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.
Summertime Special Services
For our summer services, the musical setting will be familiar folk tunes for the Gloria and other sung parts of the service. This will be combined with a slightly shorter service in that there will be only one reading and no Psalm. We hope that this will be more accommodating of families that are in church while Kids’ Club is on holiday. Normal services resume on Sunday, 1st September.
School Starter Sunday
8th September, 10am
Starting school is the first big step as our children grow up and on this morning we give a blessing to all children starting reception classes this autumn. There will also be a presentation of a St John’s pencil case to all children going into reception. All school age children will receive a commemorative St John’s wristband.
Monthly Wednesday Clubs
There are no meetings in August. Meetings resume in September.
Bible Book Club
Bible book club meets once a month to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the coming Sunday and concludes with Compline. Meetings normally take place on the first Wednesday of the month and the next meeting is on 4th September. For further information, speak to one of the clergy.
The Wednesday Club
This group typically meets on the third Wednesday of the month in The Duke of Kendal pub to discuss everyday ethics and how the things we think and do relate to our understanding of God and faith. The next meeting of this group will be on 18th September. To sign up or for further information, speak to Dan.
St John’s Book Club
St John’s Book Club next meets on 9th September when they will be discussing Rabbit, Run by John Updike. For further information, please speak to Michael King.
SAVE THE DATE
Our annual quiz night returns on Thursday, 3rd October, at 7pm. Form a team of 6-8 or come on your own and join a team on the evening. Tickets are £20 and proceeds will go to the roof appeal to make this year’s loan repayments.
Mid-week Services
St John’s isn’t just a church for Sunday! There are services at 5.30pm Monday to Thursday. Monday’s service is a eucharist and there is a said evensong Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Services take place in the sanctuary and are open to all.
Help Robin Get to Church
Robin Plummer lives just off the Harrow Road a short drive from St John’s and needs help getting to and from church. Would you be willing to help him? There is a rota and you would be expected to help Robin approximately one Sunday per month. One of his carers would come along to help look after him. Coming to church is very special to Robin and helping him get here each week would be a real service to him.
Volunteer with a Cheer!
One of the great strengths of St John’s is the involvement of so many volunteers. Nowhere is this truer than at our Sunday services. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who takes part on the various rotas and in other ways as needed but we are always on the lookout for others who would like to be involved. If you would be willing to read a lesson, lead our prayers, carry the cross & candles, prepare and serve tea & coffee or help out in other ways, Dan and Andre would love to speak with you.
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.
Share a Smile with St John’s
Will you be shopping over the summer for something nice for your holiday or for a birthday or anniversary present? Or as we approach the dreaded c-word in December? Whatever you do, don’t go to Amazon.co.uk! Go instead to smile.amazon.co.uk and raise some money for St John’s. When you log in you can nominate St John’s Hyde Park and then Amazon will donate .5% of the cost of your purchases to us. Feel good about getting some good deals and about supporting your parish church!
Culture Vulture Ventures
Culture Vultures and A Big Gay Night Out
visit to Osborne House, the Isle of Wight, September 2019
"It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot" said Queen Victoria of Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. In the 100th anniversary year of her birth, Culture Vulture Ventures and A big gay night out are joining forces and venturing to the Isle of Wight to visit Queen Victoria’s country home, Osborne House. We are offering 3 options:
i) Saturday 14th September A day trip to Osborne House by train, ferry and bus
ii) Friday 13th – Sunday 15th September A weekend trip, meeting the day trippers at Osborne House and then staying on to enjoy the Island, with B & B accommodation in Sandown for 2 nights
iii) A family option. Either come for the day, travelling there and back with the day trippers, or come for the Saturday and Sunday, linking up with the weekenders at Osborne House and travelling by train/ferry or by your own vehicle
More details from Margaret and Ian Smith
It you are interested in any of the options, please register your interest by using the following form: https://form.jotformeu.com/92014478309357. Make sure you do not include the full stop if cutting and pasting the link into your browser.
An Evening with William Shawcross
Tuesday 17th September 7.00pm at the Vicarage
Meet the Author Evening in aid of St John ‘s high roof works appeal: St John's is very fortunate that parishioner William Shawcross, recently retired chair of the Charities Commission, broadcaster, author and historian has agreed to be the guest of honour at a Meet the Author Evening. All profits from this occasion will go towards the St John’s High Roof Works Appeal. The evening begins with a fizz and canapé reception from 7pm, followed at 7.30pm by the author’s talk on his 2009 book ‘The Queen Mother: The Official Biography’ and a question and answer session. Bring your copy if you would like the author to sign it! A two-course buffet supper with wine will then be served, with an opportunity to speak to William (and ask all those questions which you were too shy to ask earlier!). All this for £48, numbers are limited, with payment to Margaret please, cheques preferred.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
School Gate Gossip
St James & St John is our local Church of England Primary School, located in Craven Terrace, is now on a very well deserved break. They’ve had a fantastic year and we congratulate Head Teacher Mark Hewitt, Deputy Head Liam Peters and all the teachers and support staff on a superb year – we hope they and all the students who have worked so hard enjoy their summer holidays.
St James & St John is a school with a proud history and an aspirational future. It provides both academic and personal development for every child, underpinned by Christian values. To quote Ofsted: "This is a good school. It is strongly supported by parents and carers. The strong provision for development of pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural qualities ensures that pupils are kind to new arrivals and respect one another's values. Progress in English and mathematics is good and this reflects the good teaching and curriculum." Please feel free to visit.
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from 10-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2. The playgroup only meets during term time so will next meet on 5th September.
