Newsletter - April 2026
As I write this, we are journeying through Holy Week, remembering the events leading up to Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection. Our Music Group has been meeting to practice the hymns for our Holy Week and Easter services. It’s a small but enthusiastic group, ably led by our organist (and Churchwarden) Annie. We meet weekly for three weeks leading up to major festivals in the Church’s year and are always happy to welcome new members. You don’t need to be able to read music and there is no audition, so please speak to Lindsay or Annie if you’d like to join.
Saturday 14 March was a joyous day, when we married Hannah Cooke and Tom Francis, and baptised their two children, Albert and Aurelia. After a wet and blustery few days, we awoke to glorious sunshine for this special family celebration. The next day was Mothering Sunday, when we gave thanks for Mother God, Mother Church and Mother Earth and the children distributed posies of spring flowers to their mothers, grandmothers, Godmothers and carers.
We held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 22nd March. At this meeting we presented our Annual Report – a review of 2025 in the life of St Philip’s, reporting on the work of our many church groups. The Annual Report can be viewed on our website. I’m delighted that Annie Hilder and David Collett were both willing to stay on as Churchwardens. They have both been elected to serve for the coming year and we are very grateful to them for their commitment to the life of St Philip’s.
Don’t forget our Easter services, advertised on the new banner outside the church. On Maundy Thursday there is a Eucharist with the washing of feet at 7pm. On Good Friday there is The Last Hour at 2pm and then our Family Eucharist at 10am on Easter Day. The Easter Day service is made especially joyful by the ringing of bells every time the word Alleluia is said or heard!
One final date – this year our extremely popular Quiz Night will be on Saturday 20 June, so do put the date in your diary now.
We wish you a blessed, joyful and peaceful Easter.
