Newsletter - October 2024

Finally, I’m here! I’m delighted to be your vicar, and very grateful to everyone who has worked so hard during the Vacancy to keep the home fires burning. It’s fantastic to arrive in such a vibrant parish with such a committed team who have been working so hard to ensure that St Philip’s is such a friendly, welcoming church.

As many of you I know, I was inducted and collated (!) in a joyful service on Sunday 8 September, when we were joined by Bishop Christopher and Archdeacon Moira, along with Martin, our Area Dean. It was a wonderful celebration, followed by an equally wonderful reception in the Church Hall. Thank you too, to all the children and young people in Sunday School, who made the fantastic welcome banner which is now displayed on the church noticeboard. I hope you’re all settling happily into the new school term.

The following weekend saw several familiar faces from St Philip’s gathering at Abbeyfield to celebrate the 100th birthday of Elizabeth Shroff, who is an inspiration to us all. In church Elizabeth was presented with a large print hymn book to mark this magnificent milestone.

In September we’ve also celebrated the 20th anniversary of our First Steps mothers and toddlers group, which was started by Eileen Stanghan. Sadly Eileen couldn’t be there due to a heavy cold, but she was much in our thoughts and prayers as we introduced the children to “Teddy First Steps”.

Both my Mum and I received a very warm welcome to the Tuesday morning coffee and chat group and we are both now regulars. If you’ve not yet been, I highly recommend it – great company and conversation, good coffee and delicious baked goods. Oh, and a raffle – what’s not to love?!

We’re now approaching Harvest, which we’ll be celebrating in church on Sunday 6th October. Once again, we’ll be collecting donations for Redhill Food Bank. Please check their shopping list at www.redhillfoodbank.org.uk.

Now I’m in post we are making arrangements to resume regular services at Abbeyfield Care Home and Reigate Grange. We’ll also be reinstating the 8am BCP Communion on the first Sunday of the month, starting on 3 November.

Finally, 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