamburgers.com, opposite the Lyric and to the right as you exit Hammersmith & City line tube station. Kid’s Menu £6.50, with both healthy and less healthy options, £6.50. Please speak to Margaret or Sam Tear to register your interest.
St John’s Big Gay Night Out
Friday 7th December - Mother Goose Cracks One Out!
This year’s pantomime follows years of sell out performances at Above the Stag theatre. You’ve not really been to a panto until you’ve been to Above the Stag. Tickets are £25. Meal before the show at Pico bar and grill (next door to the theatre) – pay as you go. For tickets, please contact Ian Smith (ipas@hotmail.co.uk) or leave your payment, together with your name, email address and phone number at the church office.
Mid-week Services
St John’s isn’t just a church for Sunday! There are services at 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. Monday’s service is a eucharist and there is a said evensong Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Services take place in the sanctuary and are open to all.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Happy Birthday, Victoria!
Saturday, 17th November
The grandest (after Betty), oldest dame in the parish has a milestone birthday - The Victoria is 180 this year and is having an appropriately grand party to mark the occasion. The evening kicks off at 4pm with Nick (yes, the Nick) Miller live in the piano bar. There will be some new ‘grown-up’ non-alcoholic drinks and at 6.30pm the launch of their one-off, pale ale created and brewed at Fuller’s pilot brewery. There is a ticketed event at 5pm in the Theatre Bar featuring Jane Peyton, award-winning drinks educator, writer, broadcaster and founder of the School of Booze who will regale on how the Victoria and what her clientele have been drinking have evolved over the years. Tickets are £10 and include beer samples and a half pint of their special pale ale. For £15, you also get a signed copy of Jane Peyton’s Drink: A Tippler’s Miscellany. Tickets are available from www.victoriapaddington.co.uk, What’s On or The Victoria. The evening concludes with a special performance by the Mighty Wubb, who will play a brilliant set full of David Bowie tracks to celebrate and honour his 1966 gig at The Victoria.
Children’s Community Choir
Thursdays, 4.10pm, St John’s Church
The Children’s Community Choir meets this Thursday afternoon. The choir is open for children 6 years old and above. Sessions are 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
School Gate Gossip
The first few weeks have been busy with the introduction of the new school approach to mindset. In looking at mindset, we investigated what makes certain people successful. Engagement trips have also been taking place this week for some of the classes with: Year 1 visiting the Natural History Museum to investigate the prehistoric world of dinosaurs and year 3 attending a musical performance at Wigmore Hall. On Friday our PFA hosted its first “Parents’ Afternoon Tea” at the Lancaster Hall Hotel (Huge “Thank you” for hosting and ongoing support), providing parents with an opportunity to meet other parents at St. James & St. John. The Royal Lancaster Christmas Card competition is once again open this year, and every child will be presented with a piece of A5 card and they can create a Christmas card using pencil, paint or collage materials.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from 10-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2.
