Welcome to St John’s Hyde Park
We are delighted that you have chosen to join our community today, especially if you are joining us for the first time. A special welcome to the family and friends of The Reverend Alex Norris, who is being licensed to St John’s this morning, and to The Venerable Adam Atkinson, our guest preacher, who is licencing Alex on behalf of The Bishop of London. For those who have come as a family with young children, Kids’ Club meets during the service in the Parish Hall. Further information about St John’s can be found on our web site: www.stjohns-hydepark.com.
St John’s, like the Hyde Park Estate, wants to be part of a dog-friendly community. We welcome people to bring their dogs with them to church but we ask that they are mindful of the need for dogs not to disturb others at worship. If your furry friend begins to bark or to feel uncomfortable, please do feel free to take him or her for a walk outside.
Children and Young Families
We are pleased to have families with children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club meets this morning in the hall with Red Balloon – the children go out after the Collect and re-join their families in time for communion. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
Sunday, 2nd July
10am – Jazz Mass
This morning we are pleased to welcome Alex Norris and his wife Keri (Kes) into our community here at St John’s. The Archdeacon of Charing Cross, The Venerable Adam Atkinson, will be our guest preacher and will licence Alex to us on behalf of the Bishop of London. Our mass setting is Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis – a fittingly celebratory setting as we welcome Alex and anticipate our annual barbecue after the service.
At the end of the service, please do stay for a glass of fizz and canapés and take the opportunity to introduce yourself to Alex and Keri.
Barbecue
Following the after-service hospitality, our summer barbecue will begin at 12.15pm which, by kind invitation of the residents, takes place in the gardens behind the church. As is our custom, St John’s is providing the meat and dessert in return for a donation towards costs. Drinks are available from the cash bar. Please enjoy the reception in order to give our chefs opportunity to get the barbecue set up. Do not proceed to the gardens until the announcement that all is ready. To get to the gardens, turn right as you leave the church and walk along Hyde Park Crescent and turn right again, passing in front of Castleacre, and you should find the walkway into the gardens. To cover the costs, please make a donation of £10/adult and £2.50/child. There will also be a raffle with a prize of a bottle of champagne and some smoked salmon.
If you have brought a salad with you, please place it on the tables in the porch. These will then be taken over to the gardens by one of the barbecue team in time for the barbecue. If you have not indicated your intention to come to the barbecue, we have catered for a few extra so please do stay.
Our Lady of the Windrush
It is our privilege to host a modern icon that has been created to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush generation. Commissioned by the Parish of St John the Evangelist, Kensal Green, it has been created by the artist Amanda De Pulford. She both celebrates and commemorates the arrival of ST Augustine, who brought Christianity back to the islands of the United Kingdom and the later arrival of the ship MV Empire Windrush. Empire Windrush brought some of the first men and women from the Caribbean to help rebuild the country after the devastation of the Second World War. On Monday it will accompany the Two Cities’ clergy on their time away together in Lancaster.
The icon consists of three panels. In the centre is the Virgin Mary, seated and cradling her son. On either side of the figures are two ships. The first is that which carried St Augustine and his monks to England in the 6th century, bringing with them the Christian faith; the second is the Windrush, which brought many who renewed the faith in the areas in which they settled. This is especially true of the parish of Kensal Green and the ministry of St John’s. Kensal Green. The side panels depict St Michael the Archangel, St George the Martyr, St John the Evangelist, St Martin de Porres, who is the patron saint of racial justice, and St Josephine Bakhita, who is the patron saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Please do feel free to enter the sanctuary after the service to take a closer look.
Farewell, St John’s Choral Scholars
The last Sunday this year’s choir will sing will be 16th July. We will have opportunity to thank them for the wonderful gifts that they have brought to our worship through singing this past year. Over the summer we will transition to our summer Sundays pattern where we use a congregational setting around folk tunes and welcome a guest musician to play alongside a cantor.
Georgina Elsey
Georgina is going into the army! and her farewell service will take place on Sunday, 3rd September. This will be our opportunity to say good-bye to Georgina and to wish her well. Please make a special effort to be here as we celebrate and give thanks for her three years of ministry among us. Georgina will be entering the Army as a chaplain later that week.
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11am
Giggles & Gossip, a playgroup for parents with babies and toddlers, meets on Thursday mornings. There will be soft play available and the club will also consist of crafts and a story time for the parents and children to take part in.
After School Group
Thursdays, 3.30-5pm
This group is for school children between reception and year six. Children will play drama, lead games, and explore biblical stories. This is being organised through our local CofE Primary School, St James & St John. Please contact the school for further information or to register your child.
Safeguarding at St John’s
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a priority at St John’s. On 21st June the Parochial Church Council (PCC) carried out their annual reviewed of the parish’s Safeguarding Policy. A copy is available in the porch and on the parish website. Safeguarding concerns can be raised in the first instance with the church’s Safeguarding Officer, Mary Langford.
