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.
24th March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 1)
31st March
The Liturgy of the Sacrament (Part 2)
7th April
The Sending Out
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.
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 Martins-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.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
Our APCM this year is on Sunday, 7th April, immediately following the 10am service. This is the meeting where we receive the annual report and accounts and elect our churchwardens and members to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). This year we will be electing churchwardens and two members to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Nomination forms are available at the back of church. Completed forms can be given to Bryan Sollenberger.
Our thanks to Dmitrii Babak, Robyn Broaders and Jazz MackSmith, whose terms on PCC come to an end. Dmitrii has also served as Deputy Churchwardens for the past two years and we are very grateful for his contributions to the parish over that time The vitality of a parish like St John’s is dependent on people being willing to give of their time and skills in leadership of the parish. We are as a community grateful for all that they have brought and shared. Please think carefully about whether you might have skills you can share by standing for PCC.
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.
Good Friday Children’s Workshop
A children’s activity morning is planned for Good Friday, 19th April, between 10am and 12 noon for children from 0-11. Coffee, biscuits and hot cross buns will be available and we will build the Easter Garden. Volunteers are needed to help with the activities. A donation of £5 per child is requested (babies go free). If you can help, speak to Dan or Becky Stringer.
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 is now waiting list). 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. Please note that due to other activities in the church this week there is no service on Tuesday or Thursday.
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!
Maria Problem Solved!
Maria has now moved into her new place at Edna House. 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
Year 5 attended a work shop at The Lookout, Hyde Park, as part of this term’s learning, Beast Creator. Looking at the role of invertebrates in our world, the students investigated the different habitats and environments of invertebrates in preparation for their follow-up visit to look at the pollination process in the summer term. Well done to our school ‘3 on 3’ basketball team, which represented us superbly at this past week’s borough competition. Year 2 got a jump start on our International Week celebrations with a visit to the V&A Museum this week when they went to look at some examples of Indian art. This week was one of the absolute highlights of the St James & St John school year. INTERNATIONAL WEEK! This year’s focus continent was on Asia and each class had been assigned a different Asian country to study. Students were encouraged to wear clothing in the form of national dress or an outfit representative of a country of importance to them. The PFA was also holding, once again, their epically successful food stall.
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.
