Spring Anthems
This week’s anthem is an enduringly popular spiritual which encourages both singer and listener to never give up and get tired, but rather to keep on walking, singing and shouting towards better days ahead; it looks resolutely forward to a Great Camp (church) Meeting in the Promised Land. This a cappella arrangement is another by the great Moses Hogan (1957-2003), a prolific and critically acclaimed composer and arranger.
7th July 2024
10am – Jazz Mass
This morning is our summer jazz mass and we are pleased that our mass setting this year is Nick Miller’s Jazz Mass No 1– a world premier! At the end of the service, please do stay for a glass of fizz while our master barbecuers finish preparing lunch for us.
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 £5/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.
Toilets will be available in the church. Please note that parents are responsible for children under the age of 18 at all times and, for safeguarding compliance, children must not be in the church unattended
Churchwardens for 2024/25
Congratulations to Gaynor Scruton and Bryan Stephens, our churchwardens for the coming year who were admitted to office this past Monday at St Mary-le-Strand by the Archdeacon of London. The churchwardens are, along with the vicar, responsible for the day-to-day management of the parish and we are grateful for the gifts our churchwardens will bring to their office. Please support them and remember them in your prayers.
Farewell, St John’s Choral Scholars
The last Sunday this year’s choir will sing will be 14th July. We will have opportunity to thank them 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 Sundays 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.
