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.
Sunday evenings in Lent
If you have ever wondered why we do the things we do each Sunday, or what genuflecting means, or why we have candles and processions, sign the cross on chest – or any other gestures and symbols made during the Eucharistic prayers – then come and join us for a teaching Eucharist each Sunday evening throughout Lent. We will cover a different section of the service each week with plenty of opportunities to ask anything you’ve ever wanted to know, but been too afraid to ask! Last Sunday evening‘s service was very engaging with some rather interesting questions. If you didn’t make it, you can still come along this Sunday evening.
17th March
The Liturgy of the Word
24th March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 1)
31st March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 2)
7th April
The Sending Out
Lighting up St John’s
Many of you are aware that, as part of the Church Commissioners’ marking 150 years of the Hyde Park Estate, they wished to create an illuminated route from Paddington Station to the West End by lighting up several buildings in the area, one of the buildings being St John’s. The final adjustments and fine tunings were completed a earlier this month and there will be a ceremony to mark the official switching on of the lights tomorrow as part of our 5.30pm Communion service. Do come along to support this and to thank the Church Commissioners for their generosity.
Lent course
Sent in Lent: Exploring the Mission of God in our Lives
A joint Lent course between St John’s, St George’s and Grosvenor Chapel exploring the dynamics of God’s calling and sending in our lives. Join us at Grosvenor Chapel on Wednesdays at 7pm for a light supper, followed by a short talk and lively discussion amongst friends both old and new. Across four sessions we shall discuss the ways in which we are loved and received by God and how this gives us the freedom to deal with the pressures we face with an imaginative and compassionate response.
20th March – ‘Message failed to send’
John 6.66-69; 19.25,26
27th March – Sent in faith
Mark 6.32-44
3rd April – To whom are we sent?
Isaiah 58.6-7; Luke 4.16-19
Community Charity Concert
Tuesday, 26th March, 7.30pm
With the music of Disney and lots of other tunes from the music hall, light opera and popular shows, our choral scholars are joined by singers from The Duke of Kendal and the London Nordic Singers. Money raised on the night will go towards St John’s roof appeal. Tickets are £10 (£5 concession) from the office at St John’s or on the door. This is always an evening of very good music and great fun!
Congratulations, Sally Hitchiner!
We are pleased that Sally has been appointed Associate Vicar at St Matins-in-the-Fields! Sally has been associated with St John’s while she has been chaplain at Brunel University, taking part on the clergy rota on an occasional basis and we have been delighted that she has brought a bit of sparkle and razzamatazz to St John’s with her ministry here and on television. We are very pleased for her but will be sad to see her go. Her last Sunday here will be 31st March, Mothering Sunday - make sure you come along to wish Sally and Fiona well.
Easter Baptisms
Are you considering baptism? Easter is the perfect occasion and the dawn service at 5am on Easter Day is a great opportunity for it. This is a very special and unique service and there will be an opportunity for adults and children to be baptized as part of the Easter liturgy. If you are interested in being baptized at this service, please speak to one of the clergy as soon as possible.
Electoral Roll
The parish electoral roll is an indication of the life and vitality of St John’s. Inclusion on it is a part of your commitment to the church. Further, you must be on the electoral roll in order to participate in our annual meeting. Every six years we are required to dissolve the current roll and to compile a brand new one. As we last did this in 2013 we are compelled to compile a new roll this year and will be taking applications for entry onto the new roll until 20th March 2019. The roll will then be closed until after the annual meeting on 7th April. Application forms are available in the porch. Once completed, please return them to Bryan Sollenberger or send to the parish office.
Sponsor a Buttress
Goal: £50,000
Raised so far: £52,091.01
We did it!!! This morning we can put up our final buttress on our buttress-ometer! A big thank you to everyone who sponsored part or all of a stone or a buttress or bought a ticket to one of our fund raising events. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Lent Retreat: Mirfield 29th - 31st March 2019
The Benedictine Community of the Resurrection www.mirfield.org.uk regularly hold Retreats and Pilgrimage Weekends at their Monastery in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. These are guided by some of the brothers, who give three addresses, and there is plenty of time for quiet contemplation, walks in the beautiful grounds and the opportunity to attend the daily offices with the community and college in the lovely cathedral-like chapel.
The cost is £135, which includes all meals and accommodation in single rooms (£150 for an en suite) + travel. The Centre is only minutes away from Junction 25 of the M62 and there are direct trains from Kings Cross. Mirfield is also a Theological College and it is ordinand Benji Tyler, a member of our congregation, who knows just how learned, holy and friendly are the Mirfield community. The Guestmaster has made a provisional reservation for us. Please have a word with Margaret or Benji for more details, a copy of the timetable and to register your interest.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Culture Vultures Venture to Marlborough House, Monday 29th April
Irene, who guided us so well when we ventured last year to Lambeth Palace, will take us round The Fine Rooms on the Ground Floor of Marlborough House. Totally accessible, even though it was completed in 1711, it is now used by the Commonwealth Secretariat, so we are advised there may be a last minute date change should the rooms be required for Commonwealth business. Afterwards we are very fortunate to have a luncheon booking in the dining room at the Royal Air Force Club, 128 Piccadilly, W1J 7PY, www.rafclub.org.uk, but places for that are limited, so first come first served! Tour only £8, tour and lunch £34, 3 courses inc VAT and service, drinks extra. Meet under the St James’ Palace clock at the bottom of St James’ St. at 10.45am. Payment to Margaret please - as always cheques preferred.
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.
Save the Date!
Deacon Dan will be priested on Sunday, 30th June, at 4pm at St Mary’s, Stoke Newington. He will celebrate his first Communion the following Sunday, 7th July, at the 10am service after which we will have our annual barbecue!
Giving Maria a Helping Hand
Maria moved into her new places at Edna House this past week. She is thrilled to be settling in and wishes to thank all who contributed in some way. If you have some goods you weren’t able to drop off or wish to contribute towards the costs, you can still do so – speak to the Vicar, Dan or Bryan after the service.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
School Gate Gossip
We celebrated a wonderful World Book Day again this year with every class participating in a variety of activities connected to our school. A monster rave and some descriptive writing about very angry vegetables was the focus of Year 2 as the students in Year 3 acted out and presented freeze frames of how they might be able to make sure everyone is welcome, no matter how different they are. Year 6 participated in a Citizenship workshop delivered by Westminster Council at the London Transport Museum this week. Learning about responsible public transport travel, internet safety, dog safety, fire safety and public safety when confronted with acts of theft and assault, the students continued their preparations for their transition to secondary school next year. Children in Year 5 spoke about the signs of respect when attending a mosque or temple, whilst highlighting the differences and similarities between different faiths and beliefs during different religious periods. Last week saw the annual PFA Mother’s Day Tea Party. Despite the weather, we saw many people take the chance to come and celebrate mums and those parents and carers who play a huge role in the lives of all of the children at St. James & St. John. It was a lovely way to start the weekend.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from10-11.30am. 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.
Congratulations Crown Prince Naruhito
St John’s extends goods wishes for a long and prosperous reign to the new Japanese emperor, who takes the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1st May. There is a concert in church this afternoon to mark this auspicious occasion featuring the UK-Japan choir and organist Tom Etheridge. The programme features music by Fauré, handle & Takechi.
