CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
We are delighted that you have chosen to worship with our community this morning. A special welcome to any who are joining us this morning for the first time.
We are pleased that many of the Covid restrictions have now been lifted. We know many are excited at this, but that others feel less so. While we hope there is a more relaxed feeling here at St John’s this morning, we hope that you will understand that we have chosen a gradual process of returning to normality in order that as many people feel comfortable.
You can download an order of service on the Welcome page of the website if you prefer not to use a preprinted copy : https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/ordersofservice .
We still need to take steps to minimise the risks due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, so we are still worshiping with some degree of caution and have drafted a new risk assessment and guidelines for worship. These have been revised to reflect the latest guidance from the Church of England and are on display in the porch and on our website at https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/covid19guidance.
If you are displaying any of the Covid-19 symptoms – high temperature, continuous cough or a change in your normal sense of taste & smell – please do not come into church but self-isolate and arrange for a test.
Sanitiser is available for those wishing to sanitise their hands on entering the building and will be available before taking communion. We are still keeping an attendance register for a few Sundays more if you would like to sign in for track and trace purposes and the NHS QR code is available for those who wish to scan it with the app.
Orders of service have been printed in advance and placed on the chairs on Sunday morning by a member of staff.
At the collection, members of staff wearing face masks will circulate with collection plates. Place your cash or Gift Aid envelope in the plate but do not touch it.
When exchanging the peace, please do so only with others in your immediate vicinity but be respectful of those who may not wish to make physical contact.
For communion, please approach the step to the sanctuary via the central aisle. Sanitiser is available should you wish to sanitise your hands before receiving. Please keep a safe distance from those on either side. The clergy will bring the bread to you and place a wafer in your hand. If you prefer to receive a blessing instead, cross your hands over your chest. After receiving, please return to your seat via one of the side aisles.
At the end of the service, you are free to leave at your leisure. If you feel comfortable, please joins us for a a cup of tea or coffee outside on the forecourt.
CHILDREN AND YOUNG FAMILIES
We are delighted to have so many families with young children as members of our congregation. Over the summer holidays, there is no Kids’ Club so children will stay with their households at all times throughout the service and afterwards when leaving the church. Please do bring along with you anything that your children may need during the service as we are unable to make pew bags, soft toys, books or any other items available.
Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church. If for any reason your child becomes restless or upset during the service, please feel free to use the forecourt as a breakout space.
Each week there is a children’s story and activity on the children’s page on our website: https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/children. Big children as well as smaller ones will find it interesting.
SUMMERTIME SPECIAL SERVICES
Our summer services are led by a cantor and musician and the mass setting is Folk Tunes, using familiar melodies for the Gloria and other sung parts of the service. Choral services resume on Sunday, 5th September.
SCHOOL STARTER SUNDAY
5TH SEPTEMBER, 10AM
Starting school is a big step as our children grow up. On this Sunday we give a blessing to all children starting reception classes this term. They will also receive a St John’s pencil case, and all school-age children will receive a commemorative St John’s wristband.
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.
KEEP CALM! KEEP ALERT! KEEP GIVING!
A very big thank you to all who gave so generously in 2020. It was one of the bright spots of the year. Along with the help of the Lottery Fund and other grants, we survived the year. On behalf of Steve, Gaynor, Ian Nelson and Damon, a huge thank you for your generosity.
Who would have thought, back in the spring of last year when we began to ponder the financial hit to St John’s of the first lockdown, that we would only be easing back into normality now? This obviously brings a renewed uncertainty for life at St John’s for a second year running and, while we make every effort to watch costs and look out for help where it might be available, we ask you to remember that again this year the carpark is not always full and we have been unable to raise money through letting the church and hall. Please continue to help us if you can by contributions either on Sunday mornings in the collection plate or, alternatively, directly to our bank account. Our details are:
Name: St John the Evangelist
Bank: HSBC
Sort Code: 40-11-58
Account #: 80108251
Donations given electronically still qualify for Gift Aid as your name will appear alongside your donation. If you have any questions about giving, please speak to Bryan Sollenberger.
ZOOM EXERCISE CLASS
Zoe Birch runs a free weekly exercise class on Zoom from 11.30am-12noon on Wednesdays. No special equipment is needed – just things that are normally found around the house. To join the meeting, use the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/2426006892?pwd=VXoyR1Y2aHJ0empadXN5NFd3UmpmZz09
Meeting ID: 242 600 6892
Passcode: 154639
ST JOHN’S BOOK CLUB
St John’s Book Club are currently reading The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark. Details about their next meeting to discuss this book will be forthcoming shortly. For further information about the book club, please speak to Michael King.
LIVING IN LOVE AND FAITH: THE COURSE
WEDNESDAYS FROM 22 SEPT UNTIL 20 OCT, 7.30PM
Living in Love and Faith is the Church of England’s project calling on parishes to discuss different perspectives about identity, sexuality, relationships, and marriage. Over five sessions led by Rev Georgina and Michael King, we will reflect on Christian thought about these topics, and collectively feedback into the national conversation. Absolutely everyone is welcome. Email revgeorginaelsey@gmail.com or use the sheet in the porch to sign up. You can find out more about the LLF project on our blog: bit.ly/3jNwlc7
