St John’s Late
St John’s Late winter series runs until 16th February. These services offer a friendly but contemplative space for those who’ve missed the morning, want to try something different or need space for reflection.
9th February, 6.00pm
Book of Common Prayer Communion
For all who admire the beauty of Book of Common Prayer language! You don’t have to be a traditionalist to enjoy it. The setting is Thomas Tallis’s Mass for Four Voices and the anthem his Hear the Voice and Prayer.
16th February, 6pm
Choral Evensong
This service is the foundation of English tradition, a gem in the crown of the prayer book. The setting for the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis is by Dyson (arr Miller). The anthem will be Bairstow’s Save Us, O Lord (arr Miller).
Betty’s Big Birthday
This year marks the 160th birthday of our marvellous Hill & Sons organ, “Betty”, and ten years since her trip to rehab for full restoration. We will be marking this milestone with a series of concerts and events through the course of 2025, including a series of free Prom Concerts entitled Betty&Friends, featuring various soloists and ensembles who will collaborate with Betty. The year will culminate in a party/celebrity organ recital (Betty’s Birthday Bash!) on Saturday 22nd November, given by Professor Dr Ian Tracey, one of the world’s finest recitalists and Titular Organist of Liverpool Cathedral. 2025 also happens to be Play the Organ Year, an outreach initiative led by the Royal College of Organists to raise the profile of the King of Instruments and encourage people to engage and have a go, so each recital will be followed by an opportunity for anyone interested to come to the organ, ask questions and try playing Betty, supported by our music team.
The first Betty&Friends recitals is next week on 9th February at 11.30am following our morning service and will feature violinist Jonathan Hill alongside Nick & Betty. There will be works by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Morten Lauridsen and others.
Concerts and Events in 2025 so far (more to follow!):
Betty&Friends 1: Sunday 9th February, 11.30am -12.10pm
Jonathan Hill, violinist& Nick Miller, organist/pianist
Free Entry
Betty&Friends 2: Sunday 9th March, 11.30am- 12.10pm
Ted Day, baritone & Jorn Quirijnen, pianist
Free Entry
Betty’s Birthday Bash! Saturday 22nd November, 5pm
Celebrity Recital: Professor Dr Ian Tracey, organist
Ticketed Entry: details to follow
St John’s Lunch Club - Sunday, 23rd February, Midday
Gary at The Monkey Puzzle has offered us a roast lunch, vegetarian option, with dessert and soft drink at the Monkey Puzzle for £25 a head including service, which will be payable in advance as usual. If you would like to attend please contact Alex (alex@stjohns-hydepark.com) and he can provide further information. To help with planning please let Alex know if you wish to attend asap.
Luminous: A Night of Light and Wonder at St Paul’s Cathedral
Wednesday, 26th February, 6.30 – 10pm
Experience St Paul’s in a whole new light! Prepare to be amazed as the Cathedral unveils ‘Luminous’, an extraordinary new sound and light show by the award-winning artistic duo, Luxmularis. Step inside an iconic London landmark and witness a breathtaking fusion of art, sound, and architecture that draws inspiration from St Paul’s rich history and heritage. This immersive show will captivate audiences of all ages, offering a truly unforgettable evening!
Alex is taking a group to see this spectacular show on Wednesday, 26th February. Tickets are £17.50 and are selling out fast! Please contact Alex for further information on how to purchase a ticket. All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to supporting the preservation of the Cathedral’s history and heritage.
Upcoming Carol Services
Carol service for Lent
Sunday 16th March, 6pm
This seasonal service of music and readings explores the themes of Lent. Final details are being confirmed so watch this space in the coming weeks! The service will be followed by a reception with hot cross buns.
Passion Carols
Sunday 13th April, 6pm
Something new this year is a carol service for Holy Week! A special service on Palm Sunday evening where we recall the events leading up to Easter: the Last Supper, the betrayal of Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. This will replace our Stations of the Cross service.
Electoral Roll
The parish electoral roll is an indication of the life and vitality of St John’s. Inclusion on it is a part of your commitment to the church, entitles you to attend our annual meetings, to be married here and assists in enrolling your children into a Church of England school. Every six years we are required to dissolve the current roll and to compile a brand new one. As we last did this in 2019 we are required to compile a new roll this year and will be taking applications for entry onto the new roll until 18th March. The roll will then be closed until after the annual meeting on 6th April. Application forms are available in the porch. Once completed, please return them to Bryan Sollenberger or send to the parish office.
Bible Book Club
Bible Book Club is held at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month. As the first Wednesday of March is Ash Wednesday, Bible Book Club will not meet in March.
Palm Crosses for Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday falls this year on 5th March. As usual there will be a said lunchtime service at 12.00 noon and a sung Eucharist at 6.00pm. If you still have your palm crosses from last year, bring them in and we will burn them to make this year’s ash.
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Orion Symphony Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, 19th February, 7.30pm
Sinfonia Smith Square, SW1P 1HA
The Orion Symphony Orchestra, one of Britain’s finest orchestra, are giving a concert on 19th February. Nicholas Daniel OBE will be leading the Orchestra in a magical evening of entertainment in the beautiful surroundings of Sinfonia Smith Square. The programme features Symphony No 2 in D Major by Joseph Bologne, Mozart’s Srerenade for Winds in C Minor, I May Turn to Salt, the British premier of Hannah Kendall’s composition, and Haffner Symphony by Mozart.
Tickets are usually £20, £30 & £45 + a service charge of £2.40 but thanks to Ian Adams and Chris Colosimo, who are trustees of the Orchestra, St John’s parishioners can purchase £30 tickets for £5 from the website: www.orionorchestra.org.uk by using the code ORION. There is no limit on the number of tickets you can purchase.
If you have further questions about the event, please speak with Chris Colosimo by contacting him at christopher.colosimo@icloud.com.
Refugee Drop-in Volunteers
Since May St John’s has been hosting a monthly Sunday drop-in centre for refugees run by the West London Synagogue. This provides families with a hot meal, a shopping voucher and a contribution towards their transport, as well as signposting for other practical help. The drop-in centre takes place on the third Sunday of the month and they are always open to volunteers to assist them. If you would like to join the volunteer crew, please speak to the Vicar. The next drop-in centre is 16th February at 12.30pm.
Book Club
Book Club met recently and selected their next book: The Road Home, a 2007 wise and witty look at the migrant experience. They will meet to discuss this book on 10th March 2025. For more information, please speak to Irwin Nazareth.
