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.
Just when you thought it was becoming safer, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 makes its appearance so we are working to keep you safe in church. We have revised our risk assessment and guidelines for worship in line with the latest guidance from the government and the Church of England and are on display in the porch and on our website at https://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/covid19guidance.
First and foremost, if you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, especially a high temperature, a continuous cough and/or a change in your normal sense of taste and smell, please do not come to church but self-isolate and arrange for a test.
Facemasks are mandatory once again, although you can lower them to sing and to take communion. In order to lower risk, all hospitality will be served outside on the forecourt. We keep an attendance register for those who would like to register for track and trace purposes and the NHS QR code is available for those who wish to scan it with the app.
When exchanging the peace, please do so only with others in your immediate vicinity and do 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 after touching the edge to the wine. 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.
Children and Young Families
We are delighted to have so many families with young children as members of our congregation. Kids’ Club does not meet this morning but resumes next week, 2nd January, in the hall. Toilets with changing facilities are available near the entrance of the church.
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!
In the midst of the uncertainties of Covid, we are very grateful for all who have been steady in their financial support during the last two years! 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 still not be back into normality by 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.
St John’s Late
St John’s Late begins its winter series this evening with a contemplative candlelit Compline at 7pm. It is preceded by a light supper at 6pm. The anthem for this service will be Gibbons’ Almighty and Everlasting God.
Services on the following Sunday evenings are:
30th January, 6pm
Jazz Mass
The setting for this popular service is Chilcott’s Nidaros Mass with the anthem Light of the Word, by Daigle.
6th February
No service
13th February, 6pm
Evensong
A traditional sung service to end the day. The responses are by Smith with the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C by Stanford. Our guest preacher this evening will be The Reverend Lindsay Meader, chaplain to the West End Theatres. Lindsay graduated in Drama from the University of Durham. After several years working in marketing and public relations, she was ordained in 2001. In 2005 she moved to London to become Associate Rector at St James’s, Piccadilly. She was chaplain to Apollo, Palace and Victoria Palace Theatres before becoming Senior Chaplain of Theatre Chaplaincy in 2012. In 2019 she moved on from St James’s to become Lead Theatre Chaplain for the Diocese of London.
20th February, 7pm
Compline
A quiet contemplative service by candlelight. The anthem is O Nata Lux by Thomas Tallis. The service is preceded by a light supper at 6pm.
27th February, 6pm
Jazz Mass
The final Late before we begin our Lent observance is appropriately a jazz mass. The setting is Missa Festiva by J Leavitt with the anthem This Little Light of Mine, arranged by Gerlitz.
Bishop of London to Visit St John’s
We are pleased that the Bishop of London will be at St John’s on Sunday, 30th January, when she will preach and preside at the 10am service. This will be a very special occasion so do mark this date in your diaries.
BIBLE BOOK CLUB
Wednesday 2nd February, 7.30pm
Bible book club is meeting in the Curatage before Lent to read and to discuss the gospel reading for the next Sunday and conclude with Compline. If you would like to be put on our mailing list for details of Wednesday evenings and educational events, please speak to The Rev’d Georgina.
