Coronavirus (Covid-19)
We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with our community this morning. A special welcome to any who are joining us this morning for the first time.
We are pleased that many of the Covid restrictions have now been lifted. We know many are excited at this, but that others feel less so. While we hope there is a more relaxed feeling here at St John’s this morning, we hope that you will understand that we have chosen a gradual process of returning to normality in order that as many people feel comfortable.
You can download an order of service on the Welcome page of the website if you prefer not to use a preprinted copy : https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/ordersofservice .
We still need to take steps to minimise the risks due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, so we are still worshiping with some degree of caution and have drafted a new risk assessment and guidelines for worship. These have been revised to reflect the latest guidance from the Church of England and are on display in the porch and on our website at https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/covid19guidance.
If you are displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms – high temperature, continuous cough or a change in your normal sense of taste & smell – please do not come into church but self-isolate and arrange for a test.
Sanitiser is available for those wishing to sanitise their hands on entering the building and will be available before taking communion. We are still keeping an attendance register for a few Sundays more if you would like to sign in for track and trace purposes and the NHS QR code is available for those who wish to scan it with the app.
Orders of service have been printed in advance and placed on the chairs on Sunday morning by a member of staff.
At the collection, members of staff wearing face masks will circulate with collection plates. Place your cash or Gift Aid envelope in the plate but do not touch it.
When exchanging the peace, please do so only with others in your immediate vicinity but be respectful of those who may not wish to make physical contact.
For communion, please approach the step to the sanctuary via the central aisle. Sanitiser is available should you wish to sanitise your hands before receiving. Please keep a safe distance from those on either side. The clergy will bring the bread to you and place a wafer in your hand. If you prefer to receive a blessing instead, cross your hands over your chest. After receiving, please return to your seat via one of the side aisles.
At the end of the service, you are free to leave at your leisure. If you feel comfortable please joins us for a glass of fizz or apple juice outside on the forecourt.
Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have so many families with young children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club takes place in the hall and children leave the service after the Collect, rejoining the service just prior to communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
Each week there is a children’s story and activity on the children’s page on our website: https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/children. Big children as well as smaller ones will find it interesting.
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.
Living in Love and Faith: The Course
Wednesdays from 22nd September until 20th October, 7.30pm
Starting this week! Living in Love and Faith is the Church of England’s project calling on us to discuss different perspectives about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. In five sessions led by Reverend Georgina, we will reflect on Christian thought about these topics and collectively feedback into the national conversation. Absolutely everyone is welcome, no need to come to all sessions. Email revgeorginaelsey@gmail.com or use the sheet in the porch to sign up. You can find out more about the LLF project on our blog: bit.ly/3jNwlc7.
Music on Living in Love and Faith
To compliment the course Living in Love and Faith which starts this Wednesday at 7.30pm, the choir will be singing an anthem each week on the theme for that session.
This Week: Learning Together. The choir will be singing God Is Our Hope and Strength by J S Bach from the last movement of Cantata 24, which talks about listening to God with a clear conscious and an unsullied soul.
Harvest Sunday Family Eucharist
3rd October 2021, 10am
Our annual giving of thanks for the fruit of the earth takes place this year on 3rd October. Our theme this year will be Homelessness. The older children will read the lessons and lead the intercessions and the younger children will be in church for longer than normal. This year we will be taking a cash collection for the North Paddington Food Bank as well as collecting dried foodstuffs for the West London Day Centre.
Keep Calm! Keep Alert! Keep Giving!
Who would have thought, back in the spring of last year when we began to ponder the financial hit to St John’s of the first lockdown, that we would only be easing back into normality now. This obviously brings a renewed uncertainty for life at St John’s for a second year running and, while we make every effort to watch costs and look out for help where it might be available, we ask you to remember that again this year the carpark is not always full and we have been unable to raise money through letting the church and hall. Please continue to help us if you can by contributions either on Sunday mornings in the collection plate or, alternatively, directly to our bank account. Our details are:
Name: St John the Evangelist
Bank: HSBC
Sort Code: 40-11-58
Account #: 80108251
Donations given electronically still qualify for Gift Aid as your name will appear alongside your donation. If you have any questions about giving, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
Afghanistan - A Church Toolkit
The Church of England has launched a toolkit in response to the recent events in Afghanistan, including practical advice on helping refugees, along with prayer and theological resources. Go to: churchofengland.org/resources/community-action/toolkit-supporting-afghan-refugees.
