Newsletter - November 2024

October got off to a great start with our Harvest Festival celebration. The church looked wonderful, largely thanks to Sarah’s endless creativity. I was particularly struck by the notion of using a hollowed out pumpkin as a vase. It was great to celebrate Harvest together in my first all-age Eucharist at St Philips, and to think about Jesus’ encouragement not to worry.

Many thanks to all those who brought donations for Redhill Food Bank. Thanks too, to Annie and the Music Group, who had been meeting for three Wednesdays leading up to Harvest – they sang beautifully during the service. Thanks also go to the Holy Dusters who were hard at work on the Wednesday before Harvest, polishing all the pews and woodwork.

Later in the month the church hall was the venue for the Dorking St Martin’s Beaver group’s sleep over. They spent most of the afternoon enjoying Priory Park before returning to the hall for art, crafts, activities and supper, followed by a feast of S’mores outside around the fire pit. I’m not sure how much sleep they had(!), but they were impeccably behaved in church the next morning and it was a pleasure to have them with us. We look forward to welcoming the Brownies for our Remembrance service in November.

On the fourth Friday in October we resumed the monthly Communion service at Abbeyfield. We received a very warm welcome from the residents and it was very special to share the bread and wine together with both the residents and visitors, before enjoying coffee and conversation. Now the clocks have gone back we move into the season of Remembrance and it feels more important than ever to pray for peace in our war-torn world.

Finally, a reminder that if you would like me to pay you a visit, I’d be very happy to do so. Just drop me a line at: vicarspr@gmail.com or phone/text on 07780 144448.