Hearing the Service
St John’s has an Induction Loop System so if you have a hearing aid, please switch it to the ’T’ setting.
Spring Term 2018 Anthems
This term’s offering of anthems during the Sunday morning service has two main themes running through it: on one hand we take a look at ‘God on Stage’, uncovering some of the ways religious themes and ideas have appeared in musical theatre shows over the years, either more or less overtly, and we also celebrate a range of major composers who celebrate important anniversaries in 2018.
This week's anthem celebrates the centenary of Claude Debussy (1862-1918), who was born near Paris and raised by his aunt, Clémentine. He took piano lessons from age eight and entered the Paris Conservatoire aged eleven. He composed orchestral pieces, chamber music, piano and choral works, opera and songs, and is considered an impressionist because of his identity with the Art Nouveau movement.
The Trois Chansons, from which today's anthem comes, were published in 1908. The works connect the styles of the past with the harmonic techniques of the time. The texts of these chansons are poems written by Charles d'Orleáns, grandfather of Francis I under whose reign French chansons bloomed in Paris three centuries earlier. Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder! is a shimmering song about love, grace and beauty.
Farewell to Antonio García Fuerte
We are pleased to announce that Antonio has been appointed Assistant Priest at St Barnabas with Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich and Assistant Chaplain at St Christopher’s Hospice. Antonio joined Team St John’s as a training curate after completing his training and being ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in the summer of 2015 - he was ordained priest a year later at St James’s, Sussex Gardens. We will say good-bye to Antonio and Alex and celebrate their time here on Sunday, 24th June. We are sad to see Antonio leave us but wish him well in his new ministry.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Celebrate the 97th birthday of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Monday 11th June
Gather at 10.30am in the foyer of The Victory Services Club, 63-79 Seymour St W2 2HF, www.vsc.co.uk, where Club member Lesley Gray has very kindly arranged for us to enjoy coffee/tea and Danish pastries. At 11.30am we have a short walk to Hyde Park where we watch the 42 Royal Gun Salute to mark His Royal Highness’s birthday. We are then cordially invited to the Vicarage, 18 Somers Crescent, W2 9PN where the Vicar is hosting a champagne and smoked salmon reception to celebrate the occasion. Total cost £20, including a donation to St John’s ministry. Coffee only £5, reception only £15. Please give payment to Margaret, cheques preferred, payable to ‘Margaret Legg’.
Assistant Curate Dan Warnke
St John’s is getting ready for our next assistant curate – Dan Warnke. Dan’s first Sunday will be 8th July but there is plenty to do before then.
The Big Day!
Dan’s ordination as deacon will take place on Saturday, 30th June at 3pm in St Paul’s Cathedral. The ordinations will be conducted by the Bishop of London. All members of the congregation are invited and people should be seated by 2.50pm. It would be helpful to the office to know how many of us intend to support Dan.
First Appointment Grant
St John’s must also provide Dan with a grant to cover the costs of setting up as a clergyman: robes, books, office equipment, etc. This will be £2,468 extra for the first year. If you are able to help us to meet these costs in some way, please contact Bryan Sollenberger or the Vicar.
Summer Barbecue
As part of the celebrations surrounding Dan’s arrival, our summer barbecue this year will be on 8th July, following the 10am service. We are pleased that once again the residents have kindly opened the gardens behind the church to us. Sign up sheets are in the porch – please indicate numbers in your party and what kind of salad you will bring. St John’s provides the meat and dessert. Suggested donations are £5/adult and £2/child.
Invite Dan to Visit
It is customary for a new curate to get to know members of the congregation by visiting people for a cup of tea. If you would like Dan to visit and feel able to tell him something about how you came to live in the area and what brought you to St John’s, then please put your name and telephone number on the sheet at the back of church.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club next meets on 2 July, when they will be discussing Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
Connaught Village Sesquicentenary Celebrations
This year Connaught Village celebrates 150 years. As part of the festivities, they are having A Walk through Time on Thursday, 5th July from 3-7pm. Expect a journey through the ages with food and drink, live music and street entertainment spanning the last 150 years to the current day. The area will be traffic-free for you to enjoy live on-street theatre performances, offers from shops and boutiques and much more. ‘Horrible Histories’ will preform live scenes from their latest stage show Barmy Britain, learn how to dance the Charleston, create your own flapper headband, Punch and Judy, special in store offers in the shops around Connaught Street and much much more.
Connaught Kitchens Bric-a-Brac staff
As part of the festivities, Connaught Kitchens, in Connaught Street, is having a bric-a-brac stall with proceeds going to St John’s. Donations of bric-a-brac to support them are very welcome. Alongside the bric-a-brac, there will also be Victorian games for children, a tombola and other activities. Mark this date in your diaries and come along to celebrate with Connaught Kitchens and the Church Commissioners and to support St John’s.
St John’s Stall
St John’s has been invited to have a stall so we need some volunteers to staff it from 3-7pm. See Bryan Sollenberger if you can help.
Save the Date
Dog Collar Dinner, 14th September 2018
This popular event returns in September. Further details will be released nearer the time but mark your diaries now!
Remembrance Sunday
11th November 2018
Many of you will probably remember the impact of the ceramic poppy display at the Tower of London in November 2014. This year to mark the 100 year anniversary of the end of the Great War, The Remembered Charity are launching 'There but not there'. The idea is that those who gave their lives are remembered by silhouettes or name plates on Remembrance Sunday. Our intention is that as many of St John's roll of remembrance (30) will be represented as possible and we invite congregation members to take part. A name block costs £10 or a torso sized perspex silhouette designed to sit on a chair costs £42. Each of these could be placed on a seat to be amongst us all for our service of remembrance and help ensure that each of them will not be forgotten.
Andrew Moxon will be co-ordinating a list of names from our roll of remembrance so please email him on andymox@hotmail.com if you would like any more details and to check what names are available. More information also available on www.therebutnotthere.org.uk.
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.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Children’s Community Choir
Thursdays, 4.10pm, St John’s Church
The Children’s Community Choir is open for children 6 years old and above. Sessions are 30 minutes long and children will sing different genres of music. If you are interested in bringing your children along please let Robert know.
St James & St John School Gate Gossip
Already one week back at school after the half-term holidays, our children have not wasted any time to get busy again. Besides the class-room training, with increasing temperatures (and despite the poor weather) we have been back this week at Paddington Recreation Ground for a whole school sports day, and we are also working very hard to prepare activities for next week’s Craven Street Fair. Preparations have also begun for the PFA Summer Fair (volunteers still needed). Dates for your diary: PFA pub evening (14th June), Craven Street Fair (16th June.), PFA Summer Fair (06th July.).
Under Five’s Playgroups
An international playgroup aimed at Russian speakers meets in St John’s on Wednesdays at 10am. Another playgroup meets on Thursdays at 10am. Suggested donation for both groups is £2.
