Farewell, St John’s Choral Scholars
This is the last Sunday for this year’s choir. Do take this 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.
Volunteer Opportunities
Intercessors Wanted
Ever thought of leading the prayers on a Sunday morning? New recruits are invited to join the rota of Intercessors. Having a diverse range of voices leading the prayers adds much to our worship and it’s not half as hard as you think. If you think you would like to read the prayers once a quarter and are interested to find out more then please have a word with Michael or Kate or email them on kateandmikey1@gmail.com.
A full template with a framework of prayers and lots of ideas is provided plus training and support. Do consider joining the intercessors’ rota.
You Know You Want to…
Do you get goosebumps/pimples listening to the opening hymn performed by our wonderful musicians while watching the Servers dutifully process up the centre aisle? Have you ever wondered what you would look like donning a hooded white alb? Are you interested in washing the Vicar’s hands with holy water before communion? If the answer is yes to any of these questions (or, even if you’re not sure), it’s time for you to become an Acolyte! No experience is required and we will be holding a training/refresher session in the coming months following the 10:00 am service. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our newly appointed Head Server, Bryan Stephens at bryan.m.stephens@gmail.com.
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
After School Group
These Thursday groups have now finished for the summer but will resume again in September.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club meets regularly to discuss books chosen by its members. It next meets on Monday, 11th September, when they will be discussing The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka. New members would be very welcome to join the group. For further information, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
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.
Mars: War and Peace
St John the Baptist, Holland Park
22nd - 30th July
Following on from Luke Jerram's other celestial artworks, the Museum of the Moon and Gaia, St John the Baptist, Holland Park are delighted to showcase his latest exhibition of Mars. All events are free and they will be hosting a concert every evening. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At around one million times smaller than the actual planet, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars. The artwork transports us to this desert wasteland, to imagine what it’s like to step foot on this incredible planet. For more information:
visit https://hollandparkbenefice.org/calendar/2023/6/21/mars-war-and-peace .
