Newsletter - November 2023
In the church calendar, we are in the last few weeks of “ordinary time’ before the start of Advent. But there are still some key moments for Christians to share as we approach that celebration.
All Saints’ Day and ‘The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed’ on All Souls’ Day are perhaps lesser-known events in the church calendar. All Saint’s Day falls on 1st November and the following Sunday, we give thanks for those whose lives have shown us the grace of God most powerfully at work.
On All Souls’ Day, we remember with thanksgiving, those whom we have known and held dear in our own lives. At St Philip’s this year, we will mark these events with the lighting of a single candle, and prayers for those loved ones we have lost.
Then, on 12th November, we have Remembrance Sunday, another reflective time together when we remember war but pray for peace and consider the importance of not forgetting.
In wearing a poppy and marking the two-minute silence, we will remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Look out for the new ‘no-plastic’ poppies produced by the British Legion this year!
By this time of year, all Parishes (including those ‘in vacancy’) in the Diocese of Southwark have submitted their pledges to the Parish Support Fund. We are asked to make a pledge that is ‘realistic, challenging and generous’. The amount each church is invited to give is based on the level of deprivation in that parish, the size of the congregation and the stipend and housing costs of the vicar (a half-stipend/part-time vicar in the case of St Philip’s) and several other factors.
All churches also share the costs of the clergy support and community ministry provided by the diocese. In the past two years, we have significantly increased our pledges. Over time, we would like to increase the share that we pay so that communities less fortunate than ours can benefit from our generosity. However, we must also be mindful of having enough to pay for buildings repairs, maintenance and running costs, insurances, as well as supporting our chosen charities.
St Philip’s main source of income is your donations, however you choose to make them. The QR code on your pew sheets, the card machine and the yellow envelopes can be used for one-off donations, but please also consider making a monthly contribution through the Parish Giving Scheme by Direct Debit. It is quick and easy to set up and gift-aid is collected automatically, increasing the value of your gifts without additional form-filling! Further information can be found on the noticeboard at the back of church or please have a chat with Tim, our treasurer.
And finally…St Philip’s website will be getting a fresh new look! The site will be a key source of information for anyone applying for the role as our new vicar, but the redesign will also make the site easier to navigate and update. Thanks to all those who give your time and skills to help with projects like this. We are very fortunate at St Philip’s to have a congregation of many talents!
