Gluten-free Communion Wafers
Gluten free wafers are available for those who suffer from a gluten allergy. Please speak to a priest before the service if you would like to receive one at communion.
Spring Anthems
Our communion anthems over the next few weeks follow a theme of Walking with Jesus and span a range of composers and styles. This week we hear the great Irish composer Charles Villiers Stanford's setting of three verses from the Scottish Psalter of 1635. Stanford weaves a hymn-fantasia based on the tune Caithness, each verse becoming more expressive and intricate than the last. 2024 is the centenary of Stanford’s death, which we will mark with performances of some of his greatest choral works.
The Reverend Owen Dobson
Team St John’s is delighted to be joined by the Reverend Owen Dobson, who will come as a temporary house-for-duty priest. Many of you will know Owen as he was previously the assistant curate at St James’s, Sussex Gardens. While at St John’s he will be helping out with education courses, some Culture Vulture Ventures and other bits and pieces as well as becoming part of the Sunday clergy team.
7th July 2024
Jazz mass, 10am
Summer is here, Wimbledon is in full swing – what could be better than a festive jazz mass on a July Sunday morning? The choir, accompanied by double bass, will sing Nick Miller’s Jazz Mass No 1, written especially for St John’s! This is a world premier – you won’t want to be late on THIS Sunday!
St John’s Summer Barbecue
The 10am service on 7th July is followed by our summer barbecue in the gardens behind the church. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children. St John’s provides the meat and dessert; you are asked to bring a salad. Sign up on the sheet in the porch or by e-mailing Bryan at parishadmin@stjohns-hydepark.com, making sure you let us know how many will be in your party and what salad you will be bringing.
Ben Collyer in Concert
Ben Collyer’s final college recital is on 14th June at the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall at the Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS. It takes place at 6.15pm and features music by Bach, Watkins, Duruflé, Karg-Elert & a world premiere by Francis Pott. Admission is free.
Ben is also appearing in this year’s proms on 25th August 7.30pm at the Royal Albert Hall when he will play the organ as part of a group of students from London and Helsinki performing Holst’s The Planets. Tickets are available via the BBC Proms website.
Calling all chocolate lovers!
London Chocolate Company Visit
19th June, 6.30pm
On Wednesday 19th June at 6.30pm we have the opportunity to visit the London Chocolate Company on Connaught Street who have agreed to open up especially for us that evening. During the visit we will be shown around the factory, given the opportunity to make our own bars of chocolate, then have a chocolate tasting along with a glass of champagne.
Spaces are strictly limited to 17 people and the ticket price is £27.00 per head. Please contact Alex for more information.
Sofia Sings
Sofia Kirwan-Baez, one of our superb soprano scholars, will be singing on several occasions throughout June:
Tuesday 11th June, 7.30pm
Cadogan Hall
Final Showcase National Opera Studio scenes with ENO Orchestra
Wednesday 12th June, 7.30pm
OSO Arts Centre, Barnes
Piano Lounge Evening - a request-based night ranging from jazz to cabaret
to re-imagined pop ...to opera
Sunday 16th June, 6.30pm
St George’s Church, Notting Hill Gate
Soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria in a programme including other wonderful works! with the Aubrey Singers
Friday 22nd June, 7.30pm
St John’s, Hyde Park
‘When I go to sleep’ - an immersive art song recital with Darius Latham-Koenig, featuring Strauss, Debussy, Menotti and Barber
To purchase tickets to any of these events, go to https://linktr.ee/sofiakirwanbaez. For further information, contact Sofia on swkirwanbaez@gmail.com.
Save the Date!
The Dog Collar Dinner returns this year and takes place on 27th September. Note this date in your diaries now!
The Car Park
Following the death of a small child on a church carpark in Scotland, Team St John’s has produced a risk assessment relating to St John’s car park. The Vicar is hesitant for the return of ‘Clipboard Bill’ but feels that we should be aware of the dangers relating to the forecourt. We kindly ask that you use the footpaths when accessing the church and avoid cutting through the car park or walking in front of or behind vehicles. Also, children should not play in the car park at any time but only on the footpaths provided parents are keeping a watchful eye on them.
Safeguarding at St John’s
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is a priority at St John’s. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) carries out an annual review of the parish’s Safeguarding Policy and the current policy is available in the porch and on the parish website. Safeguarding concerns can be raised in the first instance with the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Mary Langford.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Pamela Binns
We are thrilled that Pamela Binns has been awarded the second prize in the Disabled Rider’s Association Creative Poetry competition. As you know, Pamela is an avid poet and has written a number of poetry books. We are delighted that she is still very much in the game at 92!
Book Club
St John’s Book Club met recently to discuss Scarborough by Canadian author Catherine Hernandez, which was a popular choice. They have chosen their next book – the thriller Trust No One by New Zealand author Paul Cleave – and will meet to discuss it on 17th June. For further information about the book club, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
Giggles and Gossip
Thursdays, 9.30-11am
Giggles & Gossip, a playgroup for parents with babies and toddlers, meets on Thursday mornings. There is soft play available and the club will also consist of crafts and a story time in which parents and children can take part.
