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.
Sung Eucharist for Ascension, 30th May, 8pm
The Ascension, coming 40 days after Christ’s resurrection, is the culmination of Easter, the season in which we celebrate the stories of the risen Christ. This year Ascension falls on the 30th May and we will celebrate it with a choral eucharist at 8pm. The choir will sing Carter’s Missa Sancti Pauli and the anthem will be Ascending into Heaven by J Weir.
Bible Book Club
Bible book club meets once a month to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the coming Sunday and concludes with Compline. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month – the next meeting is on 5th June. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
Whitsun Carols, 9th June 2019
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. A seasonal reception of Pimms and cucumber sandwiches will follow.
Priesting of Dan Warnke
Sunday, 30th June, 4pm
This will be a very special day for Dan as he is priested at St Mary’s, Stoke Newington, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 9ES. Do come along and support him. He will celebrate Holy Communion for the first time the following Sunday, 7th July, at the 10am service and we will have our summer barbecue after the service in the Raynham Gardens by kind permission of the residents.
Diocese of London Appeal
Modern Day Slavery
In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, in a capital city heralded for its history and culture, modern slavery is thriving. Hundreds of people are trapped by domestic servitude, forced labour or sexual exploitation, all in plain sight of Londoners. Many more are at risk of falling through the cracks, hidden from the view of the authorities, charities and the church. Behind those statistics there are real people. This year’s Appeal will build on the work of the Clewer Initiative, part of the national church’s approach to eradicating modern day slavery, which was launched by the Archbishop Justin in October 2017.
The Vicar and Churchwardens felt it appropriate to support this appeal. For the next 4 Sundays there will be opportunity to contribute via a bucket collection after the service. Please give as generously as you can.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club met recently and selected its next two books: The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes and Rabbit Run by John Updike. They will meet on 1 July to discuss The Noise of Time. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
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.
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.
Culture Vultures
CHANGE OF DATE
Tuesday 17th September 7.00pm at the Vicarage.
Meet the Author Evening in aid of St John ‘s high roof works appeal: St John's is very fortunate that parishioner William Shawcross, recently retired chair of the Charities Commission, broadcaster (for BBC television he wrote and presented in 1995 the series Monarchy and in 2002, to tie-in with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the series Queen and Country), author and historian has agreed to be the guest of honour at a Meet the Author Evening. All profits from this occasion will go towards the St John’s High Roof Works Appeal. The evening begins with a fizz and canapés reception from 7pm, followed at 7.30pm by the author’s talk on his 2009 book ‘The Queen Mother: The Official Biography’ and a question and answer session. Bring your copy if you would like the author to sign it! A two course buffet supper with wine will then be served, with an opportunity to speak to William (and ask all those questions which you were too shy to ask earlier!). All this for £48, numbers are limited, with payment to Margaret please, cheques preferred.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
School Gate Gossip
Huge congratulations to our children at St. James and St. John’s that had already their SATs this past week and all the very best to those that have their SATs this coming week! This Thursday has also seen the PFA Pub Quiz being held at the Lancaster Hall hotel (thank you again for your support!) to raise import funds for a very wide and ever increasing range of activities and projects. Thank you to all who joined and the PFA for organising. Our school May Day Dance will take place on the last afternoon of the last day of this half term – May 24th. Each of the classes will be learning a May Dance and will take turns in performing it. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible attend and join in with one of the most joyous events in our school calendar! Right after the holidays our school will have our first Science Week. During this, the children will be engaged in a range of practical learning outcomes and activities that will help broaden their understanding of science across the curriculum.
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.
Church Camping
Epping Forest, 14-16 June
There are plans afoot for a camping trip to descend upon Debden House, Epping Forest in June (a number of plots have already been booked). If you're a happy camper and want to join in then you would be most welcome. Even if you don’t have a tent, but would like to go, please let either Samantha or Becky know and we’ll see what we can do – equally, if you do have a tent to lend then please do the same. Everyone is welcome, as would be some sunny weather! It’s easy to get there on the Central Line and we can arrange lifts to help get you to the site (about two miles from the station).
