Spring Anthems
Our final anthem of the choir year is a setting by American composer Elaine Hagenberg (b.1979) of a traditional Irish blessing. In her own words, “voices and piano hint at Celtic musical elements with a melody that ascends and descends over the Irish hillside, as flecks of Celtic rhythms delicately grace the scene. As the piece gradually builds, the voices swell together and offer comfort in a time of uncertainty.”
This gentle, ethereal piece brings to an end our anthem series on Walking with Jesus. With the closing lyric, “May you always remember when the shadows fall, you do not walk alone.”, we say thank you and farewell to this year’s wonderful choral scholars and wish them all the very best for the future.
Farewell, St John’s Choral Scholars
This morning is the final Sunday for this year’s choir and is the final Sunday for sopranos Sofia Kirwan-Baez and Olivia Singleton and tenor Jacob Cole. We will have opportunity to thank them over coffee for the wonderful gifts that they have brought to our worship through their singing this past year. Over the summer we will transition to our summer Sunday pattern where we use a congregational setting around folk tunes and welcome a guest musician to play alongside a cantor.
Refugee Drop-in Centre with West London Synagogue
St John’s is pleased to be entering into a new partnership project with the West London Synagogue by hosting a monthly Sunday drop-in centre for refugees. WLS originally set up the drop-in centre in 2011, which provides families with a hot meal, a shopping voucher and a contribution towards their transport, as well as signposting for other practical help. Initially for six months, the drop-in centre will run at St John’s on the third Sunday of the month – the next one will be on 21st July. If you would like to join the volunteer crew, please speak to the Vicar.
Celebrate!
Marking a special birthday? Celebrating an anniversary? Wanting to remember that special person? St John’s can help! To honour a loved one or to commemorate a special event, you can sponsor some music or flowers, have fizz & refreshments after the service - there are lots of possibilities. If you would like to observe a special occasion or honour someone special, speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
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
Book Club
Book Club met recently and discussed Trust No One by Paul Cleave. Their next book will be The Night Watch by Sarah Waters, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. They will meet to discuss this book on 5th August. For further information, 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.
