Newsletter - September 2023

As summer draws to a close, we need something to cheer us up and what better than pictures of Sunflowers – the brightest and boldest blooms of all! Thank you to all those who have sent in photos and stories of your flowers. It is hard to believe that some of these giants came from seeds planted back in April or May. Even if you didn’t grow a sunflower of your own, we can all enjoy those that are currently attracting the bees in the ‘no dig’ garden by the church hall.

While most of us have been enjoying a break away somewhere, there has still been a lot going on behind the scenes at St Philip’s to prepare for autumn. First Steps, Sunday School and the Tuesday morning coffee group are all set to return this month. The after-school club will be moving back into the hall for the new term. The church and church hall have been thoroughly cleaned and tidied. Thank you to our hall managers and volunteers who are looking after our buildings and shared belongings. Thanks, in particular to our younger helpers who have been hoovering (Illeana & Oliver) and sorting the toys in our busy bags (Thomas & Grace).

The PCC (Parochial Church Council) will meet this month and we will be working on our ‘Parish Profile’ which has been drafted over the summer. This document will eventually be provided to potential applicants to fill the vacancy at St Philip’s and ‘showcases’ all that life at St Philip’s has to offer as well as highlighting the challenges that our new vicar will be tackling in their post. In late October, the PCC will meet again, this time with the Archdeacon and Area Dean, to finalise this document and proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Services have continued over the 6 weeks of the summer thanks to Eileen and Arthur and two visits from Father Doug from Christ the King at Salfords. We are very grateful to them all (and to David for organising all this) and look forward to welcoming more visitors over the autumn.  Archdeacon Moira Astin will be presiding here on 18th September and on 15th October. Rev. Anna Moore from St Matthew’s will be with us on 22nd October.

In just a few weeks, on 1st October, we will be celebrating Harvest and collecting donations, both financial and of food items, for St Matthew’s foodbank. If you are donating groceries, please check their website for a list of the items most urgently needed: www.redhillfoodbank.org.uk

First Steps

First Steps will be meeting on Friday morning (8th). Our pre-schoolers and their carers will be enjoying the story of Noah and his Ark.  If you have a child of this age or have friends that do, it would be lovely if they could join us…by two by two, by three by three or even more, Hurrah!

If you would like to send information or a photo for the next issue or have any questions/comments on the content of this newsletter, please email wardens@stphilipsreigate.com