Newsletter - February 2024
Welcome to our Monthly Update!
Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash
In February, we will be entering the season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday on 14th February when will be holding an “Ashing” Service with Communion at 7pm. All are welcome. We often associate Lent with dark days, self-deprivation and a sense of ‘marking time’. But it is also the time for making plans for the year ahead, gathering our strength to serve our church and our God. It is, in fact, a busy season for many churches…
Churches are required to hold their Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) early in the year and at St Philip’s, ours will take place after the service on 17th March in Church. Copies of the annual report and accounts will be provided, in print and online. In a Vacancy, the meeting is chaired by the Churchwardens, assisted as usual by the PCC Secretary. Everybody is welcome to attend the meeting but only those who are on the Electoral Roll at St Philip’s can take part in any decision-making or stand as a member of the PCC (Parochial Church Council).
A revision of the roll takes place every year and a new roll is prepared every 6 years. The 2024 revision will start on 4th February until Sunday 25th February. If you have attended St Philip’s regularly for 6 months or live within the Parish, you can join the roll by completing a form and returning it to Electoral Roll Officer, Michelle Pegley, within these dates. A collection box will be available for completed forms.
During Lent, we also turn our thoughts to those in the greatest need and this year we have decided to support the same two charities as last year – the Redhill Foodbank and ShelterBox’s Tent for Lent appeal which was so well supported by you in 2022 and 2023.
This charity continues to provide tents and other much-needed supplies to homeless people and refugees in war zones and areas struck by natural disasters. We will accept your donations in the usual white envelopes and on the card machine, and all your coffee donations will go to Tent for Lent. More details will follow.
Details of Easter services including Good Friday and Maundy Thursday will be confirmed soon. We are pleased that Archdeacon Moira will be with us on Easter Day.
On her recent visit to St Philip’s, Moira expressed her disappointment that advertising for the next vicar of St Philip’s had not attracted any interest. However, she assured us that re-advertising after Easter will be more successful and has agreed a new recruitment timeline with the churchwardens.
Finally, if you need an incentive to get outside and enjoy nature and fresh air in the winter months, check out the events organised by the Gatton Trust at www.gattonpark.co.uk including their popular “Snowdrop Days”!
