Morning Anthem
This week’s anthem is a setting of a poem by Federico Garcia Lorca, depicting a Holy Week procession. The music is by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968), one of the foremost guitar composers of the 20th century. After fleeing Italian fascism in 1939, he moved to the US and became a film composer for Metro Goldwyn-Mayer, writing music for 200 Hollywood movies as well as concertos for prominent musicians including Jascha Heifetz. He was also an influential teacher of film composition: significant pupils included Andre Previn, Henry Mancini and John Williams.
Lunchtime Proms, Autumn 2024
Sunday 27th October, 11.30am
Dorian Demeny, guitarist
Today is the next prom concert in our autumn series features prize-winning classical guitarist Dorian Demeny. He made his debut concert performance at age six and since then has performed widely across Europe, collaborating with soloists, choirs and other ensembles. He is a graduate of both Stuttgart’s State University of Music and Performing Arts and London’s Royal College of Music. He will perform works by H. Villa-Lobos, F. Sor, A. B. Mangoré and J.S. Bach.
All Souls
4th November 2024, 6pm
We mark this special festival with a service at which we remember those who are part of the church community but who have died. This year the choir are singing the Requiem by J A Trotta and during the service we remember those dear to us. If you will be at the service and wish to have loved ones remembered, please add them on the sign up sheet in the porch. As part of the liturgy, there will be opportunity for you to light a candle and place it on the altar in remembrance of your loved ones.
Irene Griffiths Memorial Service
Tuesday 5th November, 1pm
A memorial service for Irene Griffiths has been arranged for Tuesday 5th November at 1pm. Irene Griffiths, having been born on St Michael’s street, was the last member of our congregation to have moved to St John’s from St Michael’s and All Angels after it was bombed during the war. She also began her school days at St John’s Parish school, which in those days was in Titchbourne Row. She, along with her husband Eddie worshipped at St John’s for over 70 years.
Sunday, 10th November 2024
Remembrance Sunday
We will observe Remembrance Sunday on 10th November at the 10am service. We shorten the service in order to be outside at the War Memorial at 11am. For the end of the service the choir will lead us to the War Memorial in the north garden for a short Act of Remembrance, the laying of wreaths and a two minutes’ silence.
Jenny Clark Concert
This year’s Jenny Clark Concert also takes place on Sunday, 10th November, immediately following the 10am service. This year the concert marks 20 years since the purchase of our Yamaha C7 concert grand piano and features it, our choral scholars and Hannah our cellist. We are very much looking forward to their programme. The concert will last 35-40 minutes and is open to all.
St John’s Late
Returning in November, St John’s Late services offer a friendly but contemplative space for those who’ve missed the morning, want to try something different or need space for reflection.
Compline
10th November 6.00pm
This ancient monastic service, in a candlelit church, is stunning in its simplicity. The service is sung and the anthem is Evening Prayers (Three Prayers of Dietrich Bonhoeffer) by Philip Moore. Sign up if you wish to join us for supper beforehand in the hall at 5pm.
Choral Evensong
17th November, 6.00pm
This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book. Our choral scholars together with the Chamber Choir of Queen’s College London will be singing. The setting for the responses is by Bernard Rose with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by C.V Stanford in A. The anthem will be John Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing
Jazz Mass
24th November, 6.00pm
The atmosphere of a jazz club, great music and the beauty of the eucharist meet in this fantastic service with wine and nibbles available throughout. The setting is Chilcott’s A Little Jazz Mass and the anthem is Acclamation (Gospel Mass) by R.Ray
Autumn Education Courses
Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity
5th November 6.30pm - 9pm, St Paul's Cathedral
Few matters produce more public interest or division than sex and religion. Revolutions in attitudes in the last generations have brought liberation to some, fear and fury to others. Diarmaid MacCulloch, Emeritus Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, will seek to calm fears and encourage understanding by telling a 3,000-year-long tale of Christians encountering sex, gender and family, from the Bible to the present day. Entry is free. We will be meeting outside the cathedral at 6.15pm so we can enter and sit together.
Bible Book Club
Bible Book Club returned this September and is held on the first Wednesday of the month. Future meetings will be on 6th Nov and 4th Dec at 7.30pm. The November meeting will be at Alex’s house, 23 Archery Close.
Advent Course
Heaven and Earth Collide
The Advent Course will take place on Wednesdays, 11th and 18th December, at 7.30pm. In these two sessions we will be expanding on the theme of our Advent Carol Service, ‘Heaven and Earth Collide: An Advent Odyssey’. For further information and to book please contact: parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com. All events are free to attend.
Purcell Club Tour - Westminster Abbey
6.45pm - 9.15pm on Saturday 16th November
The Purcell Club is named after Henry Purcell, the famous composer, who was organist of Westminster Abbey from 1679-1695. It is a male voice choir formed predominantly from members of the Westminster Abbey Old Choristers’ Association, though guest singers join us from time to time. The singers give their services in order to put on these tours and all the profits from ticket sales go to support the Abbey and a range of small charities.
Visitors assemble at 6.45pm in the Cloisters for a welcome by a member of the Purcell Club or Abbey clergy. They then move into the Abbey and take seats in the Nave for the commencement of the tour at 7.00pm, when the first piece of sacred music is sung. Our guide describes the history and architecture of the Abbey in some detail, moving from one location of interest to the next, including the Quire, Sacrarium, High Altar, the Cosmati Pavement (unique in this country), St Edward the Confessor’s Shrine, Henry VII Chapel and Poets’ Corner. At various points there is a pause for members of the Purcell Club to sing suitable musical items ranging from the 16th to 21st centuries. On returning to the Nave for the final part of the tour, a short piece is played by one of the Abbey organists to demonstrate the Abbey’s magnificent organ. The tour ends with the choir singing a piece of suitable solemnity, such as ‘The Kontakion for the Departed’, around the Unknown Warrior’s Grave as the lights dim. The evening concludes at approximately 9.15pm.
Tickets are £50 each and we are strictly limited to 25 places. We will look to have a meal beforehand (payable separately) ensuring we are in the Cathedral for 6.45pm. Please email the office for further info and to book either of these two events.
